Windows 11 Installation Has Failed? Easy Fixes to Try

Encountering the “Windows 11 installation has failed” error can be frustrating, especially when you’re eager to upgrade to the latest OS. Fortunately, there are several solutions to resolve this problem. Let’s walk through some simple yet effective ways to fix the issue and get your system up and running with Windows 11.

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Things to Remember Before Installing Windows 11

Your PC must meet some minimum requirements before you can install Windows 11. Plus, there are some general points you may look at. We have linked additional resources after the list to help answer questions you may have. The reason you are seeing the ‘Windows installation has failed’ error could be one of the below:

Processor: Your device needs a 1 GHz processor or faster, with at least two cores. It should be a 64-bit compatible processor or a System on a Chip (SoC).
Memory: At least 4 GB of RAM. Anything less and you will run into errors.
Storage: You’ll need 64 GB or more of available storage space. Keep in mind, that future updates may require additional space.
Graphics: To enjoy smooth visuals, your graphics card should be compatible with DirectX 12 or higher and have a WDDM 2.0 driver.
System Firmware: Your device needs to support UEFI (Unified Extensible Firmware Interface) and must be capable of Secure Boot for an extra layer of security.
Update Drivers and BIOS: Outdated or incompatible drivers can interrupt the installation process. To resolve this: Open Device Manager > Right-click on each device > select Update driver. Also, visit your PC manufacturer’s website to download the latest BIOS updates and drivers.
TPM (Trusted Platform Module): Make sure you have TPM version 2.0 enabled on your system because it is essential for the installation.
Display: A high-definition (720p) display, at least 9 inches in size, and capable of 8 bits per color channel is required.
Internet Connection: An internet connection is necessary to download updates and access certain features. Plus, to set up Windows 11 Home, you’ll need an internet connection and a Microsoft Account for the initial setup.

Additional Resources:

1. Disable Third-Party Antivirus

Sometimes, third-party antivirus software can block Windows installation. So temporarily disabling your antivirus software might help you. Just open the antivirus application, navigate to the settings menu, and look for a disable or pause option.

Note: You may also uninstall antivirus software. Reinstalling Windows will require you to reinstall the app anyway. Sometimes, disabling the app doesn’t work.

2. Use the Media Creation Tool

Media Creation Tool is a reliable alternative and is officially recommended by Microsoft to install Windows 11. This method often bypasses common errors caused by corrupt system files or network interruptions. You just need a blank USB flash drive with at least 8 GB of space. After that:

Go to the Download Windows 11 site.
Under Create Windows 11 Installation Media, select Download Now. The MediaCreationTool.exe tool is downloaded.
Run MediaCreationTool.exe. The media creation tool walks through creating installation media.

We have a detailed guide on how to create a bootable Windows 11 USB drive using the Media Creation Tool complete with steps and screenshots.

3. Remove External Hardware

Disconnect any unnecessary hardware devices, such as headphones, printers, scanners, speakers, USB drives, and external hard drives. If you’re using a laptop connected to a docking station make sure to undock it.

4. Run the Windows Update Troubleshooter

Windows offers a built-in troubleshooter to identify and fix issues related to updates and installations.

Open Settings > System > Troubleshoot > Other troubleshooters.
Select Windows Update and click Run.

5. Perform a Clean Boot

Third-party apps and services can interfere with the installation process. Performing a clean boot helps eliminate these issues:

Press Windows + R, type msconfig, and open it.
Go to the Services tab, check Hide all Microsoft services, and click Disable all.
Navigate to the Startup tab and click Open Task Manager.
Disable startup items one by one. Restart your system and try the installation again to eliminate the service that may be causing this issue.

You will find more info on it on Microsoft’s support page.

6. Check Disk Health with CHKDSK

A faulty or fragmented disk can cause installation errors. To check and repair disk errors:

Open Command Prompt as an administrator.
Type chkdsk C: /f /r and press Enter.
Restart your PC to let the tool run during boot.

7. Clear Cached Installation Files

Sometimes, cached files from past failed installations can cause repeated errors including the ‘Windows installation has failed’ error. You can clear them using these steps:

Open File Explorer and navigate to C:\Windows\SoftwareDistribution.
Delete all files in this folder.
Restart your PC and try installing Windows 11 again.

8. Check for Corrupted System Files with SFC and DISM

Corrupted system files can prevent Windows 11 installation. Run these tools to repair them:

Open Command Prompt as an administrator.
Type sfc /scannow and press Enter.
Once complete, run: DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth.
Restart your PC and retry the installation.

9. Ensure the Partition is GPT

Windows 11 requires the boot partition to use the GPT (GUID Partition Table) format instead of MBR (Master Boot Record) or NTFS.

Open Disk Management (Windows + X > Disk Management).
Right-click on your drive > Properties > Volumes tab.
Check the partition style. If it’s MBR, convert it to GPT using the MBR2GPT tool.
Open Command Prompt as an administrator.
Type mbr2gpt /convert and press Enter.

Upgrading to Windows 11 can be a smooth process if you follow the right steps and address any issues that come up. By checking system requirements and following steps correctly, you’ll be able to resolve your issue. Once resolved, you’ll be able to enjoy the new Windows 11.

troubleshooting Windows 11