{"id":184212,"date":"2022-02-23T09:38:24","date_gmt":"2022-02-23T08:38:24","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/sftarticles.wpenginepowered.com\/en\/?p=184212"},"modified":"2025-07-01T20:55:30","modified_gmt":"2025-07-02T03:55:30","slug":"how-to-use-command-prompt-windows-11","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/cms-articles.softonic.io\/en\/how-to-use-command-prompt-windows-11\/","title":{"rendered":"How to use Command Prompt for a clean Windows 11 install"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

When starting from scratch, the best way to install Windows 11<\/strong> is by using a bootable disk<\/strong> drive. This USB flash drive helps you troubleshoot common issues <\/strong>while ensuring a clean installation<\/strong> across multiple PCs when you\u2019re offline. When your hard drive is empty, booting your computer with Windows 11<\/a> USB installation media is the only approach.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You can create a USB<\/strong> flash drive<\/strong> to install Windows 11 through multiple methods. The easiest way <\/strong>to render the installation media is by using Microsoft\u2019s Media Creation Tool<\/strong>. However, Command Prompt presents another strong alternative. In this guide, you\u2019ll learn how to install Windows 11 using Command Prompt<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n

  1. Getting started: download the Windows 11 disk image (ISO)<\/h2>\"\"

    Downloading Windows 11 to a bootable USB drive requires a Windows 11 ISO disk image file<\/strong>. This file type is more commonly known as an ISO image<\/strong>. Before you create your bootable installation file onto a USB flash drive or DVD, you\u2019ll need Microsoft\u2019s multi-edition ISO downloaded to your device<\/strong>. To download the Windows 11 ISO to your PC, follow these steps:<\/p>\n

    – Download Windows 11 OS<\/a>.<\/p>\n

    – Scroll down and locate the section titled Download Windows 11.<\/p>\n

    – Access the dropdown menu and click on Windows 11.<\/p>\n

    – Now, click on the Download icon to proceed.<\/p>\n

    – The page will prompt you to select the product language. Choose your preferred language, and click Confirm to proceed.<\/p>\n

    – The above step loads the section where you choose the 64-bit download icon.<\/p>\n

    – Wait for the Windows 11 ISO download to finish.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/li>

  2. Installing Windows 11 with Command Prompt<\/h2>\"\"

    Using Command Prompt to install Windows 11 is the best choice<\/strong> for those who want to avoid the use of a third-party tool<\/strong> to use create a bootable drive. Command Prompt allows you to deploy the Diskpart Utility<\/strong> function to establish the required installation media. Here\u2019s the process:<\/p>\n

    – Back up all files<\/strong> on your USB drive before connecting it to your device. Remember, you will be wiping your memory when you reinstall the OS.<\/p>\n

    – You’ll need to run Command Prompt. The quickest way to do this is by typing CMD<\/em> <\/strong>into your Windows search or Start. You’ll then select Run as Administrator<\/em> to run Command Prompt.<\/p>\n

    After the Command Prompt window appears, enter the following command: “DISKPART”<\/em><\/strong>.<\/p>\n

    – Now, type “ENTER”<\/em> <\/strong>to launch Windows Diskpart Utility.<\/p>\n

    – Type “LIST DISK”<\/em> <\/strong>in the Disk Utility window. This command displays the available storage devices.<\/p>\n

    – Find your USB drive among the storage devices listed. If the flash drive is not immediately visible, search under the size column<\/strong> to locate it by identifying the size of your disk.<\/p>\n

    Let\u2019s assume for illustration purposes that the drive is labeled Disk 2<\/strong>. Type “SEL DISK 2<\/strong>“<\/em> into the Disk Utility window. This command selects your drive.<\/p>\n

    – Now, change the DISK 2<\/em> command above with the number corresponding to your USB drive. If you\u2019re running an SSD or SATA set up, your primary drive will display as “DISK 0″<\/em>. The USB drive appears as “DISK 1″<\/em>. Choosing the correct drive in this step is vital<\/strong> because the following procedure wipes the selected drive clean<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

    – After renaming the drives, type “CLEAN”<\/em> to eliminate all content from the drive.<\/p>\n

    – Next, enter “CREATE A PARTITION PRIMARY”<\/em> into the Command Prompt window.<\/p>\n

    – Now, enter “LIST PAR”<\/em> to choose your main partition.<\/p>\n

    – Command Prompt will now detail your USB drive information.<\/p>\n

    – After this data appears, type “DRIVE”<\/em> and press enter to activate the partition.<\/p>\n

    – Now enter: FS=NTFS LABEL=\u201cBootableUSB\u201d QUICK OVERRIDE<\/em><\/strong>. This command formats your USB drive in NTFS format to avoid parameter errors.<\/p>\n

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    • After completing this command, type “EXIT”<\/em> and press enter to take yourself out of Disk Part Utility.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div><\/li>

    • Mounting the ISO image<\/h2>\"\"

      The final step is to mount the ISO image<\/strong> by transferring its content to your USB drive. To do this, follow these next steps:<\/p>\n

      – In Diskpart, type: PowerShell Mount-DiskImage -ImagePath \u201cC:\\Users\\UserName\\Downloads\\Win11_English_x64v”<\/em>.<\/p>\n

      – Now, change the file path above to reflect the location of your Windows ISO.<\/p>\n

      – After the ISO mounts, enter the following command: “DISKPART”<\/em>. This launches Diskpart Utility again.<\/p>\n

      – Type “LIST VOLUME”<\/em> to display the available volume.<\/p>\n

      – Listing the volume allows you to determine the Drive Letter<\/strong> for your mounted ISO. It displays as DVD-ROM. Ltr Column provides the letter that corresponds with the appropriate volume. Record the details of the ISO volume<\/strong> so you can move it forward accordingly.<\/p>\n

      – Next, type “EXIT”<\/em> to leave Diskpart.<\/p>\n

      – Enter the Mounted ISO letter associated with the correct list volume. If your ISO volume letter is K, then type K.<\/p>\n

      – Type “CD BOOT”<\/em>.<\/p>\n

      – Enter the following command: “Bootsect \/nt60 I:”<\/em><\/p>\n

      – Replace the command above with K<\/strong> (or whichever letter corresponds with your USB flash drive).<\/p>\n

      – Type “xcopy K:\\*.* I:\\ \/E \/F\/ H”<\/em><\/p>\n

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      • Next, you\u2019ll need to replace K and I<\/strong> in the command you just entered above. Replace letter K with your Mounted ISO Volume<\/strong> and letter I with your USB Drive Letter<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

        Assuming you\u2019ve entered all of the above commands accurately, you\u2019ll see a message appear that reads “Files Copied<\/strong>“.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/li><\/ol><\/div>