Windows 10: Updating Windows 11 via USB flash

The instructions MS provides for updating Windows 11 are not complete. At least not for my ThinkCentre desktop.The key issues are that, after you download & create the Windows media, plug the USB flash into the PC drive and download the update/install, & login to the Boot Menu--a screen appears with a message saying it appears you are updating Windows. It gives 2 options: to install all files & apps or a clean install. If you choose an install retaining files & apps, the PC restarts. You have to allow it to open normally no boot. Then you have to open the drive containing

:)

 

Installing windows off of a USB stick

Step By Step from vista:
From admin cmd prompt

1. diskpart
1a. list disk
2. select disk 1 (replace 1 with your usb drive)
3. clean
4. create partition primary
5. select partition 1 (replace 1 with your usb drive)
6. active
7. format fs=fat32
8. assign
9. exit

Copy Windows Vista's DVD ROM content to the Flash Drive

xcopy d:\*.* /s/e/f e:\ (d being your vista cd and e being your usb stick)

And that's it, boot off your usb disk

 

USB Flash drive not seen on Laptop running Windows 11

Hi,EliBiek

Welcome to the Microsoft Community.



I'm sorry to hear that neither Windows 11 laptops nor Android phones recognize USB flash drives. Here are some steps you can take to try to retrieve data from a potentially damaged or corrupted USB flash drive:



1.Check the USB connection: Make sure the USB port you are using is working properly. Try connecting the USB flash drive to a different USB port on our laptop.



2.Using a different computer: Try connecting the USB flash drive to another computer to see if it is recognized. This will help determine if the problem is with the USB drive itself or the laptop.



3.Check Disk Management (Windows):

• Press Windows Key + X and select Disk Management.
  
• Look for the USB flash drive in the list of drives. If it appears but does not have a drive letter assigned, you may need to assign a drive letter to access it.
  

If none of these steps help to retrieve data from the USB flash drive and the data on the USB flash drive is critical, it is advisable to stop trying to access it further to prevent any further damage. Recovering data from a physically damaged drive is very complicated and you may consider seeking the help of a professional data recovery service. They have specialized tools and expertise to recover data from damaged storage devices.

Best Regards

Martin | Microsoft Community Support Specialist

 

USB Flash Drive Not Recognised

To find what Navy suggest:: Open a CMD window as administrator and type: diskpart list disk (it will list all drives. Identify the USB drive number) select disk n (replace n by the USB drive number obtained with list disk) list part (is there more than one partition?) select part 1 detail part (is it ntfs or Fat32?) exit