Reinstall original Windows 11 and overwrite the current erroneous Windows 10 installation

Question

While trying to clean up my laptop and remove duplicates, I received the error message 7 stopcode IRQL NOT LESS THAN EQUAL. What failed: ntoskml.exe.

Because I could not reboot past this and it got stuck in a loop, , I took it to a repair shop and they installed Windows 10 instead of the original window 11. I have a Windows Product Key: REMOVED but I am not sure if its for Windows 11 assigned to this laptop or not. I tried checking directly with Lenovo but they were no help.

Answer 1

Hi, I'm Bernard. I'm happy to help!

Previously, you were using Windows 11. Is that correct? If yes, and you upgraded from Windows 10 to Windows 11 before, it should be a digital license that is bound to your Microsoft account. To upgrade again, kindly follow the steps below:

First, make sure that the PC is compatible with Windows 11:

Kindly run the PC Health Check: https://aka.ms/GetPCHealthCheckApp

For reference: https://support.microsoft.com/en-US/Windows/Experience/Compatibility/how-to-use-the-pc-health-check-app

If it passes the health check, I suggest doing an in-place upgrade, which will upgrade the device to the latest version and repair all issues without deleting any files.

Go to the Windows 11 website: https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/software-download/windows11

 

Under Download Windows 11 Disk Image (ISO), select Windows 11 (multi-edition ISO)

 

1.    Once done downloading the ISO, kindly right-click on the ISO, then click Mount>click Setup.exe

2.    You may be prompted by User Account Control. Click on Yes if so

3.    In the Install Windows 11 dialog, click Next

4.    Setup will check your PC and show a license agreement. Click on Accept in the license terms dialog.

5.    Wait for the setup program to check for the available free space.

6.    On the Ready to install page, make sure Keep personal files and apps has been checked.

7.    Then click Install and just follow the prompt.

8.    Windows 11 will restart your device several times and lead you to the lock screen. Depending on the options you set, it will keep all your files, apps, and user accounts.