# Installing Windows 11 (from ISO) on real hardware (without SB and/or TPM 2.0 support)

| Created: June 20, 2021 | Last Update: June 20, 2021                                |
| ------------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------ |
| Authors:                  | [Gustave Monce](https://twitter.com/gus33000), [Daniel Kornev](https://twitter.com/danielko) |
| Status:                   | **Draft**                                                    |
| Supported Windows 11 Version:      | 21996.1 |

**WIP**

## Overview
Here's some quick notes on installing Windows 11 on real hardware from ISO in case when hardware doesn't support TPM and/or SB (Secure Boot). For this example, we're assuming a system with _no_ other critical disks installed, and a helpful host system being around to set up the initial image.

This guide has been created for the 21996.1 version of Windows 11. 



## Prerequisites
### Host
* Windows 10 Iron or Cobalt (20279 or 21xxx+) - though 20H2 can also work just fine
* Utility USB flash drive of ~8GB+

### Target
* Boot drive larger than 50 GiB

## Common: Files & Tools
1. Download Windows 11 ISO
2. Download [Windows USB/DVD Tool](https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/windows-usb-dvd-download-tool)
3. Install it

## Prepare USB Drive for Flashing
1. Get an empty USB Flash drive (with size at least 8GB)
2. Use Windows USB/DVD Tool
3. Follow its instructions to flash your Windows 11 ISO onto the USB Flash drive

## Apply Your Image
### Clean Disk & Lay Out Partitions
1. Boot from USB Flash drive
2. Open **diskpart** 
3. Type this:

```
list disk
```

Take a note of the name of your device's main disk drive, e.g., ```disk 0```
4. Type this (where ```disk 0``` is your device's main disk drive):
```
select disk 0
clean
```
5. Follow [the instructions for UEFI-based PCs from docs.microsoft.com](https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-hardware/manufacture/desktop/windows-deployment-sample-scripts-sxs#-createpartitions-uefitxt) to properly lay out your device's main disk for Windows 11 installation:

```
rem == CreatePartitions-UEFI.txt ==
rem == These commands are used with DiskPart to
rem    create four partitions
rem    for a UEFI/GPT-based PC.
rem    Adjust the partition sizes to fill the drive
rem    as necessary. ==
select disk 0
clean
convert gpt
rem == 1. System partition =========================
create partition efi size=100
rem    ** NOTE: For Advanced Format 4Kn drives,
rem               change this value to size = 260 ** 
format quick fs=fat32 label="System"
assign letter="S"
rem == 2. Microsoft Reserved (MSR) partition =======
create partition msr size=16
rem == 3. Windows partition ========================
rem ==    a. Create the Windows partition ==========
create partition primary 
rem ==    b. Create space for the recovery tools ===
rem       ** Update this size to match the size of
rem          the recovery tools (winre.wim)
rem          plus some free space.
shrink minimum=500
rem ==    c. Prepare the Windows partition ========= 
format quick fs=ntfs label="Windows"
assign letter="W"
rem === 4. Recovery partition ======================
create partition primary
format quick fs=ntfs label="Recovery"
assign letter="R"
set id="de94bba4-06d1-4d40-a16a-bfd50179d6ac"
gpt attributes=0x8000000000000001
list volume
```

6. Mark your Windows partition as active in diskpart:
```
list partition
note the name of your Windows partition (e.g., "partition 3")
select partition 3
active
```
7. Type **exit** to leave **diskpart**

### Apply Image
1. Check which OS SKU you want to install:
```
dism /Get-WimInfo /WimFile:D:\Sources\install.wim <— here D:\ is the drive name of your USB drive
```
2. Remember its index and use it to apply its image to your Windows partition (e.g., "W"):
```
dism /Apply-Image /ImageFile:D:\Sources\install.wim /index:1 /ApplyDir:W:\
```
3. Create boot records:
```
W:\Windows\System32\bcdboot G:\Windows
```
If you'll see "Failure when attempting to copy boot files" error message then use this command instead:
```
W:\Windows\System32\bcdboot c:\windows /s s: /f ALL
```
4. Type **exit** in the **Command Prompt window**

### Load Windows 11
At this time, your Windows 11 will boot. If everything is correct you should see the OOBE.