Windows 11 on a Dell Optiplex 7040

Question

I started downloading windows 11 for a Dell Optiplex 7040 using a flash drive, through rufus and keeping all my files. But while trying to upload windows 11 It can't seem upload properly. Message I see on the screen says "It looks like you started an upgrade and booted from installation media. If you want to continue with the upgrade, remove the media from your PC and click Yes. If you want to perform a clean installation instead, click No" when I follow these steps and the computer restarts it says, "No bootable devices found". Windows 11 can't upload and I don't seem to be able to even go back to windows 10. Help Needed.

Answer 1

The upgrade seems to have failed, try forcing your PC into the recovery Environment using these steps, and then try each available recovery piton in there.

Start your PC, just as Windows attempts to load (spinning dots), press and hold Power Button for 5 - 10 seconds to perform a Hard Shut Down

Do this twice

On the third start Windows will boot into the Recovery Environment and from there you can access System Repair, Safe Mode, Command Prompt... etc.

Please try each option one at a time, then see if Windows will boot up correctly.

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If there is an option to roll back the upgrade, that will be the best option.

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Go to Troubleshoot - Advanced Option - Startup Repair

See if Windows startup can repair itself

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Go to Troubleshoot - Advanced Option - System Restore

Check to see if you have a restore point you can go back to

Answer 2

It sounds like you're encountering issues with the Windows 11 installation on your Dell Optiplex 7040. Here are some steps you can follow to troubleshoot the problem:

1. Ensure Correct Boot Order: Make sure that your BIOS/UEFI settings are configured to boot from the USB flash drive first. You can access these settings by pressing a key (like F2, F10, Del, or Esc) during startup.
2. Use the Correct Installation Media: If you are using Rufus to create the bootable USB, ensure that you have selected the correct partition scheme (GPT for UEFI systems) and file system (NTFS or FAT32) when creating the installation media.
3. Remove Installation Media: If you see the message about starting an upgrade and booting from installation media, it suggests that the system is trying to boot from the USB drive instead of continuing the upgrade. Remove the USB drive and click "Yes" to continue with the upgrade.
4. Check for Compatibility: Ensure that your Dell Optiplex 7040 meets the minimum system requirements for Windows 11. You can use the PC Health Check app to verify compatibility.
5. Revert to Windows 10: If you are unable to boot into Windows 10, you can try accessing the recovery options. Restart your PC and repeatedly press F8 or Shift + F8 during boot to access recovery options. From there, you may be able to restore your previous version of Windows.
6. Consider Clean Installation: If the upgrade continues to fail, you may need to perform a clean installation of Windows 11. This will erase all files, so ensure you have backups of important data before proceeding. You can do this by booting from the USB drive and selecting "Nothing" when prompted about what to keep during installation.

If these steps do not resolve the issue, you may want to consult Dell support or the Microsoft support forums for further assistance.

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References:

• Windows 10 upgrade to Windows 11 considerations
• Using ISOs