Upgrading SSD on New Laptop: Error installing Windows 11 from media boot USB

[ToddBowers]

Question: I received my new laptop today. It came preinstalled with only 250GB SSD so I bought a 1TB to upgrade it. I first ran though Windows 11 with the preinstalled SSD just to activate Windows, than I shut it down, installed the NEW SSD, and turned the Laptop back on.

I used Microsoft's site's media creation tool to create a USB Windows 11 installation USB and the bootable media Windows 11 from the USB seemed to work. The Laptop started to reinstall Windows 11 again BUT I hit a wall when it needed to connect to a WiFi network. It doesn't identify ANY networks!

I put the original SSD back and it connects super quick (I was worried I damaged the Realtek Wi-Fi 6 wireless card when upgrading SSD.

Thus, I think it needs the driver. As I can't get past that 'connect to network' screen to get into windows what's my best option? I would have thought Windows setup would have had enough generic drivers to handle most adapters and this one was preinstalled on a new HP Laptop so I'd assume it's quite common.

I was told to try a fresh reinstall off of the USB setting the primary boot from USB in BIOS but that didn't work. Is it simply a corrupt/bad download from Microsoft?

As Windows connects automatically from the preinstalled SSD, should I try CLONING my Windows? There's obviously nothing I need other than the drivers though.

I'm confused. Super Depressing. The touchpad didn't work on the new SSD either.

 

[hotaru.hino]

There doesn't seem to be a generic Wi-Fi driver like there is with say Ethernet, and Wi-Fi 6 was adopted about a year or so before Windows 11 was launched, so not really enough time for Microsoft to start shipping with generic drivers (it's a similar story to why Windows 7 doesn't have native USB 3.0 support).

In any case, I'd say get a cheap USB to Ethernet, those are usually plug and play.

 

[ToddBowers]

There doesn't seem to be a generic Wi-Fi driver like there is with say Ethernet, and Wi-Fi 6 was adopted about a year or so before Windows 11 was launched, so not really enough time for Microsoft to start shipping with generic drivers (it's a similar story to why Windows 7 doesn't have native USB 3.0 support).

In any case, I'd say get a cheap USB to Ethernet, those are usually plug and play.

Thank you so very much!

Something like this? USB C to Ethernet Adapter, uni Driver Free RJ45 to USB C [Thunderbolt 3/4 Compatible], 1Gbps Type-C Gigabit Ethernet LAN Network Adapter for MacBook Pro/Air, iPad Pro, Dell XPS

Would Windows 11 recognize it during the installation and use that to identify networks to connect to the network? I'm assuming this is simply a 'workaround' to install Windows 11 and once it's installed I'll be able to have Windows find and install the latest drivers online? On the preinstalled USB where Windows 11 is installed, I did make sure the drivers were up to date, but that was obviously on the SSD I want to replace.

Thank you so very much! I really appreciate it very much! First time posting here on Tom's Hardware!

 

[hotaru.hino]

Actually one more thing to try, it slipped my mind: you can try adding the drivers into a Windows installer https://woshub.com/integrate-drivers-to-windows-install-media/

But otherwise I believe Uni is a good brand. Otherwise I'd go with Anker or Cable Matters.

 

[ubuysa]

If it's a laptop just buy a cable and connect direct to your route whilst you install.

 

[hotaru.hino]

If it's a laptop just buy a cable and connect direct to your route whilst you install.

Most laptops these days don't come with an Ethernet port.