Windows Cannot Be Installed To This Disk. The Selected Disk is Of the GPT Partition Style

The process of reinstalling Windows can be lengthy and difficult. Some users may get lucky and not encounter any issues at all, while others will have to figure out how to fix the issues they encounter.

Error: GPT Disk Not Supported for Windows Installation

You’re getting the “The selected disc has a GPT partition style” message because your machine was built to be set up in Basic Input/Output System mode.

However, the disc on which you’re attempting to instal Windows is partitioned using GPT, which is supported only by UEFI.

It is necessary to change the disc from a GUID Partition Table (GPT) to a Master Boot Record (MBR) in order to fix this issue. Now, then, here’s what you ought to do:

1. Launch Command Prompt when you get the message “The selected disc has a GPT partition style.”
2. Type “diskpart” into the prompt and hit Enter.
3. Repeatedly press the Enter key while typing the “list disc” command.
4. Select disc # and hit the Enter key. To use a disc number in the GPT partition format, replace “#” with the disc number.
5. Clean, then Enter, then “convert mbr,” and finally, Enter.

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Causes of the “Windows Cannot Be Installed To This Disk” Error

The “Windows Cannot Be Installed To This Disk” error occurs due to the following reasons:

1. Partition Style Mismatch: The disk you are attempting to install Windows on has a partition style (Master Boot Record – MBR or GUID Partition Table – GPT) that doesn’t match the installation requirements.
2. UEFI vs. Legacy BIOS: If you are booting your computer in UEFI (Unified Extensible Firmware Interface) mode, Windows installation requires a GPT disk. Conversely, if you are using the legacy BIOS mode, an MBR disk is necessary.
3. Disk Size Limitations: GPT allows for larger disk sizes and more partitions than MBR. If your disk exceeds the MBR limitations, you will encounter this error.
4. Data Loss Risk: Converting from MBR to GPT involves reformatting the disk, leading to data loss if not performed correctly.

This Disk’s Master Boot Record (MBR) Does Not Support Installing Windows.

When installing Windows 10, 8, or 7, many people get the message “The selected drive is of the MBR partition style.”

This occurs when UEFI Windows installation is attempted on a disc that is not formatted to accept UEFI installation. Partitioning on the chosen disc is GPT rather than MBR.

Fortunately, BIOS allows modifications to the UEFI boot setup. I’ll show you how:

1. Switch into BIOS mode by restarting the computer. Keep take mind that “Delete + F10” is the typical shortcut, although the actual steps may differ per manufacturer.
2. In BIOS, go to “Boot Devices” and change the DVD drive’s boot order from UEFI to Legacy Mode.
3. After making any modifications, save them and exit BIOS.
4. You can try installing Windows again after a system reboot.

This SSD Disk Does Not Support the Windows Operating System.

Transferring Windows to a new Solid State Drive (SSD) is guaranteed to increase boot time and overall performance.

However, there is always the chance that neither BIOS nor Windows will detect the SSD. First, you should make sure the SSD is properly connected to the system using the appropriate cables.

The SATA (Serial Advanced Technology Attachment) cable attached to the SSD may need to be replaced. Also, you should manually verify the controller and drive details in the BIOS to see if the SATA port is active.

If the issue remains, though, you’ll need to use the Command Prompt utility. Specifically, here’s what you do:

1. Search for “Command Prompt” on Windows’s top menu bar to open it.
2. Press the key combination “diskpart” and then press the Enter button.
3. Replace the number with the number of the disc you want to list, then hit Enter.
4. Go ahead and type “clear all” and hit Enter again.
5. Press the esc> key to quit the Command Prompt.
6. You should return to Windows’ initial configuration.

Before proceeding, make sure you’ve made a copy of any data you consider essential to keep on your SSD, as this procedure will erase everything on it.

This Disk May Soon Fail, So Windows Cannot Be Installed on It.

Reinstalling Windows 10 or 11 to fix performance issues, add new features, or remove malware can result in a mysterious error.

You may receive the error message “The Windows cannot be installed to this disc” in a pop-up window. Worrying signs of disc failure” The message suggests trying to instal Windows from a different disc, however there is a workaround.

The Windows CHKDSK (check disc) tool can be used to troubleshoot and fix such issues. The system was built to detect and fix problems. What you need to do is simple, and the instructions are as follows:

1. Select the “CHKDSK” option from the search menu on your computer’s desktop.
2. Select “Run as Administrator” from the menu that appears after right-clicking the search results.

Launching Command Prompt and typing “CHKDSK” will also do the similar check.

This NTFS Disk Is Not Compatible With the Windows Installer.

When attempting to instal Windows to a non-NTFS drive, some users have seen the message “Windows must be installed to an NTFS partition.”

If this happens, it’s because your boot partition isn’t set up correctly, and you may need to switch to using NTFS for your files.

DiskPart management is the most effective method for fixing partition style difficulties, as is the case with many others. The specific steps needed to complete this technique are as follows:

1. Launch CMD, then type diskpart into the prompt, then hit Enter.
2. Start by entering “select disc #,” followed by “list partition,” and then pressing Enter.
3. Just hit the Enter key after typing “choose partition #.”
4. After entering “format fs=ntfs fast,” press the Enter key to begin the file system conversion.

Windows Setup Could Not Be Completed Because of Error 0x803

When updating to a newer version of Windows, many customers receive the “Error 0x80300024” message. This error once again points to a problem with the partition type or volume.

On the other hand, you should make sure your PC meets the Windows upgrade’s minimum hardware requirements. There are alternative approaches you can take if that isn’t a concern. Connected external hard drives may be at blame for this error message.

If you’re installing Windows, make sure to unplug them as they may be causing problems. Another possible cause is that you used a USB installation method when setting up the new Windows on your PC.

If you want to rule out that a certain USB port is the source of the issue, you should try all of them. It’s also possible that the Windows installation is thwarted because of corrupted data on the hard drive partition.

The only way around this is to reformat the drive and try installing Windows again. It’s not hard to do, but before you do it, make sure you have a backup of everything on the disc. If you have the information saved elsewhere and want to delete it, follow these steps.

1. Simply right-click the disc you want to use to instal Windows.
2. Make sure you’re on the “Format” tab before continuing.
3. As soon as the disc is formatted, click the “Next” button to continue with the Windows installation.

How to Fix MBR to GPT During Windows Installation

To convert an MBR disk to GPT during Windows installation and resolve the “Windows Cannot Be Installed To This Disk” error, follow these steps:

Important Note: Before proceeding, back up all important data on the disk, as the conversion process will erase all existing partitions and data.

1. Boot from Windows Installation Media: Insert your Windows installation USB or DVD and boot your computer from it. You may need to adjust the boot order in the BIOS or UEFI settings to prioritize the installation media.
2. Access Command Prompt: When you reach the Windows Setup screen, press Shift + F10 to open the Command Prompt.
3. Launch DiskPart: Type diskpart and press Enter to launch the DiskPart utility.
4. List Disks: Type list disk and press Enter to display a list of all available disks on your computer. Identify the disk you want to convert from MBR to GPT.
5. Select the Disk: Type select disk X (replace “X” with the number of the target disk) and press Enter to select the disk.
6. Clean the Disk: Type clean and press Enter to remove all existing partitions and data on the disk. This step is irreversible, so ensure you have a backup.
7. Convert to GPT: Type convert gpt and press Enter to convert the selected disk to the GPT partition style.
8. Exit DiskPart: Type exit and press Enter to exit the DiskPart utility.
9. Continue Installation: Close the Command Prompt and proceed with the Windows installation. You should no longer encounter the “Windows Cannot Be Installed To This Disk” error.

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Conclusion

The “Windows Cannot Be Installed To This Disk” error can be frustrating, but converting an MBR disk to GPT during Windows installation can resolve the issue.

Be sure to back up your data, follow the steps carefully, and select the appropriate partition style (MBR or GPT) based on your system’s requirements and boot mode (UEFI or legacy BIOS). By doing so, you can successfully install Windows on your chosen disk without encountering partition style conflicts.