Purpose of knowledge article

• This article provides instructions on how to perform a Windows 11 Clean install. Be sure to try the Windows 11 In-place Upgrade method first.
• Always back up your data before attempting the clean install; a clean install means everything will be erased.

• This is a much more involved process with higher risk and requires more time and effort than the in-place upgrade.

• If you have any DOUBTS reach out to Lab IT (help@lbl.gov) and we can assist you for a flat $250. Please see the Windows 10 End of Support and Upgrade to Windows 11 FAQ for more information.

Resolution

1. Preparing for a Windows 11 Upgrade 

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   1. Perform a Computer Assessment

      Assessment	Considerations
      Software Assessment	What applications will be needed in Windows 11?
      	Are all applications compatible with Windows 11? https://developer.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/ready-for-windows#/ Also, consider checking the vendor's website for Windows 11 compatibility information. Please note that it is not always possible to determine ahead of time whether a given application will operate as expected in Windows 11.
      	Do you have the software installation media if you need to reinstall after the upgrade?
      	Do you have the software license keys for reactivation if required after the upgrade?
      	Are any applications now redundant because of new Windows 11 features?
      	Procure any Windows 11-compatible software if needed.
      Hardware Assessment	Are all computer and peripheral hardware compatible with Windows 11? https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/windows-11-specifications?r=1
      	Are drivers available for specialized peripherals and devices?
      	Run hardware diagnostics to ensure the hardware is sound for Dell equipment; see https://www.dell.com/support/home/ca/en/cabsdt1/quicktest.
      	Procure any Windows 11 compatible hardware if needed.
      	TPM 2.0 supported and enabled
      Data Assessment	What data is currently on the system?
      	Where is the data stored?
      	How much storage is needed?
      	Do you have the adequate backup capacity to prepare for the upgrade?

   2. Back up all data

      Option	Description
      Recommended for most users: Druva inSync Backup	For most users, the best way to back up the files you need is to use Druva InSync, the Lab's recommended desktop backup solution. By default, Druva will only backup data in a few select locations. Review the Druva settings and compare them to the Data Assessment performed earlier. Information on purchasing and configuring Druva is available here: Workstation Backups - Druva. Druva keeps all data for at least 90 days.
      Copy to external hard drive	Copying select files and folders to an external hard drive can be an inexpensive option, particularly for users with a lot of data to back up. External drives are easily purchased through the eBuy Staples or CDW-G stores. Unlike Druva backups, external hard drives cannot be accessed over the web, which may be an added convenience.
      Clone the original hard drive	Advanced users may prefer to clone the entire hard drive. Cloning the original disk ensures the ability to revert to the original hard drive if something goes wrong with the upgrade to Windows 11, but requires more advanced skills to avoid damaging your system. Before commencing this process, ensure that the new drive is of equal size or larger than the original drive. Hard drives and docking bays are easily purchased through the eBuy Staples or CDW-G stores. Berkeley Lab IT recommends Clonezilla as a free, open-source tool for cloning drives.

   3. Windows 11 Licensing - In many cases, the Microsoft Windows license that was provided with your computer can be used to activate Windows 11 at no cost. For example, most Dell computers purchased by the Lab with Windows 10 Professional can be upgraded at no cost. 
      For systems that do not have an eligible license, a Windows 11 Professional license can be purchased from software.lbl.gov.

   4. Prepare Install Media

      1. Obtain at least a 16GB USB flash drive. 

      2. Create a Windows 11 installer following Microsoft instructions, Install Windows from a USB Flash Drive, or

      3. Create a Windows 11 installer using the Windows 11 creation media tool, see https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/software-download/windows11.

2. Install Windows 11

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   1	Make sure TPM 2.0 is enabled in the BIOS, and in Windows 10, see Enable TPM 2.0 on your PC for guidance Note: The menu option for enabling TPM 2.0 may vary depending on brand, model, and BIOS version	no image
   2	Navigate to the Windows 11 USB flash drive you created and run the setup.exe file	no image
   3	Click Next Note: Leave the Change how Setup download updates option at default, and it is optional if you want to check or uncheck the I want to help make the installation better box at the bottom
   4	Click Accept to accept the license terms
   5	Click Change what to keep
   6	Select Nothing All your data will be erased and will not be recoverable; BACKUP YOUR DATA and VERIFY IT. Make sure you follow the instructions in part 1 Preparing for a Windows 11 Upgrade above.
   7	Click Next
   8	Click OK
   9	Click Install
   10	During installation, the computer may reboot a few times
   11	Before selecting a country or region in step 12, if applicable, unplug the ethernet cable from the computer	no image
   12	Select the correct country or region For example, it is the United States for this instruction, and click Yes
   13	Select the correct keyboard layout/input method For example, it is US for this instruction
   14	Click Skip Note: You may add more keyboard layouts if you wish before clicking Skip
   15	You will see: Click the button shift + F10 on your keyboard together and in the command prompt window, type in OOBE \BYPASSNRO and hit enter
   16	The computer will restart and ask you to repeat steps 12 to 14 again	no image
   17	Click I don't have Internet
   18	Enter your LDAP username
   19	Create a password
   20	Toggle all the privacy settings to No
   21	For Dell computer only Download and install the Dell Command software: https://www.dell.com/support/kbdoc/en-us/000177325/dell-command-update Once installed, run the Dell Command until there is no update to install for your computer.	no image

3. Post-Upgrade Steps 

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   1. Restore all hardware, software, and data that were identified in the Computer Assessment.
   2. If Windows prompts you to enter an activation key, you will likely need to purchase a new license.
   3. Ensure that all Berkeley Lab IT-recommended applications are installed
      1. Download BigFix from software.lbl.gov. IT highly encourages all users to install BigFix on all Windows systems. The Passive Mode client is recommended for systems that are used for experimental data collection or other special tasks that should not be interrupted.
   4. Ensure that the system is configured according to Berkeley Lab IT recommendations

      1. When possible, change the system's hostname to match the Lab-standard naming scheme for Windows 10 systems: 

         {LDAP_UserName}-W {last 2 digits of the DOE number} Example: User Joe A. Smith has upgraded to Windows 10 on his system with DOE number 1234567. The recommended hostname would be jasmith-W67.

      2. Whenever possible, IT recommends that systems be added to the ActiveDirectory domain. Note that for users in Operations Divisions, the use of Active Directory is mandatory. Instructions to add a system to the domain are here: AD User Procedures.
      3. For systems that cannot be added to the domain, use BigFix Offers to configure the system, including
         1. Recommended security settings, which include Windows updates
         2. Windows Firewall settings

      4. For additional recommendations, review Berkeley Lab's IT Best Practices