optiplex 3080

I don't mind if @redxps630 doesn't mind being tagged in and has answers to offer for this thread, though redxps630 will have to back up a few posts to see the question.

I haven't seen as much from a couple of our regular contributors, speedstep and savvy2, and hopefully it isn't Coronavirus related.

I suppose OP means inside Windows control panel is grayed out because of administrator restriction.  If I were you I would just do a clean install of Windows.  Since there is no hard disk password set by Admin in bios, it is all yours to wipe it clean and start fresh.  I like Windows 10 in Optiplex because  Win 10 has always figured out all the drivers and installed for me automatically during install. 

not sure how you prepare a bootable usb.  Did you use Microsoft Media Creation Tool to prepare a bootable stick containing Win 10 installation app (ver 1909)?   Also verify your usb stick is not faulty by testing it on another working pc.

I have win 8 on my laptop and I'm creating it from there it formats the usb drive and when done I eject it like I'm supposed to.

I have tried to use a usb drive as a bootable disk drive but it tells me its invalid

Hi @redxps630,

Thanks for replying.  PC was bought used and Windows wasn't reset beforehand.  It was used by a company.  It not allowing jayk52 to use a bootable flash drive is likely a security measure.

I think he'll need to start over with a fresh SSD (unless HDD prefered) unless he can erase the current drive.

? typo by OP.  Optiplex 3080 does not exist afaik.  OP said he prepared a recovery tool on usb based on his Win 8 laptop.  Not sure what it means.  Again to make it easier, prepare Win 10 install on usb by following https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/software-download/windows10ISO

The Control Panel not accessible is a typical security measure  on business systems. I wonder has the user tried to reset the BIOS which may help with security measures such as not booting from a USB flash drive. Also just a hunch but it could be an Optiplex 380 as the 3080 does not exist. Installing another drive (SSD as suggested) would not help with the USB boot problem if it is a BIOS setting for security. But not a bad idea considering that the HDD could be nearing the end of life and may become a problem down the road (that system is around 11 years old with an E7500 CPU I believe).

FYI...this forum post has a link to the tech guidebook for the Optiplex 380...assuming it is the 380. And if the user is not sure, there must be a service tag on it somewhere. Or go to the Dell support page here and click on Detect PC. That should give the definitive model type.

It's a optiplex 3020 just confirmed the number 

it is a optiplex 3020 not 3080 as previously thought would downgrading bios to an earlier version help to solve my issue?

it is a 3020m optiplex

plus my system was made in 2015 so its only 5 years old

As long as you have a 3020, then you don't have the micro.  SFF?  I'm pretty sure the 3020 didn't come in a USFF.

Does that PC allow you to access F2 BIOS upon startup?  If so, that's a good sign.  It's also good sign you could update BIOS to the latest version for your PC if it's not there already.

I don't know if rolling back BIOS will help.  But this might.  Before the next time you try your bootable flash drive, take the CMOS battery out for a few minutes.  This resets BIOS.  Preferrably, put a new size 2032 battery back in it.  Those batteries last around 5 years.  Of course, make sure PC is unplugged anytime working on the inside of it.  Also, a low battery will cause all sorts of bizarre problems.  (Though it won't lock you out of the Control Panel.)

You might be able to boot from a flash drive, but what might not work is loading an OS on that HDD.  I still suggest starting with a fresh SSD as long as you're not having BIOS problems.  Again, unless you can erase the current HDD, but I still think starting fresh is better.  That also gets recommended by one of our Rockstars and I've been there.

@JOcean, Thank you too for replying.