After power spike can't run as Administrator to do in-place upgrade

john9999 · Mar 5, 2026

A power spike tripped my circuit breaker, and afterwards Windows 11 has numerous problems, which I first noticed when my printer was missing from print options. Also, I lost the ability to run as administrator. I tried to do an in-place upgrade, but received the error window: "This PC doesn't currently meet Windows 11 system requirements. Here's why: We couldn't update the system reserved partition." However, to clear space in the system reserved partition, I have to run as administrator, which I can't do because Windows is corrupt. Is there a way around this without an entire clean install?

OAT · Mar 5, 2026

john9999 said:
A power spike tripped my circuit breaker, and afterwards Windows 11 has numerous problems, which I first noticed when my printer was missing from print options. Also, I lost the ability to run as administrator. I tried to do an in-place upgrade, but received the error window: "This PC doesn't currently meet Windows 11 system requirements. Here's why: We couldn't update the system reserved partition." However, to clear space in the system reserved partition, I have to run as administrator, which I can't do because Windows is corrupt. Is there a way around this without an entire clean install?

Sadly, this sounds like the worst case scenario as there could be some corruption in both storage devices and software (registry settings).
Whatever you choose to do , make sure to run a chkdsk before you attempt a new install.

zbook · Mar 5, 2026

Please run > post share links

1) Sea Tools Long generic test > post images or share links

SeaTools | Seagate US

SeaTools - Quick diagnostic tool that checks the health of your drive.

www.seagate.com

2) Open administrative command prompt and copy and paste:

DISM /Online /Add-Capability /CapabilityName:WMIC~~~~

Add or Remove WMIC command Feature in Windows 11

This tutorial will show you how to add or remove the WMIC command as an optional feature for all users in Windows 11. The WMI command-line (WMIC) utility provides a command-line interface for Windows Management Instrumentation (WMI). WMIC is compatible with existing shells and utility commands...

www.elevenforum.com

Post a share link

3) V2 log collector

BSOD - Posting Instructions

BSOD - Posting Instructions This will show you how to help provide needed information about your system and dump files. It will not contain any personal or sensitive information about you or your data. To get better help with your Windows BSOD issue, please read these instructions and follow...

www.elevenforum.com

4) tuneup_plus_log.bat

https://www.tenforums.com/attachments/bsod-crashes-debugging/360137d1645183388-batch-files-use-bsod-debugging-tuneup_plus_log.bat

Batch files for use in BSOD debugging - Windows 10 Help Forums

Information This thread is for use by the BSOD team to store batch files that can be used to collect additional data, fix settings or anything else that is useful in debugging BSOD problems in Windows 10. The way I see it working is the first

www.tenforums.com

Index of Batch Scripts for BSOD debugging, and other Windows troubleshooting

Toc1 Table of Contents Contents Part Zero Download Tips for Edge, Firefox and Chrome Part One Verify vertical scroll buffer (Height) is large enough Part Two Capture output of batch file to Clipboard Part Two-OneA From Command Prompt or Powershell Window Part Two-OneB From Notepad Window Part...

www.elevenforum.com

5) upgrade_failure_info.bat

https://www.tenforums.com/attachments/bsod-crashes-debugging/353454d1638278360-batch-files-use-bsod-debugging-upgrade_failure_info.bat

Batch files for use in BSOD debugging - Windows 10 Help Forums

Information This thread is for use by the BSOD team to store batch files that can be used to collect additional data, fix settings or anything else that is useful in debugging BSOD problems in Windows 10. The way I see it working is the first

www.tenforums.com

Index of Batch Scripts for BSOD debugging, and other Windows troubleshooting

Toc1 Table of Contents Contents Part Zero Download Tips for Edge, Firefox and Chrome Part One Verify vertical scroll buffer (Height) is large enough Part Two Capture output of batch file to Clipboard Part Two-OneA From Command Prompt or Powershell Window Part Two-OneB From Notepad Window Part...

www.elevenforum.com

Try3 · Mar 5, 2026

No system image & file backups to restore as an alternative to fault-finding & rectification?

Denis

Megahertz · Mar 5, 2026

The Dell XPS 15 9530 is a 15.6-inch laptop featuring 13th Gen Intel Core H-series
If it is saying that it doesn't meet Windows 11 system requirements maybe the TPM is disabled on BIOS

Boot from a Win 10 installation drive and at the Windows Setup screen, press Shift+F10 simultaneously to open a command line prompt and type:
diskpart
select disk 0
list part (identify the System reserved partition number)
list vol (identify the Windows partition letter. It may not be C:)
select part n (replace n with the System reserved partition number)
assign letter=S
exit

chkdsk W: /f (replace W with the Windows partition letter)
chkdsk S: /f

Winuser · Mar 5, 2026

zbook said:
2) Open administrative command prompt

If I'm understanding post #1 correctly, they can't.

zbook · Mar 5, 2026

john9999 said:
A power spike tripped my circuit breaker

john9999 said:
Also, I lost the ability to run as administrator. I tried to do an in-place upgrade, but received the error window: "This PC doesn't currently meet Windows 11 system requirements. Here's why: We couldn't update the system reserved partition."

zbook said:
2) Open administrative command prompt and copy and paste:

Winuser said:
If I'm understanding post #1 correctly, they can't.

You must be signed in as an administrator to perform a repair install of Windows 11.

Repair Install Windows 11 with an In-place Upgrade

This tutorial will show you how to do a repair install of Windows 11 by performing an in-place upgrade without losing anything. If you need to repair or create a new recovery partition or having problems with the Windows 11 operating system on your PC, and the usual solutions will not fix it...

www.elevenforum.com

1) Run Sea Tools bootable Long generic test > take pictures > post images or share links

2) See if the computer can boot into safe mode:

Boot to Safe Mode in Windows 11

This tutorial will show you how to boot Windows 11 into normal mode, Safe Mode, Safe Mode with Networking, or Safe Mode with Command Prompt. Safe mode starts Windows in a basic state, using a limited set of files and drivers. If a problem doesn't happen in safe mode, this means that default...

www.elevenforum.com

john9999 · Mar 5, 2026

After further online research, I think I have solved the problem. I booted in Safe Mode, which automatically gave me Administrator privileges, then cleared space in Microsoft Boot Fonts by deleting foreign fonts, as recommended in some posts. Then I was able to do an in-place upgrade and reinstall Windows without having to delete apps and files. I'm now in the process of running Windows update to bring it up to date. I haven't connected the printer or any other peripherals yet.

john9999 · Mar 5, 2026

Now that Windows update has finally finished, not all is well after the reinstall. My printing preferences won't save. The defaults pop right back after I leave the printing preferences menu in Windows Control Panel. Let Windows manage the printer is turned off. The printer is an HP Laserjet Pro M402dn. I removed it, downloaded the latest (same) HP driver, and reinstalled it. I remember struggling with this issue previously with a different computer but don't remember the trick that worked. Before the Windows corruption, my printing preferences stuck from the time I first set up the laptop.

john9999 · Mar 5, 2026

I've found the trick, I hope: Print Management, Run as Administrator. Right-click on the printer. Click on Set Printing Defaults. Make the changes, then save.

john9999 · Mar 5, 2026

Thanks very much for the suggestions. I seem to have gotten lucky with the Safe Mode workaround for losing the ability to Run as Administrator. Now the computer may actually be better off than it was before the incident. I had been unable to install a Windows update in January and had placed updates on hold to stop being pestered about it. Now all the updates installed without incident.

Megahertz · Mar 6, 2026

Glad to hear you've found the solution

Please mark this tread as Solved

After power spike can't run as Administrator to do in-place upgrade

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