Clean install Windows 11 on a Copilot+ PC (ARM64)

• Clean install Windows 11 on Copilot+ PC devices by downloading the ARM64 ISO, creating a bootable USB drive, and starting the computer from the USB to begin setup.
• The process wipes the drive completely, removes all apps and files, and reinstalls a fresh version of Windows 11.
• It delivers the cleanest, most stable installation for ARM-based Copilot+ systems.

A clean installation of Windows 11 on a Copilot+ PC is not much different than the same process on a traditional computer, but if you have a device featuring an ARM-based Qualcomm Snapdragon processor (such as Surface Laptop 7th Edition and Surface Pro 11th Edition), you’ll have to download a special version of the installation files, and the Out-of-box Experience (OOBE) will be slightly different.

At its core, a clean installation on any computer means wiping your hard drive and installing a fresh copy of the operating system. This process removes everything, including custom settings, drivers, apps, and personal files, giving your laptop or desktop a fresh start.

Usually, this installation method is the best way to upgrade to the latest version of Windows 11. It helps prevent installation errors and fixes existing system issues. If your Copilot+ PC has been running the same setup for a long time, a clean installation can resolve performance slowdowns, boot and shutdown problems, memory issues, and app crashes. It also lets you remove annoying bloatware that may have been preinstalled in your manufacturer’s default setup.

Will I lose your files?

Yes, since a clean installation erases everything, you will lose all your personal files, apps, and settings unless you back them up first:

• Back up your files — Save personal documents, photos, and other important data to an external drive or cloud storage (such as OneDrive or Google Drive). You can also perform a full backup of the current setup to an external storage.
• Note your installed apps – Generate a list of essential programs so you can reinstall them later.
• Save your product keys and passwords – Ensure you have access to software licenses, email accounts, and other important credentials.

Are all Copilot+ PC created equal?

No. The designation “Copilot+ PC” simply means the machine meets Microsoft’s minimum hardware requirements. Primarily, a dedicated Neural Processing Unit (NPU) capable of at least 40 Trillion Operations Per Second (TOPS) to perform AI tasks.

However, there are two architecture types, including arm64 and x86. The arm64 architecture is found on Qualcomm Snapdragon X Elite and Plus processors, and the x86 architecture is found in Intel Core Ultra and AMD Ryzen AI processors. Since these architectures are different, they’re not compatible, and both require specific versions of the operating system.

These instructions focus on installing the operating system on ARM-based devices. If your Copilot+ PC has an Intel or AMD processor, you can use the regular steps to perform a clean installation of Windows 11.

In this guide, I will cover every step to install Windows 11 25H2 on your Copilot+ PC. 

• Clean install Windows 11 from USB
• FAQs about the Windows 11 clean install process

Clean install Windows 11 on a Copilot+ PC from USB

The Windows 11 clean installation is a three-step process. First, download the official arm64 version of the ISO file. Second, you have to create a USB bootable media, and third, you have to proceed with the actual installation.

Step 1: Download the Windows 11 ISO file for arm64

To download the ISO file of Windows 11 for arm64, use these steps:

1. Open the Microsoft Support website.

2. Select the “Windows 11 (multi-edition ISO for Arm64)” option under the “Download Windows 11 Disk Image (ISO) for Arm64-based PCs” section.

   

3. Click the Download button.

4. Select the installation language.

   

5. Click the Confirm button.

6. Click the Download button to save the ISO file for version 23H2 to your computer.

   

After downloading the ISO file, you’ll have to create the bootable USB flash drive.

Step 2: Create a Windows 11 arm64 USB bootable drive 

To create a USB bootable for Windows 11 for Copilot+ PC, follow these steps:

1. Open the Rufus website.

2. Click the link to download the latest version under the “Download” section.

3. Double-click the executable to launch the tool.

4. Click the Select button.

   

5. Open the ISO file location.

6. Select the Windows 11 ISO file for arm64.

7. Click the Open button.

8. Continue with the default settings to create the bootable media.

9. (Optional) Confirm a descriptive name for the USB drive, such as “Windows 11 USB for Copilot+ PC.”

10. Click the Start button.

11. Click the OK button to skip the customization settings (if applicable).

12. Click the OK button to confirm the deletion of the USB drive data.

Once you complete the steps, you can use the bootable USB flash drive to install Windows 11 on ARM-based devices.

Step 3: Perform a clean installation of Windows 11

If you choose this method, you’ll also need to ensure that your computer can boot from a USB flash drive. This may require changing the UEFI (also known as BIOS) settings. Since every computer is different, check your manufacturer’s support website for specific steps on accessing and adjusting these settings.

To do a clean install of Windows 11 on your Copilot+ PC from a USB, follow these steps:  

1. Start the Copilot+ PC with the Windows 11 USB flash drive.

2. Press any key to continue.

3. Choose the installation language and format.

   

4. Click the Next button.

5. Choose the keyboard and input method.

   

6. Click the Next button.

7. Select the “Install Windows 11” option.

   

8. Check the “I agree everything will be deleted including files, apps, and settings” option to confirm this process will delete everything on the computer.

9. Click the Next button.

10. Click the “I don’t have a product key” option.

    

    Quick note: The computer will activate automatically when a reinstallation is performed. If this is a new computer, you will have to provide a product key. You can always provide the product key to activate later through the Settings app.

11. Select the edition of “Windows 11” your license key activates (if applicable).

    

12. Click the Next button.

13. Click the Accept button

14. Select each partition on the hard drive where you want to install Windows 11 and click the Delete button. (Usually, “Drive 0” is the drive that contains all the installation files.)

    

15. Select the hard drive (Drive 0 Unallocated Space) to install the operating system.

    

16. Click the Next button.

17. Click the Install button.

    

18. Choose your region setting on the first page of the out-of-the-box experience (OOBE) after the installation.

    Quick note: Microsoft is always making changes and testing new ways to complete the initial setup. For this reason, some of the following steps may appear in a different order, and you may encounter additional screens.

    

19. Click the Yes button.

20. Select your keyboard layout setting.

    

21. Click the Yes button.

22. Click the Skip button if you do not need to configure a second layout.

23. Select the wireless access point from the list.

24. Confirm the Wi-Fi password to connect to the internet.

25. Click the Next button.

26. Click the Next button one more time.

27. (Optional) Confirm a name for the computer.

    

    Quick note: This is an optional step, but it’s highly recommended to set a name to make it easier to identify the device in the network, on your Microsoft account, and when restoring your computer from backup. Also, after completing this step, the setup will restart to apply the new name, but it’ll start where you left off to continue with the settings.

28. Click the Next button. (The device will restart automatically.)

29. Select the “Set up for personal use” option for Windows 11 Pro. This option is not available for the “Home” edition.

    

    Quick tip: Use the “Set up for work or school” option to skip the Microsoft account and create a local account.

30. Click the Next button.

31. Click the Sign in button.

32. Confirm your Microsoft account email to create a Windows 11 account.

    

33. Click the Next button.

34. Confirm your Microsoft account password.

35. Click the Next button.

36. Click the “Yes, set up” button to configure the face recognition authentication method.

37. Continue with the on-screen directions to complete the Windows Hello Face setup.

38. Click the Next button.

39. Click the Create PIN button to configure a second authentication method in case face recognition fails.

40. Create a new four-digit Windows Hello PIN.

    

41. Click the OK button.

42. Turn on or off the toggle switch for each privacy setting to confirm the one that best suits your situation.

43. Click the Next button.

44. Click the Next button again.

45. Click the Accept button.

    

46. 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.

47. Click the “Set up as a new PC” option.

    

48. Click the “Set up as a new PC” option again.

49. (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.

    

50. Click the Accept button to continue. Or click the Skip button to skip this part of the setup.

51. (Optional) Use the code to link your Android phone or click the Skip option.

52. (Optional) Use the code to download the OneDrive app on your phone or click the Skip option.

53. Click the “Not now” button if you will be using a browser other than Microsoft Edge.

    

54. (Optional) Click the “Yes, save” or the “No, don’t save” button to enable or disable the Recall AI feature. 

Once you complete the steps, Windows 11 will finish the clean installation on your Copilot+ PC.

After the installation, it’s important to check for updates through the “Windows Update” settings and use “Device Manager” to ensure that all the drivers are correctly installed.

If one or more drivers are missing, you can use the “Optional updates” settings to download the latest drivers. Alternatively, you’ll have to download any missing packages from the manufacturer’s support website.

FAQs about the Windows 11 on a Copilot+ PC clean install process

Here’s a list of common questions and answers about the process for performing a clean install of the operating system on an AI-powered computer.

What should I do if my computer doesn’t boot from the USB drive?

If the device doesn’t start from the USB bootable media, you must configure the UEFI (BIOS) and change the boot order to start from USB. Some devices also feature a boot menu that you can open during startup using one of the functions or the ESC key, allowing you to start the device from a USB bootable media. 

If the computer is configured to boot from USB, but you can’t access the Windows Setup, it’s likely that the installation media or USB flash drive is broken. In this case, you can recreate the bootable media using another flash drive.

How can I ensure all data is completely erased before installing Windows 11?

To ensure that the data is completely erased, you must reformat the drive. You don’t need any special tools. If you’re using the USB bootable media, after deleting the partition, create a new partition using the entire space and then use the “Format Partition” option.

Are there any risks associated with doing a clean install of Windows 11?

Yes, during a clean installation, everything on the hard drive will be deleted. This means that if you don’t back up your files, you won’t be able to recover them unless you use a cloud storage service.

You cannot undo the process. Once you start the installation, the setup will delete all existing files. The only way to recover is to use a full backup that you may have created before proceeding with these steps.

How do I reset the TPM after a clean install of Windows 11?

Typically, you don’t need to reset the computer’s Trusted Platform Module (TPM) chip in its firmware. Actually, during installation, the system will automatically enable encryption, and Windows Hello information will be saved in the TPM.

What’s the difference between a clean install and an upgrade?

A clean installation removes everything from your hard drive (apps, files, settings, and drivers) before reinstalling Windows 11, giving you a completely fresh system. An upgrade keeps your files and apps while installing a newer version of Windows. A clean install is preferred if you want maximum stability or to fix deep system issues.

Can I perform a clean install of Windows 11 without losing activation?

Yes. If Windows 11 was previously activated on your Copilot+ PC, it will reactivate automatically once you connect to the internet after reinstalling. You don’t need to re-enter your product key.

Can I do a clean install without a USB drive?

Yes. You can reinstall Windows 11 using the “Reset this PC” feature or by mounting the ISO file in File Explorer. However, using a bootable USB drive is still the most reliable and universal method.

Is using “Reset this PC” the same as a clean install?

No, based on user experience, it often restores from the existing image and may retain manufacturer bloat or unresolved issues, making a fresh installation via USB or ISO preferable.

How long does a clean install of Windows 11 take?

The installation itself usually takes between 20 and 45 minutes, depending on your storage speed and system performance. Completing the out-of-box setup (OOBE) adds another 5 to 10 minutes.

Does a clean install fix performance issues or malware infections?

Yes. A clean installation removes corrupted system files, registry issues, malware, and unwanted programs. It’s often the best way to restore full system performance and stability.

Will I need to reinstall drivers after a clean install?

Windows 11 will automatically detect and install most drivers. However, it’s recommended to download specific hardware drivers (graphics, chipset, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth) from your manufacturer’s support site after installation for best performance.

Should I use third-party debloat tools after installing Windows 11?

You can, but you shouldn’t. While tempting, using debloat tools or heavy scripts can cause future update or stability issues.

What happens to my Microsoft 365 (Office) and OneDrive data after a clean install?

You generally don’t need to deactivate Office or OneDrive before a clean install. Your subscription remains intact, and OneDrive data stays in the cloud—just reinstall and sign in.

Do I have to clean install when upgrading to Windows 11, or can I just upgrade in place?

You don’t have to. An in-place upgrade works for many users. However, a clean install is frequently recommended for best performance, fewer leftover issues, and minimal “legacy baggage.”

What method are you using? Do you have any questions? Let me know in the comments.