How to Install Windows 11 on a Lenovo IdeaPad 5: A Step-by-Step Guide

Preparing for Windows Installation

• 💡 Windows installation on a Lenovo IdeaPad 5 can be done for various reasons, including a lack of an operating system, forgotten passwords, or corrupted systems, providing a fresh start.
• ⚠️ You will need a USB drive of at least 8GB (preferably 16GB) and another Windows device to create the bootable drive if you cannot access your current system.

Downloading Necessary Files

• 🚀 Download the Windows 11 ISO directly from the official Microsoft website by selecting "Download Windows 11 Disk Image (ISO)".
• 🛠️ Download Rufus from rufus.ie to create the bootable USB drive.
• 💻 Access the Lenovo support website (pcsupport.lenovo.com) using your laptop's serial number or model name to find and download essential drivers, particularly the Wi-Fi driver.

Creating the Bootable USB Drive

• 🔌 Select your USB drive in Rufus, choose the downloaded Windows 11 ISO file, and click 'Start' to create the bootable USB drive.
• 📌 Crucially, copy the downloaded Lenovo drivers, especially the Wi-Fi driver, onto the bootable USB drive after Rufus has finished.

Installing Windows and Drivers

• 💻 Shut down your Lenovo IdeaPad 5, plug in the bootable USB drive, and power on the laptop while repeatedly pressing F12 to access the boot menu.
• 🖱️ Select the USB drive from the boot menu and proceed with the Windows installation, deleting all existing partitions on the system disk (Disk 0) to ensure a clean install.
• 🔑 After Windows installation, use Shift + F10 to open the command prompt and navigate to the USB drive (e.g., D:) to manually install the Wi-Fi driver if it wasn't automatically detected.
• ✅ Once the Wi-Fi driver is installed, you can connect to your network and continue with the remaining Windows setup and driver installations.