Instructions to erase a computer and re-install Windows 11
Use these instructions to wipe and reinstall Windows 11 on a computer that is no longer connected to the Intune management system. Please only do this when asked to by the Tech Support team.
You'll need to create a Windows USB installation drive first. Please go to https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/software-download/windows11 and choose this option to download a Windows 11 ISO file:
Click "Confirm", choose the language you want to use, click "Confirm" again, then click "64-bit Download"
Then download and install Balena Etcher on your Windows computer. If you only have a Mac, please contact Tech Support for assistance. There is an application called WinDiskWriter that will work on a Mac, but it is more complicated to install and use.
You will then use the Balena Etcher to create a Windows installation USB drive. Please use a USB drive that doesn't have anything important on it - it will be erased in the process. Balena Etcher is very easy to use. Just click "Select Image" and choose the Windows 11 ISO file you downloaded. Then go to "Select Drive" and choose your USB drive. Then click "Flash!" and it will create the drive.
Then you'll put the USB drive in the computer you want to reset. Next, you'll need to restart the computer and open the boot menu. The keys you need to press to get to the boot menu are different depending on the brand and model of the computer.
Microsoft Surface - volume down button
Lenovo - F12 (may be different on some models)
Terra - different for each because Terra uses parts from different manufactures. Try Del, Enter, Esc, and F7 through F12. Contact Tech Support for assistnace if you aren't able to find it.
Turn off the computer, then press and hold the boot menu button for your laptop brand/model. While continuing to hold down the boot menu button, press and release the Power button. This should bring you to a menu where you can choose which drive to start from. Choose the USB drive.
Microsoft Surface - volume down button
Lenovo - F12 (may be different on some models)
Terra - different for each because Terra uses parts from different manufactures. Try Del, Enter, Esc, and F7 through F12. Contact Tech Support for assistnace if you aren't able to find it.
Turn off the computer, then press and hold the boot menu button for your laptop brand/model. While continuing to hold down the boot menu button, press and release the Power button. This should bring you to a menu where you can choose which drive to start from. Choose the USB drive.
This will then take you to Windows setup. When asked if you want to use "Upgrade" or "Custom" installation, choose "Custom".
When asked where to install it, delete every entry that shows up for drive 0 until all you have left is "Drive 0 Unallocated Space". Then choose that and continue.
Continue through installation, and after the restart go through the initial setup. Connect it to wifi before you do anything else. When it asks for a computer name, enter the serial number.
When it asks you how you want to set it up, choose "Set up for work or school".
Sign in with your Windows credentials, then leave the computer powered on and connected to the network for a few hours to make sure everything gets installed. Ask someone from the Tech Support team to verify that we can see the device in our management system. Then you can log out and shut the computer down. It will then be ready to give to an employee.
Please schedule an appointment if you would like assistance with any part of this process: https://calendar.app.google/RuXLu38aavWwKUEb6