In short: Windows 11 Pro is installed from a USB drive created with Microsoft's Media Creation Tool, then activated by entering your 25-character product key in Settings > System > Activation. Your PC must support TPM 2.0 and Secure Boot.
Before you start
Check that your PC meets the Windows 11 Pro system requirements:
| Processor | 1 GHz or faster with 2 or more cores, on a compatible 64-bit processor or system on a chip (SoC) |
|---|---|
| RAM | 4 GB |
| Storage | 64 GB or larger |
| Firmware | UEFI with Secure Boot capability |
| TPM | Trusted Platform Module (TPM) version 2.0 |
| Graphics | DirectX 12 or later with a WDDM 2.0 driver |
| Display | 720p, larger than 9 inches diagonally, 8 bits per colour channel |
| You will also need | A USB flash drive with at least 8 GB, an internet connection, a Microsoft account for setup, and your Windows 11 Pro product key |
Back up your files first. A clean installation erases the drive you install Windows on.
Step 1: Create a bootable USB drive
- On any working Windows PC, open Microsoft's Windows 11 download page and download the Media Creation Tool.
- Run the tool and click Accept on the licence terms.
- Confirm the language and edition, then click Next.
- Select USB flash drive, choose your drive from the list, and click Next. The tool downloads Windows 11 and copies it to the USB drive.
Note: Everything on the USB drive is deleted during this step.
Step 2: Boot the PC from the USB drive
- Insert the USB drive into the PC where you want to install Windows 11 Pro.
- Restart the PC and open the boot menu. The key is usually F12, F11, F2, Esc or Del, depending on the manufacturer.
- Select the USB drive. If it is not listed, open the BIOS or UEFI settings and move the USB drive to the top of the boot order, then save and restart.
Step 3: Install Windows 11 Pro
- Choose your language and keyboard settings, then click Next.
- Select Install Windows 11 and confirm that you understand files on the target drive will be deleted.
- On the product key screen, enter your key now, or click I don't have a product key to activate after installation.
- If Setup asks which edition to install, select Windows 11 Pro.
- Accept the licence terms, select the drive to install on, and click Next. The PC restarts several times while Windows installs.
- Follow the on-screen setup to sign in and choose your privacy settings.
Step 4: Activate Windows 11 Pro
- Connect the PC to the internet.
- Press Windows + I to open Settings, then go to System > Activation.
- Next to Change product key, click Change.
- Enter the 25-character key from your Msckey order email and click Next, then Activate.
- Go to Windows Update and install any available updates.
Already running Windows 11 Home? You don't need to reinstall. Follow our guide to upgrade from Windows 11 Home to Pro with a Pro key.
If activation fails
- Check the edition. A Windows 11 Pro key only activates Windows 11 Pro. If Settings shows Windows 11 Home, entering the Pro key upgrades the edition first.
- Check the key. Copy it directly from your order email to avoid typing errors.
-
Phone activation keys: press Windows + R, type
slui 4, choose your country, and use the Installation ID on our Get Confirmation ID page. - Still stuck? Email support@msckey.com with your order number and a screenshot of the error.
Need a Windows 11 Pro key?
Msckey sells genuine Windows 11 Pro licence keys delivered by email, usually within 1 to 24 hours of payment confirmation.
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