[NAME] is spot on. The 7040, all formats, are compatible with NVMe/PCIe SSD. You can clean install and Windows will auto activate, or you can clone the old drive to the SSD using a program such as Macrium Reflect Free available here and it will still auto activate.
Greetings & Kind RegardsI wish to upgrade the OptiPlex 7040 w/ a PCIe SSD and utilize same as the system drive. I have read for this to be possible the motherboard must support nvme Express function. May I please inquire if this is the case. Thank You Kindly
Upgrade to PCIe SSD as System Drive