Run Windows 11 Safely (without losing files) + New features/Screenshots
Updated: Jul 20, 2021
As you might know, the next version of Microsoft Windows, Windows 11 was announced on 24 June.
This leads us to a question - How do I use Windows 11 RIGHT NOW? And luckily, we have numerous ways to do that. Stick around and I'll show you how.
If you have got the ISO file in a legit way, here are 2 different ways to use Windows 11. Follow the one you like.
Using Dual Boot (Recommended)
If you have a PC running any OS, you can easily use this method without losing your data.
Here are the steps for users running Windows. But if you're using any other OS, you can easily replicate them for your OS. If your OS does not support the following steps, you might need to use Windows on a different computer to create the USB.
1. Create partition
We'll use Windows Disk Management to create a partition. Right-click on the Start button and select Disk Management.
Now we need to create a partition where Windows 11 will be stored. Right-click the Disk and select Shrink Volume.
In the window that appears, enter the amount of storage in MB in the third box.
1GB = 1000MB. That means if you want 65GB, type in 65000 and hit Shrink. It's recommended to give at least 50GB.
Now, you'll see a Black Unallocated box which is the partition you just created. Right-click it and select New Simple Volume.
In the New Simple Volume Wizard window, follow the steps to finish creating the partition.
2. Prepare your USB/Pen Drive
You'll need a USB or Pen Drive of at least 16 GB with no data on it. If there are any important files, backup them or you'll lose them forever. This USB/Pen Drive will contain the Windows 11 Setup.
We need to download Rufus to prepare the USB. Download Rufus from here. Insert the USB/Pen drive on your PC and run Rufus.
On the very first option, choose the Device you just inserted. Now, click the SELECT button in Boot Selection and choose the Windows 11 ISO file you downloaded at the beginning.
Here, the partition scheme is selected as GPT by default. Most of the computers support it. But if you're having problems running the setup, you may change it to MBR anytime you want. You may leave everything else as it is and press the START button. It will give you a warning that all the data will be lost. If you have backed up everything, click OK.
Wait for some time while Rufus prepares everything for you.
3. Windows 11 Setup
When your USB is successfully prepared by Rufus, you're ready to start the Windows 11 Setup. Shut Down your PC and don't remove the Pen Drive/USB. Now, this time while you're switching on your PC, you need to enter Boot Device Options. You need to find out the process to do so for your Hardware as it differs for different devices.
I was using an HP Laptop, so in my case, I had to press Esc > F9 and then select the Pen Drive we inserted. You may search the web for the process for your hardware. When you've selected your pen drive in the Device options, press enter. After some time, you'll see a Windows 11 setup screen.
Choose your desired options and click Next. On the next screen, click Install Now.
Now, the Setup is starting. After a few minutes, Windows will ask you for a few more details.
In the type of installation, choose the second option (Custom).
The next Window will ask you the partition in which you want to install Windows 11. Select the one which we created in the very first step and press next.
You've done it! Wait for some time while your Windows 11 is ready. It may take more than an hour so be patient. Don't power off your PC.
✔️ If you're currently running, for example, Windows 10, the edition (Home/Pro/Enterprise) will be the same in Windows 11.
4. Windows 11 is ready to go!
Once the setup is over, Windows will ask you about your basic details such as Language, Region, Microsoft account and more... After you've entered the details, Windows will prepare itself for you. This might take a few minutes. After that, Windows 11 is all yours! Enjoy the new features!
Note that from now on each time you'll power on your PC, it will ask you the operating system you want to use. For Windows 11, it will still say Windows 10. If you are currently running Windows 10 and have installed Windows 11, there will be two options. The first one Windows 10 (on Volume x) and the second Windows (on Volume y). The one with greater volume will be Windows 11 and the one with smaller will be Windows 10.
If the OS you're currently running is not Windows and you've still installed Windows 11, you have to go to your device's Boot Options and select an OS that you want to run each time you power on your PC.
❌ If you want to delete Window 11 from your PC, you'll need to format the partition which you created for Windows 11.
Using VirtualBox
This is less recommended as it might slow down your computer when you're running the application. But if you still want to use this method, it's your choice.
⚠️To use this, you have to Turn on Hardware Virtualization if it's not enabled on your PC by default.
1. Download VirtualBox
Download VirtualBox for Windows or other Operating Systems. After downloading, run the setup and install it.
2. Run VirtualBox
Run the application when the installation is complete. Click the New Button, assign a name, Choose Windows 10 (64-bit). Yes, you need to choose Windows 10, this will do the trick to run Windows 11. If 64-bit is not available, that means either your system does not support it or Virtualization is Disabled. After that, press next until the last window. Click settings, go to the storage tab, press Empty. Click the CD drop down and select 'Choose a Disk file' from the options available. Now select the ISO file you downloaded in the beginning. Click OK. You may watch the video for ease.
3. Start Windows 11
Now, press the Start button to start Windows 11 on the Virtual Machine. If prompted, select the ISO file from the dropdown which you downloaded at the beginning. Now, Virtual Machine will start running Windows 11 Setup. Select your desired options and press Next. On the next screen, click Install Now.
Now, the Setup is starting. After some time, Windows will ask you for a few more details.
In the type of installation, choose the second option (Custom).
The next Window will ask you the partition in which you want to install Windows 11. There will be only one option so select that and press Next.
You've done your part. Wait for some time while Windows 11 is being installed on the Virtual Machine. After it's installed you'll need to attempt the Windows 11 setup and now you can successfully use Windows 11!
Windows 11 New Features and Screenshots.
Improved Emoji selector with added GIFs and Keyboard History. It's already featured in Windows 10 which is revealed when you press Win + Period.
Corner rounds everywhere, Taskbar apps in the centre but you can change it if you already have a Windows licence or product key.
New themes
Dark mode
Start Menu, Notifications
Light theme, File Explorer, Corner rounds.
Multitasking features when you right-click or keep your cursor for some time in Minimize/Maximize button.
That's all from my side. If you liked it, don't forget to hit the ❤ button.
If you have any queries, questions or just want something to say, let me know by leaving a comment below.
Thanks a lot for reading! :)
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