How to clean install Windows 11 25H2

To clean install Windows 11 25H2, download the official 25H2 ISO and create a bootable USB using the Media Creation Tool or Rufus.
Start the computer with the USB installer, select the “Install Windows 11” option, delete the partition, and continue with the setup.
You’ll also have to complete the initial setup to create an account and choose your privacy settings.
If you want to download version 25H2 ahead of its official release, you can only use the Windows Insider Program support page.

Windows 11 25H2 (2025 Update) is the next major refresh of the operating system, scheduled for release in October 2025, and you can perform a clean installation using a USB bootable flash drive on compatible hardware.

If you’re upgrading from version 24H2, you don’t need to perform a complete reinstallation. You can simply use the “Windows Update” settings since both versions are identical, and the upgrade using the enablement package only takes a few minutes.

On the other hand, if you’re coming from version 23H2 or an older release, you perform an in-place upgrade. However, I always prefer a fresh installation, as modifying the current setup can cause problems and unexpected errors due to compatibility issues and custom system configurations.

When you choose a fresh installation, you’re likely to encounter fewer problems because you will be deleting everything on the drive and applying a new, clean copy of the operating system. Additionally, if you have had the same setup for many months, this approach can resolve existing issues, improve performance, and optimize memory usage.

Microsoft supports multiple methods for installing the operating system, but the best approach is to use a USB flash drive, which can be created using the Media Creation Tool or third-party utilities such as Rufus or Ventoy.

In this guide, I’ll outline the steps to set up Windows 11 25H2 as a clean installation using a bootable USB flash drive on a new computer or existing device with or without an operating system already installed.

Clean install Windows 11 25H2 from USB
FAQs about installing Windows 11 25H2

Important: This process will delete everything on your device, so it’s recommended that you make a full backup of your computer before proceeding. You’ve been warned.

Clean install Windows 11 25H2 from USB

The installation is a three-step process, which involves downloading the Windows 11 25H2 ISO file, creating a USB bootable media, and then proceeding with the setup.

Additionally, you must ensure the computer can start from a USB flash drive, which may require changing the Unified Extensible Firmware Interface (UEFI) settings on the motherboard. Since firmware settings vary by computer, you want to refer to your manufacturer’s support website for more specific details.

1. Download Windows 11 25H2 ISO file

Currently, you can only download the ISO file from the Windows Insider Program. Once the new version becomes officially available for everyone, you can use the official Microsoft download page to download the image. If you attempt to download the ISO file from Microsoft before version 25H2 is released, you’ll install version 24H2 instead.

Before the version 25H2 release

To download the official Windows 11 25H2 ISO from the Windows Insider Program page, follow these steps:

Open the Windows Insider Preview Downloads page.
Sign in with your Microsoft account credentials.
Choose the “Windows 11 Insider Preview (Release Preview Channel) – Build 26200.xxxx” option in the “Select edition” setting.
Click the Confirm button.
Select the product language.
Click the Confirm button.
Click the 64-bit Download button.

Once you complete the steps, the final ISO for Windows 11 25H2 (build 26200.xxxx) will be downloaded to your computer. You can continue with the instructions below to use the Rufus tool to create bootable USB media.

After the version 25H2 release

To download the official Windows 11 25H2 ISO file, use these steps:

Open the Microsoft Support website.
Select the Windows 11 option under the “Download Windows 11 Disk Image (ISO) for x64 devices” section.
Click the Confirm button.
Select the installation language.
Click the Confirm button.
Click the Download button to save the Windows 11 25H2 ISO file on the computer.

After completing the steps, you can use the ISO file to create a bootable USB drive.

If you plan to set up a virtual machine, you can mount the ISO file directly into the hypervisor to proceed with the installation. Otherwise, continue with the steps to create a bootable USB flash drive.

2. Create Windows 11 25H2 bootable media

To create a bootable USB with Rufus to install Windows 11 25H2, use these steps:

Open the Rufus website.
Click the link to download the latest version under the “Download” section.
Double-click the rufus.x.xx.exe file to launch the tool.
Select the USB flash drive from the drop-down menu under the “Device” section to create Windows 11 bootable media.
Click the Select button.
Select the Windows 11 25H2 ISO file.
Click the Open button.
Select the “Standard Windows 11 Installation” option under the “Image option” setting.
Select the GPT option under the “Partition scheme” section.
Choose the UEFI (non-CSM) option under the “Target system” section.
Specify a descriptive name for the bootable USB drive in the “Volume label” section—for example, “Windows 11 25H2 Setup”.
Use the default settings for the File system and Cluster size options.
Check the Quick format option.
Check the “Create extended label and icon files” option.
Click the Start button.
Clear all the checked options if the computer is compatible with Windows 11.

Quick note: Check the “Remove requirement for 4GB+ RAM, Secure Boot and TPM 2.0” and “Remove requirement for an online Microsoft account” options to create a USB media for unsupported hardware.
Click the Start button.
Click the OK button to confirm the deletion of the USB drive and the creation of the bootable drive.

Once you complete the steps, the tool will begin creating a bootable media with the installation files.

3. Clean install Windows 11 25H2 from USB

To perform a clean install of Windows 11 25H2 from a bootable USB media, follow these steps:

Start the PC with the Windows 11 25H2 USB flash drive.
Press any key to continue.
Choose the installation language and format.
Click the Next button.
Choose the keyboard and input method.
Click the Next button.
Select the “Install Windows 11” option.
Check the “I agree everything” option to confirm that this process will delete everything on the computer.
Click the “I don’t have a product key” option.

Quick note: The computer will activate automatically after reinstallation. If this is a new computer, you must provide a product key. You can always provide the product key to activate later through the Settings app.
Select the edition of “Windows 11” your license key activates (if applicable).
Click the Next button.
Click the Accept button
Select each partition on the hard drive where you want to install Windows 11 25H2 and click the Delete button. (Usually, “Drive 0” is the drive that contains all the installation files.)
Select the hard drive (Drive 0 Unallocated Space) to install the operating system.
Click the Next button.
Click the Install button.
Choose your region setting on the first page of the out-of-the-box experience (OOBE) after the installation.
Click the Yes button.
Select your keyboard layout setting.
Click the Yes button.
Click the Skip button if you do not need to configure a second layout.
The computer will automatically connect to the network using an Ethernet connection. You must set up the connection manually on a wireless connection (a security key may be required).
(Optional) Confirm a name for the computer.
Click the Next button. (The device will restart automatically.)
Select the “Set up for personal use” option for Windows 11 Pro. This option is not available for the “Home” edition.
Click the Next button.
Click the Sign in button.
Confirm your Microsoft account email to create a Windows 11 account.
Click the Next button.
Confirm your Microsoft account password.
Click the Next button.
Click the Create PIN button.
Create a new four-digit Windows Hello PIN.
Click the OK button.
Choose your privacy setting that best suits your preferences.
Click the Next button.
Click the Next button again.
Click the Accept button.
Click the More options setting.

Quick tip: You can also click the “Restore from this PC” button to restore your files, apps, settings, and credentials from the system backup available in your OneDrive account. You can learn more about the Windows Backup app in this guide.
Click the “Set up as a new PC” option.
Click the “Set up as a new PC” option again.
(Optional) On the “Let’s customize your experience” page, select one or more ways you plan to use the device to allow the operating system to suggest tools and service customization during this experience.
Click the Accept button to continue. Or click the Skip button to skip this part of the setup.
(Optional) Use the code to link your Android phone or click the Skip option.
(Optional) Use the code to download the OneDrive on your phone or click the Skip option.
Click the “Not now” button if you will be using a browser other than Microsoft Edge.

Once you complete the steps, Windows 11 25H2 will finish the clean installation on the computer.

After the installation, you’ll have to restore your files from backup and reinstall your applications. It’s also a good practice to check for updates and make sure the device has the latest driver updates.

FAQs about installing Windows 11 25H2

Here’s a list of frequently asked questions (FAQs) and answers regarding the installation of this new version of the operating system.

When will Windows 11 25H2 be available to everyone?

Microsoft expects general availability in late September or early October 2025, with a phased rollout.

Will support for version 24H2 end immediately once I upgrade?

No. Support cycles overlap. Windows 11 24H2 remains supported until its lifecycle ends in October 2026. Upgrading to version 25H2 resets support for your edition until 2027.

What exactly is an enablement package in version 25H2?

It’s a minor update that enables dormant features already included in version 24H2’s codebase. You don’t need a full reinstallation. You just need to apply the enablement package and restart to switch versions.

Are there any performance improvements over version 24H2?

Early benchmarks indicate that performance remains virtually unchanged, with no significant gains in speed. The update primarily focuses on packaging, support, and cleaning up legacy components.

Will all computers get the same features?

Not necessarily. Some features may require newer hardware (for example, Copilot+ PCs). Also, features in 25H2 are shared with 24H2, but their rollout may be gradual.

What’s the difference between Windows 11 25H2 and version 24H2?

Windows 11 25H2 and version 24H2 both share the same core file system, meaning that the operating systems are virtually identical.

Furthermore, Microsoft plans to continue releasing the same features and changes for both versions. However, at some point (when version 24H2 gets closer to the end of support), the company will start rolling out improvements only for version 25H2.

What happens if I’m on an older release (such as version 23H2 or Windows 10)?

If you’re on Windows 11 23H2 or Windows 10 22H2, you’ll first need to upgrade to version 24H2. Then, the upgrade option for version 25H2 will become available through the “Windows Update” settings.

Do I need to perform a clean installation of version 25H2 if my PC is on version 24H2?

No. You don’t need to reinstall the operating system. You only need to install the enablement package through the “Windows Update” settings to switch to the newer version.

Will the clean installation process delete my data?

Yes. A clean installation implies erasing everything on the computer to apply a fresh copy of the operating system. It’s recommended to create a full backup before proceeding.

Does Windows 11 25H2 come with SSD issues?

No. It has already been discovered that the problem with the SSDs wasn’t caused by a bug in a cumulative update of Windows 11. Instead, the root of the issues was traced back to buggy pre-release firmware on specific storage devices.

Do I need to upgrade my PC to version 25H2?

It depends. If you’re already running version 24H2, you don’t necessarily have to upgrade immediately. You can apply the feature update at any time. However, you should not skip this version as it’ll renew the support for another 24 months.

If you’re on version 23H2, it’s recommended that you upgrade to at least version 24H2, and then to version 25H2. The reason is that the support for Windows 11 23H2 will end in November 2025.

How long does the clean installation process take?

The time it takes to perform a clean installation of Windows 11 can vary significantly. However, the core installation typically takes between 30 and 60 minutes.