How to reinstall Windows on a Xiaomi laptop: a complete guide with nuances

Reinstalling Windows on Xiaomi laptops is a task that requires attention to detail. Unlike most laptops, the brand’s devices often have unique settings. BIOS, Hidden recovery and driver features: Incorrect actions can lead to data loss, inability to download or even “bricking” the device.

In this guide, we will analyze the process from the preparation of the boot media to the final configuration of the system, taking into account the specifics of the Mi Notebook Pro, RedmiBook, Mi Notebook Air and others. Particular attention will be paid to bypassing the lock installation of Windows on some Xiaomi devices with pre-installed Windows 10/11 Home Single Language is a problem that many users face.

1.Reinstallation preparation: what to do before starting

Before you start reinstalling, make sure that all critical steps are followed, and neglect of preparation is the main cause of failures in the process.

First, save all the important data. Reinstall Windows completely clears the system drive (usually C:). Use an external drive or cloud storage (Google Drive, OneDrive, Mi Cloud). Note: some Xiaomi models have a hidden partition X: with drivers - it is also worth archiving.

• 📁 Backup: Copy documents, photos, passwords from browsers (export through chrome://settings/passwords), save games (usually in %AppData% or Documents\My Games).
• 🔑 Windows License: If your version is digitally activated (linked to the motherboard), it does not need to be saved. For boxed versions, write down the key using the wmic path softwarelicensingservice get command. OA3xOriginalProductKey into CMD (on behalf of the administrator).
• 🔌 Charging: connect the laptop to the network. the installation process may take 1-2 One hour, and the battery discharge during the flashing BIOS Windows installation will cause serious failures.

Second, check the laptop model and version. BIOS. This is critical, as some Xiaomi devices (such as the 2020 Mi Notebook Pro 15.6) have a lock on installing third-party OSes:

1. Press Win. + R, enter msinfo32.
2. In the System Information section, find the Model and Version fields BIOS.

⚠️ Note: Xiaomi laptops with Windows 10 Home Single Language preinstalled can block installation of other editions of Windows. In this case, you will need to modify the image or disable Secure Boot manually.

2.Creating a bootable flash drive: which tool to choose

For Xiaomi laptops, standard tools like Microsoft’s Media Creation Tool may not be suitable due to features. UEFI. We recommend using:

• 🛠️ Rufus (version 3.20)+) — Supports the creation of flash drives bypassing the constraints of Secure Boot. GPT and target system UEFI.
• 📀 Ventoy - a universal loader that allows you to place several ISO-It's useful if you're planning to test different versions of Windows.
• 🔧 Official Microsoft tool – suitable only for laptops without locks (for example, RedmiBook) 14/15 2022 year and newer).

Instructions for Rufus:

1. Download the latest version from the official website.
2. Connect a USB flash drive with a capacity of at least 8 GB (16 GB is recommended for Windows 11).
3. In Rufus, select:

START

Locked laptops (such as the Mi Notebook Pro 2020) may require a modified Windows image with remote editing restrictions, MDL or Ru-Board).

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If Rufus issues an error when writing Windows 11 because of the TPM, Download the image with a check-by-pass (for example, Windows 11 Bypass) TPM"). These builds do not violate the license, but simply remove Microsoft’s artificial restrictions.

3.Tune in. BIOS: How to avoid errors when loading

BIOS On laptops, Xiaomi often has a custom interface and hidden options:

1. Turn off the laptop.
2. Hold the key. F2 (For most models, or Del (for Mi Gaming Laptop) and turn on power. Hold the key until the menu appears. BIOS.
3. Go to Boot (or Startup on some versions).
4. Disable Secure Boot (install in Disabled).
5. Find the Fast Boot option and turn it off (this will speed up the boot from the flash drive).
6. In the Save & Exit section, select Boot Override and specify your flash drive (it can be displayed as UEFI: [flash-drive]).

On some models (such as the 2021 RedmiBook 14), the Secure Boot option may be hidden to unlock it:

1. Go to Security section.
2. Find the Set Supervisor Password and set a password (e.g., 1234).
3. The Secure Boot option will be available for change.

⚠️ Warning: If after disabling Secure Boot laptop stops loading, reset settings BIOS On Xiaomi models, this may happen due to a conflict with the module. TPM 2.0.

4. Windows Installation Process: A Step-by-Step Guide

After successfully booting from the flash drive, you will see the Windows Installer screen.

1. Choose the language, keyboard layout and region. For Russia, specify Russian (Russia).
2. Click Install, then I Have No Product Key (activation will happen automatically after connecting to the Internet if the license is tied to the motherboard).
3. Select the correct edition of Windows (for example, Windows 11 Pro).
4. Accept the license terms.
5. At the stage of choosing the type of installation, click Selective: Windows Installation Only.

You can download the drivers:

1. From the official website of Xiaomi (Support section) → Enter the laptop model and select the Windows version.
2. DriverPack Solution or Snappy Driver Installer (Automatic Detection and Installation)
3. Manually from component manufacturers’ websites (e.g. Intel for Wi-Fi or Wi-Fi). NVIDIA video-card).

Pay particular attention to:

• Power management driver: Without it, the laptop won’t display battery power correctly and may suddenly turn off.
• Touchpad Driver: On some models (Mi Notebook Pro) gestures (e.g. zoom) don’t work without an official driver.
• BIOS-Update: After reinstalling Windows, check the relevance of the version BIOS through MIUI+ (If installed, or the Mi Flash Tool.

To check the installed drivers:

1. Press Win + X and select Device Manager.
2. View the exclamation points sections (yellow triangle) – these are devices without drivers.
3. Right-click on such a device and select Update driver.

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After installing drivers, be sure to check the Fn function + Brightness/sound keys. On some Xiaomi models, these combinations don't work without a special Hotkey driver.

Restore factory settings (optional)

If you want to return your laptop to its original state (for example, for sale), use the hidden recovery partition.This method only works if you did not delete the Recovery partition during the installation of Windows.

Instructions for Xiaomi:

1. Turn off the laptop.
2. Hold the key. F10 (or F9 on some models and turn on the power.
3. Wait for the Xiaomi Recovery Menu to appear.
4. Choose Troubleshoot → Reset this PC → Remove everything.
5. Follow the instructions on the screen. 30-60 minute.

If the recovery partition is damaged or deleted, you can download the official recovery image from Xiaomi’s website and write it to a flash drive using the Mi Flash Tool. Note: this method completely erases all data and returns the laptop to the “out of the box” state.

⚠️ Note: Some models (Mi Notebook Pro 2020) recover via F10 It only works when the Internet is connected (the laptop downloads the image from Xiaomi servers). If you have a slow connection, use a pre-prepared flash drive.

7. Frequent errors and their solutions

Even with the exact following of the instructions, there can be problems.

If after installing Windows laptop began to warm up or discharge quickly, check:

• 🔄 Is the power management driver installed (in the Device Manager section System devices should be a point) ACPI).
• ⚡ Power settings: Select Balanced or Energy Saving scheme.
• 🧹 Dust cooling system (relevant for laptops over 2 years old).

FAQ: Answers to popular questions