How to Reinstall Windows from USB (Only If Needed)

A clean install from USB clears out leftover drivers, anti-cheats and broken settings that a reset from inside Windows keeps. Use an official Windows image. We don't support modified or "lite" builds.

What you need

• A USB stick with at least 8 GB. It will be wiped.
• A working PC with internet access to prepare the stick.
• About an hour.

Part 1: Download the Windows ISO

Microsoft's own page is at microsoft.com/software-download/windows11. If you need a specific build or language, os.click is an easy way to get official ISOs:

1. Go to os.click.

   

2. Click GET MY ISO and choose Windows as the family.

   

3. Pick the version, for example Windows 11.

   

4. Choose the build, edition and language, then download the ISO somewhere easy to find.

Part 2: Make a bootable USB with Rufus

1. Download Rufus from rufus.ie and run it. Nothing needs installing.

2. Set it up like this:

   Option	Value
   Device	your USB stick
   Boot selection	SELECT → your Windows ISO
   Partition scheme	GPT for modern PCs (MBR only for very old ones)
   Target system	UEFI (non CSM)
   File system	NTFS
   Cluster size	default

   

3. Click START and confirm that the stick will be erased.

   

4. Wait until the progress bar is fully green and shows READY.

Part 3: Install Windows

1. Plug the USB stick into the PC you're reinstalling.

2. Restart and open the BIOS/UEFI. The key is usually Del, F2, F10 or Esc. Your motherboard manual has the exact one.

3. In the Boot section, move the USB stick to the top.

   

4. Save and exit. The PC boots from the stick into Windows Setup.

   

5. Follow the setup. You can choose to keep your personal files. Windows restarts a few times before you set up your account.

After the reinstall

A fresh Windows install changes your hardware ID, so reset your license's HWID first. Then go through the requirements again before you start the loader: Visual C++, Defender, Memory Integrity and anti-cheats.