I've been struggling to get Windows 11 installed on several computers for days now. The Microsoft site keeps telling me that I can't install an ISO because I'm connected to a VPN, which is odd since I've never used one. I switched to a hotspot and managed to get past that hiccup, but now I'm facing a ton of other issues. Whenever I try to use any ISO I download from their site or with the Media Creation Tool, I either can't start setup.exe or I encounter an error. I've tried installing on a virtual machine, a Mac with Boot Camp, and even on a PC that I'm supposed to give to my brother. The latest problem is a Blue Screen of Death (BSOD). It's starting to feel like Microsoft might have banned me from installing Windows! Help!
4 Answers
First off, you definitely can't get banned from installing Windows. It sounds like you might need to create a Bootable USB drive from the ISO and install it that way. Have you tried that? Also, make sure you're booting from the USB drive during startup for the installation process.
Have you checked to see if your router is using a VPN? That could be causing issues with the downloads. Also, ensure that you're wiping the drive clean before attempting a new install. As for the BSOD, if you can access Safe Mode, look for crash logs in C:WindowsMinidump—those can give insight into what’s crashing.
It could also be that your installer is getting corrupted. If you're downloading over a hotspot, consider switching to a stable Wi-Fi connection. If your ISP has issues like CGNAT, it can mess with your downloads, too. Try getting an installer direct from Microsoft using a solid Wi-Fi connection and create a fresh USB installer. That should help avoid any BSOD issues you're seeing. Also, make sure you’re doing a clean install, just to be safe.
You might be facing issues because of a faulty USB drive. Make sure to try different ones if you haven't already. Sometimes an unreliable flash drive can cause installation errors.
I've already tried a few different USB drives. It seems like none of them are working.
I haven't checked the router, I’ll do that. Thanks for the tip!