The right order for a fresh Windows install on a gaming PC is: install Windows and let it finish updating, add the chipset driver, install the graphics driver from the GPU maker, then change a short list of settings, and only after that install launchers and games. Doing the drivers before the games, and the games last, prevents most of the stutter, crash and “why is my monitor stuck at 60 Hz” problems that show up after a rebuild.
This checklist is written for a 2026 desktop or laptop that is being wiped, rebuilt or set up for the first time. It assumes a standard Windows 11 install, a single main drive and a discrete graphics card. Menu names change between Windows builds, so treat the steps as a map and confirm exact wording in the Settings app and on the hardware vendors’ own support pages.
Prepare Before You Wipe Anything
Most of the pain in a reinstall comes from missing something you needed after the wipe. Ten minutes of preparation saves an evening.
Back Up Saves, Configs and Keys
Many games store saves and settings in the Documents folder, the AppData folder or the cloud, and a few keep them only on the local drive. Copy your Documents, Desktop and Downloads folders to another drive, and note which launchers have cloud sync turned on. Also export browser bookmarks and record any license keys for creative or productivity software that is not tied to an account.
Download Drivers Onto a USB Drive First
Windows may not have a working network driver the moment it finishes installing. Using a second device, download the motherboard’s LAN and Wi-Fi drivers, the chipset package and the graphics driver, and keep them on a USB stick. That removes the chicken-and-egg problem of needing a driver to reach the internet to download a driver.
Make a Bootable Installer
Use Microsoft’s official media creation tool to build a USB installer, and use a drive of at least 8 GB. Download it only from Microsoft’s own site, not a mirror. If the PC is older than a few years, confirm that the firmware has Secure Boot and TPM available, since Windows 11 expects both.
Install Windows and Update Before Anything Else
During setup, choose the drive deliberately. If you have two drives, disconnect or ignore the secondary one so Windows does not place its boot files on the wrong disk. Delete old partitions on the target drive only when you are certain the backup is complete.
- Boot from the USB installer and select a custom install on the intended drive.
- Finish the first-run setup, sign in and connect to the network.
- Open Windows Update, install everything it offers and restart, repeating until it reports nothing pending.
- Check Optional updates for driver packages, but do not rely on them for the graphics driver.
Letting Windows finish its first big round of updates before installing games avoids installs being interrupted by a forced restart halfway through a download.
Driver Install Order That Avoids Problems
The order matters because later drivers depend on earlier ones. The table shows a sensible sequence and the reason for each step.
| Step | What to install | Why this position |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Chipset driver from the motherboard or CPU maker | Sets up storage, USB and power management correctly for the platform |
| 2 | LAN and Wi-Fi drivers | Gives stable networking before large downloads |
| 3 | Graphics driver from NVIDIA, AMD or Intel | Enables full resolution, refresh rate and GPU features |
| 4 | Audio and Bluetooth drivers | Usually minor, but the board vendor’s versions fix odd dropouts |
| 5 | Peripheral software for mouse, keyboard and headset | Install last and only what you actually use |
Chipset First
The chipset package is the one people skip, and on AMD platforms in particular it also carries power plan files that affect how the CPU boosts. Take it from the CPU or motherboard maker rather than a third-party driver tool.
Graphics Driver Next
Download the graphics driver directly from the GPU maker. When the installer offers a clean install option, use it on a fresh system only if you hit trouble, because a brand-new Windows install has nothing old to remove. Skip optional extras you will not use, such as extra audio components, but keep the core driver.
Firmware and BIOS Settings
Before settling in, enter the firmware setup and confirm the memory profile (often called XMP or EXPO) is enabled, because RAM often runs at a lower default speed. Also check that the primary display output and, on supported systems, Resizable BAR options match what the GPU maker documents. A BIOS update can help stability, but only update from the manufacturer’s page and never interrupt it.
Windows Settings Worth Changing
You do not need dozens of tweaks. A handful of changes covers most of the gains and the rest is placebo.
Display and Refresh Rate
Open Display settings, then Advanced display, and set the refresh rate to the monitor’s maximum. Windows often defaults to 60 Hz after a clean install, and many buyers never notice. Confirm the cable too: a high refresh rate at full resolution depends on the cable and port standard.
Power Plan and Game Mode
Set the power mode to Balanced or Best Performance on a desktop, and keep Game Mode on unless a specific title misbehaves. On a laptop, plug in the charger for gaming, since battery profiles usually cap the GPU.
Hardware-Accelerated GPU Scheduling and Storage
Windows offers a hardware-accelerated GPU scheduling toggle in the graphics settings. Its effect varies by GPU and driver, so leave it at the default and change it only if a vendor note tells you to. Also confirm that game installs go to the fast drive, not a slow secondary one.
Privacy, Notifications and Startup Apps
Turn off notification pop-ups while a game is running, review what launches at startup in Task Manager, and disable launchers you do not need on boot. Fewer background apps means more free memory and fewer surprise overlays.
Storage Health and Free Space
Leave a healthy amount of free space on the system drive, since SSD performance and Windows updates both suffer when a drive is nearly full. Check the drive maker’s utility for firmware updates, and confirm the drive is running in the correct slot at its rated interface speed, which the motherboard manual explains.
Install Launchers and Games Last
Install the launchers you actually use, one at a time, and sign in before downloading anything big. The common set is Steam, the Epic launcher, the Xbox app, GOG Galaxy and the publisher launchers for specific titles.
- Library folders: create a game library on your fastest drive and point each launcher at it before you begin.
- Cloud saves: let each launcher sync before you launch a game so older saves are not overwritten.
- Download limits: set a bandwidth cap if the network is shared.
- Anti-cheat and runtime packages: some games install their own components, and letting them finish avoids first-launch crashes.
Install only the games you will play this week. Everything else can be reinstalled quickly later.
Quick Verification Checklist
- Windows Update shows nothing pending.
- Chipset, LAN and graphics drivers show current versions in Device Manager.
- Monitor runs at its maximum refresh rate and native resolution.
- Memory profile is active in the firmware.
- Game library path points at the fastest drive.
- Cloud saves have synced in each launcher.
- Startup apps list is short.
Common Mistakes
- Installing the graphics driver from a driver-updater site instead of the GPU maker.
- Installing games before Windows Update has finished, leading to interrupted downloads and forced restarts.
- Leaving the monitor at 60 Hz because the display was never checked after the install.
- Forgetting the memory profile in the firmware, so RAM runs well below its rated speed.
- Deleting the old drive before confirming that saves and keys were backed up.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Should I install drivers before or after Windows Update?
Let Windows Update finish its first rounds so the base system is current, then install the chipset and graphics drivers from the hardware makers. Windows may offer an older graphics driver on its own, and the vendor version is generally the one to use.
Do I need to reinstall Windows regularly?
No. A reinstall makes sense after persistent crashes, malware, a major hardware change or a drive swap. Routine slowdowns are usually cured by cleaning startup apps and updating drivers.
Is a driver updater tool worth using?
Generally no. The vendor’s own site and the motherboard support page cover chipset, network and graphics drivers, and third-party tools can install mismatched versions.
Which launcher should I install first?
Install the one that holds most of your library. Set its library folder first, let cloud saves sync, then add the others. Order matters less than choosing a fast drive for installs.
