Click here to download the manual
Before you start the installation, make sure you have the following:
- A stable internet connection (provider fees may apply)
- Sufficient disk space available on your PC for the download
- An empty USB stick of at least 8 GB. The content on the medium will be erased
Then check the following on the PC on which you want to install Windows 11:
- Do you have a 64-bit or 32-bit processor (CPU)? A 32-bit version is no longer supported by Windows 11 as it is obsolete.
If you want to check what version you currently have, go to your Settings > System > Info, or to Control Panel > System and Security > System. In both cases, next to 'System type' you will see whether you have the 64-bit or 32-bit version. - Check whether your PC meets the minimum system requirements of Windows 11:
- CPU: 1 GHZ or faster
- RAM: 4 GB
- Storage: 64 GB or more
- Firmware: UEFI Secure Boot possible
- TPM: Trusted Platform Module (TPM) version 2.0
- Graphics: Support for DirectX 12 or later versions with WDDM 2.0 driver
- Language in Windows
If you want to update your PC instead of doing a clean install, you will need to choose the same language that your current Windows version is installed in. To check your current language settings, go to Settings > Time and Language > Language. Here you can see your current display language - Windows version
You must also choose the same Windows version to make sure that your current licence remains valid. Examples of Windows versions are Home, Pro, Edu, Enterprise, etc. If you want to check which version you currently have, go to Settings > System > Info (bottom left). You will see the edition under Windows Specifications
1. Upgrade from Windows 10 to Windows 11
Before installing Windows 11, we recommend saving your work and backing up your PC.
During the upgrade using the Windows 11 installation wizard, your files will not be lost.
Step 1: Open the .exe file by double-clicking on it.
Step 2: If you get this screen, download the PC Health Check app by clicking the link.
Step 3: Accept the licence agreement and click Install. Then click Finish.
Step 4: Click on 'Check now'.
If your computer does not meet the requirements for Windows 11, you cannot upgrade at the moment.
Step 5: Return to the installation wizard and click 'Accept and install' to start the download and installation.
Step 6: The installation will begin. Depending on the speed of your computer, this may take several hours.
When the installation is complete, your computer will reboot and Windows 11 will be installed.
2. Creating the installation media
If you wish to perform a new installation of Windows 11, create a new installation file via the Windows Media Creation Tool. This way, you can install Windows 11 on any new device.
Step 1: Go to Windows 11 on Academic Software. Select the 'Windows Media Creation Tool' version. Then click on the 'Download Media Creation Tool' button.
Step 2: Open the .exe file from your download folder.
Step 3: Accept the licence agreement.
Step 4: Choose the desired language and click Next.
Step 5: Choose the next medium:
- USB flash drive: Connect an empty USB stick of at least 8 GB. All content on the USB flash drive will be erased
Step 6: After the installation media is created, follow the steps below to use it.
3. Installing Windows 11 with the installation media
Step 1: Connect your USB stick on which you want to install Windows 11.
Step 2: Restart your PC and start Windows from the boot device you created. To choose your boot device, you will have to press a key as soon as your PC (re)boots.
At the bottom, you may see 'Boot menu' with the key to press next to it. If 'Boot menu' is not an option, you will have to go to your BIOS or UEFI settings, or change the 'boot order' there. (Possible keys to go into these menus are F2, F12, Delete or Esc).
Step 3: Once you have managed to boot Windows from your installation media, choose the settings for language, time zone and keyboard. Then click Next.
Step 4: Click on 'Install now'.
Step 5: Go to Windows 11 on Academic Software. Request a licence by clicking the request button and copying it. Then fill it in and click Next.
You can also opt to skip this step and enter the licence at a later time after logging into Windows. In this case, choose 'I don't have a product key'. Then choose the Windows version you want to install.
If you want to use an Academic Software licence, you should choose 'Windows 11 Pro Education'.
Step 6: Accept the licence agreement and click Next.
Step 7: Here you have two options:
- Upgrade: Install Windows and keep files, settings and applications.
Choose this option if you want to upgrade Windows. All files will be retained. This option is only available if a version of Windows is already running on your computer.
- Custom: install Windows only (advanced).
Through this option, Windows will be reinstalled. All files on the computer will be deleted.
Step 8: Windows will then be installed. This may take a while depending on the speed of your computer.
4. First startup of Windows 11
After Windows is installed, your computer will reboot. Then go through the boot procedure to use Windows.
Step 1: Select the region and click Yes.
Step 2: Select the desired keyboard layout and click Yes. Add a second keyboard layout if required.
Step 3: Name your computer and click Next. Click 'Skip for now' if you want to do this later. Your computer will then reboot.
Step 4: Choose how you want to set up your device and click Next.
Set up for personal use: You log in with your personal e-mail account and have full control over your device.
Set up for work or school: Choose this option if you want to add the device to a school or work account. This can be useful to access your organisation's applications or tools.
Step 5: Sign in with your Microsoft account and click Next. If you don't have one yet, you can always create a new account by clicking 'Create one'.
Step 6: Click 'Create PIN' and create a new PIN. Through this PIN, you will always be able to log in, so choose one you remember easily.
Step 7: If you have synchronised your files through OneDrive via your Microsoft account, you can restore them so that they are directly accessible on the new Windows installation. Then choose 'Restore from (backup name)'. Otherwise, choose 'Set up a new device'.
Step 8: Click Next.
Step 9: Choose 'Back up my files with OneDrive' if you want to synchronise your files with OneDrive to always have your files at hand if, for example, something goes wrong with your computer. Choose 'Don't back up my files' if you want to disable this option. You can still set this after installation.
Windows will now be prepared. This may take several minutes.
After you have completed the steps for installing Windows 11, check that all necessary drivers are installed. If you want to check for updates now, click the Start button and go to Settings > Windows Update. Select 'Search for updates'. You can also go to your device manufacturer's support site for any additional drivers.
Click 'Download now' and then 'Install now' to complete the updates. The computer will reboot afterwards to install the updates. This may take a while.
5. License set-up (optional)
If you had not entered a licence during installation, you can always enter it after Windows is already installed.
Step 1: Click the Windows start button and go to Settings. Click on 'Activate now'.
A licence is available by clicking the request button on Academic Software and then copying this licence.
Step 2: You will get an error message because no valid licence was found yet. Click 'Change to enter the code'.
If you have any further questions, do not hesitate to contact our helpdesk.