Windows 11 clean install on the repair bench

Full NLCRC bench guide for a clean Windows 11 install after hardware repair. Before you wipe - Confirm storage is detected in BIOS/UEFI and SMART is not failing hard. - Export BitLocker recovery key if the volume still mounts. - Note OEM edition (Home/Pro) and whether the customer uses a Microsoft account. Media - Use the official Media Creation Tool or a known-good ISO on a 8 GB+ USB. - Prefer UEFI + GPT. Disable CSM/legacy unless the board forces it. Install steps 1) Boot USB → Custom install → delete old Windows partitions only when the customer agreed to wipe. 2) Recreate a single primary (setup will make EFI/MSR/Recovery as needed) or let Windows auto-partition an empty disk. 3) Complete OOBE with local account if the shop policy prefers it; otherwise Microsoft account. 4) Install chipset → storage → GPU → NIC → then OEM utilities. 5) Windows Update twice with a reboot between passes. Handover - Show the customer the local admin / Microsoft account path used. - Leave a one-page note: board PN, Windows edition, and that drivers were refreshed.