Installation media, such as a USB flash drive, can be used to install a new copy of Windows, perform a clean installation of Windows, or reinstall Windows. To create installation media, go to the software download website, where step-by-step instructions can be found.

If some Windows functions aren't working or Windows crashes, use the System File Checker to scan Windows and restore your files. Though the steps below might look complicated at first glance, just follow them in order, step-by-step, and we’ll try to get you back on track.

Some Office 2019, Office 2016, and Office 2013 products come with a product key. If yours did, before installing Microsoft 365 for the first time, sign in with an existing or new Microsoft account and enter your product key at office.com/setup. Redeeming your key is what links your account with Microsoft 365 so you only have to do this once.

Here's some of the things you can do in the PC Health Check app in Windows: If you’re currently running Windows 10, PC Health Check provides a comprehensive eligibility check for your device to ensure it meets the Windows 11 minimum system requirements.

For Microsoft 365 operated by 21 Vianet go to login.partner.microsoftonline.cn. For Microsoft 365 Germany go to portal.office.de. This completes the download of Microsoft 365 to your device. To complete the installation, follow the prompts in the "Install Microsoft 365" section below.

Download and install the new Microsoft Edge. Make sure you have administrator privileges on your device and do the following: Go to the Microsoft Edge web page to download and install Microsoft Edge on your Windows, macOS, iOS, or Android device.

A BitLocker recovery key is needed when BitLocker can’t automatically unlock an encrypted drive in Windows. This key, which is a 48-digit number, is used to regain access to the drive. You might be prompted for the BitLocker recovery key during startup, due to a security risk or hardware change:

Find answers to top questions about upgrading to Windows 11, from the minimum hardware requirements to where to find the upgrade.

In early 2024, National Public Data, an online background check and fraud prevention service, experienced a significant data breach. This breach allegedly exposed up to 2.9 billion records with highly sensitive personal data of up to 170M people in the US, UK, and Canada (Bloomberg Law).

Find Windows 11 specs, features, and computer requirements. To check if your current Windows 10 PC can run Windows 11, download the PC Health Check app once it becomes available. Download PC Health Check. For more about system requirements, see Windows 11 specs, features, and computer requirements.