Surface PRO 11 (Snapdragon X Elite) - how to boot from usb-c to install a new / different languige version windows 11 replace the original English version?

Question

Hi I have just bought a new Surface PRO 11 (Snapdragon X Elite) - tried to boot from usb-c to install a new / different languige version windows 11 replace the original English version. but what ever I changed bios setting and use volume plus or minus buttone + power, cannot boot from usb. How to solve this problem? or you have different way to reinstall windows 11 diffrent version?

Answer 1

Hello, Henrydomino.

Welcome to Microsoft Community!

What I would like to confirm with you here is whether you can access your UEFI/BIOS correctly?

I am sharing a detailed procedure with you here:

1. Shut down your Surface and wait about 10 seconds to make sure it's off.
2. Press and hold the volume-up button on your Surface, and, at the same time, press and release the power button.
3. The Microsoft or Surface logo appears on your screen. Continue to hold the volume-up button. Release the button when the UEFI screen appears.

When attempting to boot from USB, you need to make sure that the recovery media you make is compliant, and I'll go ahead and share the following link with you:

Surface Recovery Image Download - Microsoft Support

If your USB media is formatted incorrectly it may also prevent booting from USB.

Meanwhile, the above link provides an image file dedicated to Surface devices, which contains drivers and other things that are not found in regular Windows images.

Next, you can proceed with the installation by referring to the content in the following links:

Creating and using a USB recovery drive for Surface - Microsoft Support

The link shows us a complete demo video and key textual guidelines:

These are some of the details I was able to share with you about reinstallation.

I am here to look forward to your progress and support you all the way.

In the meantime, I wish you a Merry Christmas!

Best Regards.

Leo.L - Microsoft Community Support Specialist

Answer 2

Hi Leo.L, Merry Chrismas!

Thanks for your answer. the purpese I have tried to boot from usb-c is for installing the new version (simplify Chinese Windows 11) to replace the current factory windows 11 English version. I have done all steps you suggested above and prepared usb windows 11 chinese version (which I have already tried in other laptop to make sure its work). but I couldn't boot from usb-c by using this new version windows 11.

Henry

Answer 3

Hi, Henrydomino.

Thank you for your reply and well wishes.

As I am not sure if your device is currently accessible. For devices that cannot access the system properly, a fresh install via a USB recovery drive is an effective method.

Also, I understand from your description that you did not actually get the Surface image from the first link I provided you: Surface Recovery Image Download - Microsoft Support

Here I need to let you know some details:

The Windows 11 image does not contain all the required drivers for the Surface device, which may also prevent you from booting from USB-C.

In fact, you don't need to reinstall to use the Chinese version of the system. You can refer to the following steps:

1. Open Settings:

• Click on the Start button and select Settings (gear icon).

2. Go to Time and Language Settings:

• In the Settings window, select Time and Language.

3. Select Language:

• In the left-hand menu, select “Language”.

4. Add a language:

• In the “Preferred language” section, click the “Add language” button.
• In the pop-up window, search for and select the language you want to add, then click “Next”.
• Follow the prompts to install the language pack and choose whether to set it as the display language.

5. Set it as the display language:

• When the installation is complete, in the “Preferred language” list, select the language you just added and click “Set as default”.
• Reboot the device to apply the changes.

Of course, if you need to set the language during the installation of the system, you can select the Chinese system in the step of keyboard layout.

Installing the system still requires you to use the correct image file, as I provided you with in my initial reply.

I wish you all the best.

Best Regards.

Leo.L - Microsoft Community Support Specialist

Answer 4

Thanks, Leo.L,

the surface pro 11 is brand new, and working perfect with factory installed windows 11 home. the reason i request the help is on the question title: I need install a new languige version of windows 11 to replace the one currently running in this new surface. TO REPLACE THE CURRENT ENGLISH VERSION BY A DIFFERENT VERSION WINDOWS 11. BUT USB-C CANNOT BOOT UP. Hope you understand my request this time. I need you help to boot up from usb-c port for installing new version of windows 11 to replace the current factory one . I do not need to do recovery because the laptop is working fine with the factory windows 11.

Thanks,

Henry

Answer 5

the purperse of this request is: IN fact, I do need reinstall to use the Chinese version of the system to replace the english version. I dont need refer to you mentioned above those "following steps". but I do need you to help me to make the usb port bootable!!! thank you