How can I ensure the cleanest W11 install?

Anonymous

I’ve been struggling with windows randomly deciding to ruin my computer for some months now. Every time I would get the computer to a properly working state for a few days out of nowhere Windows will decide to make the computer unusable one way or another leading me to have to do a fresh install (as doing things like repair installs sometimes ends up completely bricking the computer).

But one thing I’ve noticed is that my fresh installs are never actually properly clean. Sometimes it’s a challenge just to get to the windows setup screen (random bsod’s where no recovery partition is being created for whatever reason) and when I do get into windows sometimes something like edge or MS Store just doesn’t work, but all the time I can never actually download the cumulative windows update (as it always gives an error message during the install portion). SFC /scannow always shows up with a “found corrupted files but could not repair them” message, and DISM usually comes back with a “sources not found” even when using a local usb

So I am wondering what can I do to ensure a proper windows install from the get go? I have been following the procedure of deleting existing volumes and letting windows create things automatically, but that gives the results explained above. Is it a usb problem? A formatting problem? Setting up the PC problem?

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EmilyS726 268.2K Reputation points Independent Advisor

2024-03-03T21:47:17+00:00

That should be fine..

Try another USB flash drive with the .iso and see if that makes any difference.
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Anonymous

2024-03-03T21:44:02+00:00

I’m using a 2tb nvme that was purchased fairly recently (maybe last November ish)
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EmilyS726 268.2K Reputation points Independent Advisor

2024-03-03T21:33:12+00:00

Then you were doing the right steps.

Yes, USB can definitely cause problem, especially if one of them already seems to be causing problem compared to the other, then I think it is reasonable to believe the issue is with the USB.

In addition, on the computer you have trouble with, any chance you might have a very small harddrive?
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Anonymous

2024-03-03T21:30:33+00:00

Hi, appreciate the response

Yes, I created the flash drive using media creation tool from another computer (that I know is working properly). Then I’d load it through bios and do a clean install by deleting all existing partitions on the ssd before installing.

The reason I question the usb is because I’ve created 2 separate bootable media’s with media creation tool, and running the setup with 1 usb creates far more problems than using the other usb
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EmilyS726 268.2K Reputation points Independent Advisor

2024-03-03T20:18:56+00:00

Hello, this is Emily.

A clean install shouldn't be presenting you with this type of issue. Yes, the flash drive you use can be a potential issue, or the harddrive itself might be the issue here.

Here are a few key check points:

Did you create the flash drive with the Windows Media Creation Tool?

Did you boot it from BIOS and have it boot from the flash drive?

Did you choose the custom install option?

On the page where it asks you where to install, did you delete every single partition listed? Not format, but delete, until they merge into one unallocated space?
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