How to Reinstall Windows on Xiaomi Laptop: A Complete Guide from A to Z

Reinstalling Windows on Xiaomi laptops is a challenge that every Mi Notebook, RedmiBook or Xiaomi Book Pro owner will face sooner or later. The reasons can range from banal system slowdowns to critical errors after updates or virus attacks. But unlike standard PCs, Xiaomi laptops have a number of features, from hidden recovery partitions to specific drivers for touchpad and keyboard.

In this article, we will analyze the whole process from scratch: from preparing a laptop and creating a bootable media to the intricacies of installing and configuring Windows. 10/11 We will focus on common errors (for example, the absence of drivers on Wi-Fi after installation) and how to solve them. If you have never reinstalled the OS before or are afraid of damaging data, don’t worry: our guide is designed for users of any level.

1. Preparing Xiaomi laptop for reinstalling Windows

Before you start installing, you need to follow a few critical steps, neglecting them can lead to data loss, inability to activate Windows or even to “brick” the device (especially on models with a Windows-based system). UEFI Secure Boot).

Start by saving important files. Even if you plan to install Windows on another partition, there is always the risk of accidentally formatting the drive or encountering an error in the process. Use an external drive or cloud storage (such as Mi Cloud, if you have a Xiaomi account). Note that some RedmiBook models have a hidden Recovery partition - it is also worth saving if you want to keep the rollback to factory firmware.

• 📁 Backup: Copy documents, photos and projects to an external drive or the cloud. Don't forget Desktop, Downloads and AppData folders (which store program settings).
• 🔑 Windows Activation Key: If your OS has been pre-activated (for example, on Mi Notebook Pro with licensed Windows 11), extract the key using NirSoft’s ProduKey utility.
• 🔌 Battery charging: make sure the laptop is connected to the network. The installation process can take up to 2-3 hours, and battery discharge in the middle of the process will lead to a failure.
• 🛠️ Drivers and software: download drivers for your model in advance from the official Xiaomi website (section "Support"). Drivers for Wi-Fi, Touchpad and Power Management are especially important.

⚠️ Note: On Xiaomi laptops with BIOS from InsydeH2O (For example, RedmiBook 14/15) You may have the Fast Boot option enabled, which blocks access to the boot menu. BIOS (keyboard F2 when loading) and transfer the parameter to the Disabled position.

2. Select Windows version: 10 or 11?

One of the most common questions is which version of the OS to install on a Xiaomi laptop, and there is no universal answer: it depends on the model of the device and your tasks.

For most Xiaomi laptops 2020–2023 Years of release (Mi Notebook) 14/15, RedmiBook Pro) Windows 11 It will be the best choice – it is better optimized for modern Intel processors. 11/12-generation and AMD Ryzen 5000/6000. If you have a larger model, for example, Mi Notebook Air. 12.5 Intel Core m3), You should stay on Windows. 10.

Important: Xiaomi often ships laptops with pre-activated Windows (key sewn into the BIOS). When you install a new version of the OS, activation should go automatically, but if you change the edition (for example, from Home to Pro), you may need a separate key.

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If you’re not sure which version of Windows was originally installed on your laptop, check the sticker on the bottom of the device or use the wmic os get command caption in the command line (Win) + R → cmd).

3.Creating a bootable flash drive for Xiaomi

To install Windows will require a boot USB-It's important: the flash drive will be formatted, so copy all the data from it in advance. We recommend using the official tool from Microsoft - Media Creation Tool, but for Xiaomi laptops there are nuances.

If you're a model with UEFI (And this is almost all modern Mi Notebook and RedmiBook, the flash drive needs to be formatted into FAT32, not NTFS. Otherwise, you will not be able to boot from it in mode. UEFI. Here's the step-by-step instruction:

1. Download Media Creation Tool from Microsoft.
2. Connect the flash drive and run the utility. Select "Create installation media for another computer."
3. Specify language, editorial (Windows) 10/11 Home or Pro and architecture (64-bit).
4. Select your flash drive in the list of carriers and wait for the recording to be completed.

Xiaomi models with Secure Boot (such as Mi Notebook Pro X) may need to disable this option in the app. BIOS, Otherwise, the system won't be able to boot from the external media:

1. Restart the laptop and press. F2 (Or Del on some models to enter the BIOS.
2. Go to the Security section → Secure Boot and set the Disabled value.
3. Save settings (F10) and restart.

⚠️ Note: Some Xiaomi laptops (e.g. RedmiBook 16) may lose the ability to download from the Secure Boot after disabling the device. SSD. In this case, return the settings. BIOS in the initial state and use the flash drive formatted in NTFS supportive UEFI (This is the Rufus utility with the option. GPT for UEFI).

Download the official ISO-windows|Check for errors (via chkdsk)|Format in FAT32 (for UEFI)|Disable Secure Boot in BIOS (if necessary)|Check the boot from the flash drive in Boot Menu (F12)

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4.Tune in. BIOS install Windows

BIOS Xiaomi laptops often raise questions from users because of the non-standard interface (especially on models with a high-end user interface). InsydeH2O). The main challenge is to set the boot priority so that the system tries to boot from the flash drive first, not from the hard drive:

1. Turn on the laptop and press immediately F2 (or Del to enter into BIOS. Some models (Mi Notebook Air) may need to hold Fn. + F2.

2. Go to the Boot (or Advanced) section → Boot Options).

3. Find the Boot Mode option and set the value UEFI (If you have a modern laptop or Legacy (for older models).

4. In the list of boot devices (Boot Priority) move your flash drive to the first place with the help of keys F5/F6 or drag-and-drop.

5. Save the settings (F10) and confirm the exit.

If after saving the laptop does not boot from the flash drive, try:

• 🔄 Reconnect the flash drive to another USB-Port (on some Xiaomi models only ports are used) USB 3.0 blue).
• 🔧 V BIOS disable the Fast Boot option (it can block downloads from external media).
• 💾 Try to boot up using Boot Menu (keyboard) F12 switch-on).

On Xiaomi laptops with processors AMD Ryzen (e.g. RedmiBook 15 with Ryzen 7) 5700U) You may need to disable the option "AMD fTPM" BIOS, Windows 11 installer will issue an error about the absence of TPM 2.0.

5. The process of installing Windows on Xiaomi

When the flash drive is ready and BIOS It's a little bit different than the standard one, but there are a few things that Xiaomi owners should pay attention to:

1. After downloading from the flash drive, select the language, time format and keyboard layout. Click Next.

2.In the window with the button Set Shift press + F10, This will help you sort out partitions if the installer can't see them.

3. At the stage of selecting the disk, you will see several sections:

• Section 1 (100-500 MB) — EFI-section (do not touch!).
• Section 2 (16-32 MB) — MSR (reserved).
• Section 3 (main volume) – Windows will be installed here.
• Section 4 (if any) – Recovery (can be removed if you don’t plan to return to the factory firmware).

Select Section 3 and press Format. If you want to divide the disk into C: and D:, do it now.

4. After formatting, select the main partition and click Next, and you'll start copying files and installing them.

Important: on Xiaomi laptops with NVMe drives (for example, Mi Notebook Pro 15 with NVMe) SSD Samsung PM981) The installer may not see the disk:

• 🔌 Connect your laptop to the Internet via an Ethernet adapter (Wi-Fi does not work at this stage).
• 🖥️ In the disk selection window, click Download the driver and specify the path to the NVMe drivers (they can be downloaded from the Xiaomi website or from the official manufacturer's website). SSD).

⚠️ Note: If you are installing Windows 11 on a Xiaomi laptop with an Intel processor 8-Installers of the same generation or older may block the continuation due to lack of TPM 2.0. To get around this, when an error appears, press Shift. + F10, Enter the regedit command, then go on the way HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\Setup\LabConfig Create a BypassTPMCheck parameter with a value 1.

Installation of drivers and system configuration after reinstallation

Once you have successfully installed Windows, you will be greeted by unfamiliar devices in Task Manager and no brightness control or touchpad. That's OK, you need to install drivers. Here's the optimal course of action:

Internet connection:

- If Wi-Fi is not working, use an Ethernet adapter or USB-phone modem.

For Xiaomi laptops with Qualcomm Wi-Fi (such as Mi Notebook 14), a separate driver from the manufacturer’s website may be required.

Installation of drivers:

Download the driver package for your model from the official Xiaomi website.

Start with Chipset (motherboard microprogram), then install drivers for:

• 🖥️ Video cards (Intel/NVIDIA/AMD).
• 🔊 Audio (Realtek or Nahimic).
• 🖱️ Touchpads (Synaptics or ELAN).
• 📶 Wi-Fi/Bluetooth (Intel or Qualcomm).
• 🔋 Power management (important for proper battery operation).

After installing the drivers, restart the laptop.

System setup:

- Activate Windows (if not activated automatically) through Settings → Update and security → Activation.

Update your system through Windows Update.

Set up a power plan (we recommend a balanced scheme for most tasks).

Install an antivirus (e.g. Windows Defender or Kaspersky Free).

Data recovery:

- Transfer the saved files back to the laptop.

Install the necessary programs (browser, office applications, etc.).

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Do not use third-party driver packages (e.g. DriverPack Solution) – they often install unnecessary software and may conflict with official Xiaomi drivers.

7.Typical errors and their solutions

Even with the exact instructions, there can be problems, and we have collected the most common errors when reinstalling Windows on Xiaomi laptops and how to solve them:

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

• 🔋 Is the Power Management driver installed (without it, the battery may not charge).
• 🌡️ Does the cooling system work (sometimes after resetting) BIOS ventilator settings are lost).
• 🖥️ Are background processes running (e.g. Windows Update or antivirus scanning).

On Xiaomi models with dual graphics (integrated Intel) + discrete NVIDIA) After you install Windows, you may not switch the graphics card to fix it:

1. Install the latest drivers for both video cards from official sites.
2. To the control panel. NVIDIA Set up your preferred graphics processor for applications.
3. Check in. BIOS, Discrete graphics card disabled (Graphic Device option must be in Switchable position).

8. Windows optimization after reinstalling

A clean Windows installation is a great reason to optimize your system for maximum performance. Here's what to do on a Xiaomi laptop:

1. Disable unnecessary services and autoboot:

- Press Ctrl. + Shift + Esc, go to the Autoboot tab and disable unnecessary programs.

- In services (services.msc) disable Superfetch (if you have a service) SSD) Windows Search (if you don’t use the search).

2. Set up a power plan:

For maximum performance, select High Performance Scheme.

To save battery, adjust the Balanced Plan and reduce the brightness of the screen to 60-70%.

3. Optimize SSD:

- Turn off defragmentation for SSD (Optimization of disks → Modify the parameters → Select a disc → Shut down).

- Turn it on. TRIM (It is usually enabled by default, but you can check the fsutil behavior command query DisableDeleteNotify - must return 0).

Set up the cooling:

Install the Xiaomi Quick Charge utility (if included) to control the cooler.

- For manual settings, use ThrottleStop (for Intel) or Ryzen Controller (for Intel). AMD).

5. Install useful software:

Mi Bluetooth Driver (if Bluetooth is not working)

- Xiaomi PC Manager (for driver updates and system monitoring).

- Notepad++ or VS Code (for editing configuration files).

For Xiaomi laptops with OLED-screens (e.g. Xiaomi Book Pro 13) are recommended:

• 🖥️ Reduce brightness to 70-80% to avoid pixel burnout.
• 🎨 Enable night mode (Parameters) → System system → Display. → Night light).
• 🔄 Use dynamic keyboard lighting (if any) to reduce battery load.

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After reinstalling Windows on Xiaomi, be sure to check the function keys (brightness, sound, turn on / off Wi-Fi). If they do not work, install the Hotkey driver from the official website.

FAQ: Frequent questions about reinstalling Windows on Xiaomi