Language and Keyboard Settings
On the first two screens, choose your language, time and currency format, and keyboard layout.
The default settings work fine for most users — just click Next to continue.
Selecting the Windows Edition
Setup will show only one edition — the one you already selected earlier in PC-DNA.
Just click Next to continue.
License Agreement
Accept the license terms and click Next.
Choosing a Disk for Installation
This is the most important step — the disk you select here will be formatted.
If it’s a brand-new computer or a new drive, only one disk will be listed. Just select it and click Next.
If your computer has several physical disks, they’re listed as Disk 0, Disk 1, and so on. Each one can contain several partitions.
Disk 0 always holds the boot loader and hidden system files, regardless of which disk you eventually install Windows to. This is why we recommend installing on Disk 0 whenever possible.
On Windows 11, this screen usually shows all partitions from the PC-DNA USB drive as well — normally 5 partitions, listed as a separate Disk 1. Your computer’s internal drive stays Disk 0.
This is different from Windows 10, where the USB partitions are usually hidden and don’t appear on this screen at all.
[Photo placeholder — disk selection screen showing the PC-DNA USB partitions alongside the internal disk]
If Windows was already installed on the computer, you’ll see several partitions on the internal disk:
- The first one or two partitions are system partitions, usually 100–500 MB.
- After them you’ll usually see your C: drive — check that its size matches the C: drive you know from the old system.
- Then D:, followed by any other drives.
If there’s nothing important on the system disk (Disk 0), you can delete each of its partitions one by one, select the resulting unallocated space, and click Next. This avoids almost every installation error. A D: drive can always be created again after installation.
Ready to Install
Next you’ll see a “Ready to install” summary of everything you’ve selected.
Click Install to begin.
[Photo placeholder — “Ready to install” summary screen]
Installation Begins
For a while the computer won’t need any input from you. It may restart on its own, and the screen may briefly turn black or blue — this is normal, just wait it out.
If the computer restarts and takes you back to the very first language-selection screen, don’t continue. Turn off the computer (or wait for the screen to go dark), remove the installation USB, then turn the computer back on — setup will resume automatically from where it left off.
Region and Keyboard Layout
Once installation finishes, Windows moves into first-time setup. First you’ll choose your region, then confirm your keyboard layout.
If you’re offered a second keyboard layout and don’t need one, just skip it — English is already included by default.
Automatic Updates and Setup
Windows will now download updates and configure itself automatically. You’ll see messages like “This might take a while” or “This won’t take long” — this step needs no action from you.
The computer may restart, and you might briefly see a black screen with “Hi there” — that’s normal, Windows is still preparing your desktop.
Naming Your Device
Enter a name for your computer — this is how it will appear on your network and in system settings — then click Next.
[Photo placeholder — “Name your device” screen]
Choosing a Setup Option
Select the setup option that fits your needs, then click Next.
Windows will then download and install updates in several steps. This can take a while — keep the computer plugged into power (especially on laptops) so the update isn’t interrupted.
Signing in With a Microsoft Account
You can sign in with an existing Microsoft account, or set up a local account instead if you’d rather not use one.
[Photo placeholder — sign-in screen with Microsoft account / local account option]
Privacy Settings
Choose the privacy options you’re comfortable with — you can always change these later in Settings.
If this is a laptop, we recommend keeping Location and Find My Device turned on — it can help you find it if it’s ever lost or stolen.
Finishing Setup
If you signed in with a Microsoft account, Windows may offer to restore your settings, folders, and files from a previous backup — or you can choose to set up as a new device instead.
You’ll then see a few more screens for interaction settings and, optionally, linking an Android phone. Feel free to skip anything you don’t need.
Once that’s done, Windows loads the desktop with the taskbar and Start button — setup is complete.
[Photo placeholder — finished Windows desktop after setup]
Installing Drivers
Most drivers install automatically as soon as the computer connects to the internet. If something is still missing:
- Laptops — search your laptop’s exact model on the manufacturer’s website to find its driver page.
- Desktop PCs — get drivers from your motherboard manufacturer’s website, using your exact model.
- Graphics card — download drivers directly from NVIDIA, AMD, or Intel, depending on which GPU you have.