As we know that Microsoft is releasing the next version of Windows ie. Windows 11 this year. Previously Windows 11 was available Dev Channel, now it is available in Beta channel as well. Not only that it is available to download using Windows 11 insider preview iso download.
Windows 11 can be installed as a fresh install. Upgrading to windows 11 which is also known as In-place upgrade, can be done on Windows 10 OS.. But all devices cannot be upgraded to Windows 11, there are specific Windows 11 requirements. Follow the link for Windows 11 compatibility test.
Easiest way to get Windows 11 is to join Windows Insider Program. To join the insider program go to Settings > Update & Security > Windows Insider Program.
There are 3 channels available:
- Dev Channel
- Beta Channel
- Release Preview Channel
The good news is that you can get windows 11 using Configuration manager ( SCCM / MECM) by enabling pre-release windows 10 features, and is also available with Windows Server Update Services (WSUS) as well.
Microsoft has made one specific change with releasing Windows 11 feature update, they will be releasing feature updates once per year as compared to Windows 10 releasing twice per year.
Download Windows 11 ISO
Navigate to Windows Insider ISO page¸ scoll down till you see Select edition section, following Windows 11 options are available to download:
- Windows 11 Insider Preview (Dev Channel) – Build 22000.132
- Windows 11 Insider Preview (Beta Channel) – Build 22000.132
- Windows 11 Insider Preview Enterprise (Dev Channel) – Build 22000.132
- Windows 11 Insider Preview Enterprise (Beta Channel) – Build 22000.132
- Windows 11 Insider Preview Home China (Dev Channel) – Build 22000.132
- Windows 11 Insider Preview Home China (Beta Channel) – Build 22000.132
I am going with downloading Enterprise edition (Beta Channel).
Select the Product Language and it will provide you a link to download which is valid for 24 hours.
Windows 11 media creation tool
Once we have ISO downloaded, we can mount and extract the content if we are doing In-place upgrade. On virtual machines, we can mount the ISO. But for physical system we need to create a bootable USB with Windows 11 binaries.
For Windows 11 media creation tool, we can use a small program with the name Rufus. The application is a small utility of a size around 1MB only, this also comes in portable version also where you don’t need to install it.
Once downloaded, launch Rufus (latest version while downloading it was Rufus 3.15.1812).
Once USB is inserted to the system, we can see it under Device section, next you need to select the ISO, click on Select to get the ISO selected as Boot selection.
Once selected, we can see other options will be automatically be populated based upon the best configuration we need. Under Partition scheme option selected is GPT which is most appropriate for UEFI devices which are in use nowadays. MBR option should not be selected as it is valid for legacy device. Click on Start to create bootable USB.
Once USB is created, we are ready to build Windows 11.
Install Windows 11
Boot the system with Bootable ISO / USB.
Once Windows Setup window is launch, click Next.
Click Install now to proceed.
We will see following options under operating system you want to install:
- Windows 11 Education
- Windows 11 Education N
- Windows Enterprise
- Windows Enterprise N
- Windows 11 Pro
- Windows 11 Pro N
- Windows 11 Pro Education
- Windows 11 Pro Education N
- Windows 11 Pro for Workstations
- Windows 11 Pro N for Workstations
I have selected Windows Enterprise, click Next.
On Applicable notices and license terms, check the box I accept.
On Which type of installation do you want page, select Custom as we are going to do a clean Windows 11 install.
On Where do you want to install Windows page, click Next. It will create the partition automatically as required for UEFI devices.
Windows installation will be in progress which will go through various phases:
- Copying Windows files
- Getting files ready for installation
- Installing features
- Installing updates
- Finishing up
System will reboot during this process with Getting ready message which means system is preparing installing drivers and other stuff.
You will see country / region selection page, select it and click Yes.
On keyboard layout page, click Yes.
On second keyboard layout selection, click Skip.
As my device is not connected to internet, I have only option available as I don’t have internet, select it.
On Connect now page, select Continue with limited setup.
On sign into your device page, provide the name, click Next.
On Password page, provide the password and click next.
Next page will precent you with add security questions, you have to provide 3 security question and answers, once done click Next.
On Privacy settings page, click Next and Accept.
Your profile will now create, give it a time to create and load it.
And here we are, nice and beautiful looking Windows 11 with start menu in the center, round edges with beautiful color scheme, nice windows 11 startup sound.