How can I install a fresh Windows 11 from USB?

[iggel]

Hi!

I'm trying to do a fresh installation of Windows 11. I upgraded the SSD, so it's blank. However, I seem to be stuck in a loop between Windows installation and HP recovery. I can boot from the USB driver and start to install Windows. But when it wants to reboot, the laptop goes into HP recovery mode, and I'm stuck.

What is the correct way to circumvent all of this and just do a straight installation of Windows 11 to my new SSD?

Thanks for any hints!

Eric

[zoey7886]

@iggel, Welcome to the HP Support Community!  

Thanks for reaching out about your query regarding your Windows 11 installation! 

We're thrilled to have the opportunity to assist you and provide a solution.  

You can checkout this guide for the steps for the same.   

Take care, and have an amazing day!  

Did we resolve the issue? If yes, Please consider marking this post as "Accepted Solution" and click "Yes" to give us a helpful vote - your feedback keeps us going!  

Regards, 

[iggel]

Hi Zoey7886

Thanks for your answer! However, I don't want to do a recovery. I want to freshly install Windows 11, like I would on any third-party PC.

Best regards,

Eric

[zoey7886]

@iggel, HP recommends using the HP Cloud Recovery Tool or the built-in recovery options to restore your system to a factory-supported state. However, if you wish to perform a fresh installation of Windows 11, you can proceed with a clean installation using a bootable USB drive.

Here are the steps to ensure a smooth installation process:

Create a Bootable USB Drive

• Download the Windows 11 Media Creation Tool from Microsoft’s official website.
• Use it to create a bootable USB drive (minimum 8GB required).

Check Boot Order in BIOS

• Restart your laptop and press F10 repeatedly to enter the BIOS.
• Navigate to Boot Options and ensure your USB drive is set as the first boot device.
• Save changes and exit (F10).

Start Windows 11 Installation

• Boot from the USB and proceed with the installation.
• When asked for a destination drive, select your new SSD and format it if needed.

Prevent HP Recovery Loop

• After the initial installation phase, remove the USB drive before the first restart to prevent it from booting into HP Recovery.
• If the system still boots into HP Recovery, go to BIOS and disable Secure Boot and enable CSM/Legacy Mode if available.

Install HP Drivers

• Once Windows is installed, visit the HP Support website and download the necessary drivers for your model.

Let us know if you need further assistance!

Did this solution help? If so, please mark it as "Accepted Solution" and click "Yes" to give us a helpful vote – your feedback keeps us going!

Regards, 

[iggel]

Thanks for the detailed information!

I did manage to get to the BIOS by pressing F10, I could boot from USB. But as soon as Windows wanted to boot for the first time (which is right after the first couple of questions), I was stuck in the recovery mode loop.

I disabled secure boot (no CSM/Legacy mode), but that didn't help. I also moved the SSD up in the boot sequence, but that didn't help either.

So, for future me (and all others): Since Windows 11 setup insists on rebooting so quickly, I had to go back to creating a Windows 10 USB stick, because Windows 10 at least installs the major part of the OS in one go.

This worked, but then I was stuck with a system without any drivers. So I had to manually download at least the WLAN drivers (for Windows 11 in fact) from the HP support website, which in itself is already pretty much a pain...

So at the moment, Windows 10 is downloading the Internet, and then in a couple of hours, I will be able to upgrade to Windows 11 (and download the Internet again).

[zoey7886 · Accepted solution]

Hi @iggel, 

Thanks for sharing your experience — it sounds like you’ve been through quite a bit trying to get Windows 11 installed! Let's see if we can simplify things a bit and avoid that recovery loop altogether.

Since you've already got the bootable USB and managed to disable Secure Boot, here’s a more streamlined approach you can try:

🚀 Recheck the Boot Order in BIOS

• Restart your laptop and press F10 to enter the BIOS.
• Make sure your new SSD is listed as the first boot device after the USB.
• If there’s an option to disable HP Recovery or Secure Boot, keep it off for now.

💾 Start the Installation

• Boot from the USB and begin the Windows 11 installation.
• When you reach the part where it asks for the destination drive, delete any existing partitions on the SSD (if any) and select it as the installation target.

🔄 Prevent Recovery Loop

• Right after the initial installation phase (when the laptop is about to restart), remove the USB drive immediately.
• If it still boots into recovery mode, go back into BIOS and double-check that the SSD is at the top of the boot order.

🌐 Drivers and Setup

• Once Windows 11 is up and running, you can head over to the HP Support website to grab the latest drivers. Start with the WLAN driver so you can get online easily.

It’s great to hear that you managed to work around it with Windows 10 — but ideally, you shouldn’t have to go through all that trouble. Let us know if this works, and feel free to reach out if you need more help!

We’re rooting for you — you’ve got this! 🙌

Did this solution help? If so, please mark it as "Accepted Solution" and click "Yes" to give us a helpful vote – your feedback keeps us going!

Regards, 

[iggel]

Hi Zoey

Thanks a lot for the very detailed cookbook! At the moment, I don't need it, but the day will probably come when I will.

Best regards,
Eric

[zoey7886]

@iggel, A huge thank you for marking this post as the 'Accepted Solution'! We're thrilled that we could help resolve your issue. 

If you have any more questions or need further assistance, please don't hesitate to ask. We're here to help! 

Thanks again for your confirmation, and we wish you an amazing day ahead! 

Regards,