If you are trying to install Windows on your computer, you may encounter an error message that says “Windows cannot be installed to this disk”. This error can prevent you from completing the installation and using your computer normally. What causes this error and how can you fix it? In this article, we will explain the possible reasons for this error and the solutions that you can try.
Part 1. What Partition Style Works for You?
To install Windows on a disk, select a compatible partition style, including MBR and GPT, to organize data and partitions on the disk.
If your system supports UEFI (Unified Extensible Firmware Interface), you should use GPT, as it offers better security and performance features. If your system only supports BIOS (Basic Input/Output System), you should use MBR, as it is more compatible with older hardware and software.
Here is a comparison table that summarizes the main differences between MBR and GPT:
| MBR | GPT |
|---|---|
| Older partition style | Newer partition style |
| Supports up to 4 primary partitions or 3 primary partitions and 1 extended partition per disk | Supports up to 128 partitions per disk |
| Stores partition and boot information in one sector at the beginning of the disk | Stores partition and boot information throughout the disk and has a backup copy at the end of the disk |
| Compatible with BIOS systems | Compatible with UEFI systems |
Part 2. What/How to Fix Error: Windows cannot be installed to this disk
Error 1: Windows Cannot Be Installed to This Disk. The Selected Disk Is of the GPT Partition Style
1.Symptoms of the Error
When you attempt to install Windows on a disk with a GPT (GUID Partition Table) partition style but the computer is operating in Legacy BIOS (Basic Input/Output System) mode, this error message appears.
2.Causes of the Error
The error occurs due to the compatibility between the disk's partition style and the computer's boot mode. GPT, a newer partition style, supports disks larger than 2 TB and 128 partitions per disk, while Legacy BIOS, an older version, can only boot from MBR partitions.
3.Easiest Solution
One of the easiest and safest ways to fix Windows cannot be installed to this disk gpt is to use PassFab 4EasyPartition, which is a professional and reliable tool that can help you migrate your system and data from one disk to another. With PassFab 4EasyPartition, you can easily convert your disk from GPT to MBR or vice versa.
On your PC, start PassFab 4EasyPartition . Click "Convert GPT to MBR" in the left navigation panel after choosing "Convert Disk" to continue.
Click "Continue" to enter the execution interface after choosing the disk you wish to convert.
The program downloads PE components from the system disk, prompts for saving unsaved files, and ensures everything is in order before restarting the computer and entering the PE environment.
Select "Convert GPT to MBR" after starting the program in the PE environment.
You can convert a disk by selecting it and clicking "Continue".
Conversion successful! Please follow the steps below to start your computer.
Error 2: Windows Cannot Be Installed to This disk. The Selected Disk Has an MBR Partition Table
1.Symptoms of the Error
The error occurs when Windows is installed on a disk with an MBR partition table, but the computer is in UEFI mode.
2.Causes of the Error
Windows cannot be installed to this disk mbr occurs due to compatibility issues between the disk's partition table and the computer's boot mode, with older MBR supporting up to 4 primary partitions and 2 TB disks.
3.Easiest Solution
PassFab 4EasyPartition is a reliable tool for converting disks from MBR to GPT or vice versa, ensuring a safe and efficient migration of system and data without losing any data.
To convert MBR to GPT, launch PassFab 4EasyPartition , navigate to the left navigation panel, and click "Convert Disk".
To access the execution interface, select the disk you wish to convert and click "Continue".
The program will start in the PE environment by selecting "Convert MBR to GPT".
After selecting the disk for conversion, click "Continue".
PassFab 4EasyPartition is converting MBR to GPT. Disk conversion speed depends on the number of partitions.
Error 3: Windows Cannot Be Installed on Dynamic Disk
1.Symptoms of the Error
This error occurs when Windows is installed on a dynamic disk, allowing for multiple disk volumes like striped, mirrored, or RAID volumes.
2.Causes of the Error
The error occurs due to Windows's inability to install the system partition on a dynamic disk, which is required for basic disk data organization.
3.Solutions
Step 1: Open Command Prompt. After the computer boots from the installation disc, choose "Repair your computer" and then access "Troubleshoot" to locate "Command Prompt".
Step 2: Delete all volumes on the dynamic disk by typing the following commands and pressing enter for each.
Diskpart
list disk
select disk # (# is the number of the dynamic disk)
detail disk
select volume 0
delete volume
Step 3: After erasing all volumes, type "convert basic" to convert the disc into a basic disc.
Error 4:Windows Cannot Be Installed to This Disk. This Computer’s Hardware May not Support Booting to This Disk
1.Symptoms of the Error
Symptoms of the Error This error occurs when you try to install Windows on a disk that is not compatible with your computer’s hardware.
2.Causes of the Error
The error occurs when the disk's controller and the computer's BIOS settings are not compatible, causing a mismatch between the disk's controller and the BIOS settings, which determine the computer's boot mode and communication mode.
3.Solution
Step 1: Restart your computer and press the BIOS key (usually F2, F10, F12, or DEL) when you see the manufacturer’s logo.
Step 2: Navigate to the Boot or Storage tab using the arrow keys and look for an option that says SATA Mode, SATA Configuration, or SATA Controller Mode.
Step 3: If your disk uses a SATA controller, change it to AHCI mode. If your disk uses an IDE controller, change it to IDE mode.
Step 4: Save the changes and exit BIOS.
Step 5: Restart your computer and try to install Windows again.
*Error 5: Windows cannot be installed to this disk. Windows must be installed to a partition formatted as NTFS*
1.Symptoms of the Error
This error occurs when you try to install Windows on a disk that is formatted with a file system other than NTFS, such as FAT32, exFAT, or EXT4.
2.Causes of the Error
The error occurs when Windows is installed on a partition formatted with the
NTFS file system, which supports encryption, compression, security, and large file sizes.
3.Solutions
The Solution to fix the error “Windows cannot be installed to this hard disk space, Windows must be installed to a partition formatted in NTFS” is to clean the whole drive and convert it to GPT. This will erase all the data on the drive, so you need to back up your important files before proceeding. To convert to GPT to can use PassFab 4EasyPartition.
*Error 6: Windows is unable to install to the selected location. Error: 0x80300001*
1.Symptoms of the Error
This error occurs when you try to install Windows on a disk that has a different partition style or file system than the one required by your computer’s firmware.
2.Causes of the Error
The error occurs when the disk's partition style or file system is not compatible with the computer's firmware mode, such as BIOS or UEFI. This occurs when the disk's partition style is not compatible with the computer's firmware mode.
3.Solution:
Step 1: To access BIOS Setup Utility, turn on or restart your computer, and a message will appear promoting a key like Del or F2 to enter BIOS.
Step 2: Select the "Boot" tab. All BIOS utilities look different, but the boot option is definitely included. Locate and select it.
Step 3: Set the desired system's boot device, including attached storage devices like external hard drives, USB flash drives, and floppy drives, and manually adjust their order. Save the changes.
*Error 7: Windows Cannot Be Installed on Drive 0 Partition 1*
1.Symptoms of the Error
This error occurs when Windows is installed on a disk with a partition that is not compatible with the Windows installation mode.
2.Causes of the Error
The error occurs when the disk's partition style and computer's boot mode are not compatible. The disk's partition style divides the disk into logical sections for data storage, while the computer's boot mode controls the operating system. If the disk has MBR partition style but UEFI boot mode, the error occurs.
3.Solution
Step 1: To access the Disk Management tool, left-click on a partition, select "Drive options (advanced)" in the blue link, and then choose "Delete" option.
Step 2: You must now keep installing fresh versions of Windows. Click the "Next" button to get started.
*Error 8: Windows Cannot Be Installed to This Disk the Disk May Fail Soon*
1.Symptoms of the Error
This error Windows cannot be installed on drive occurs when you try to install Windows on a disk that has bad sectors or physical damage.
2.Causes of the Error
The error occurs due to the disk's poor condition, preventing Windows from writing data. Bad sectors are areas unreadable due to wear, power failure, virus infection, or physical damage.
3.Solution
Step 1: Enter "CHKDSK" in the search box on your desktop.
Step 2: Click on the results with the right mouse button and choose "Run as Administrator."
Step 3: You may carry out the identical check using Command Prompt by starting it up and typing "CHKDSK."
Part 3. Questions about Error Windows Cannot Be Installed to This Disk
Q1: Does Windows 10 use GPT or MBR?
GPT and MBR disks may both be used with Windows 10. Depending on the firmware of your device, Windows 10 can be installed on both MBR and GPT. Only an MBR disk may be used to install Windows 10 if the computer has BIOS firmware. You may install Windows 10 on a GPT disk1 if your PC has UEFI firmware.
Q2: How do I fix Windows Cannot be installed to this disk?
To resolve the error "Windows cannot installed to this disk", ensure the disk's partition style matches your computer's boot mode, convert MBR or GPT and vice versa. For converting you can use a specialized tool like PassFab 4EasyPartition .
Q3: How to convert MBR to GPT without losing data during installation?
There are a few ways to convert MBR to GPT without losing data during installation. We recommend you use PassFab 4EasyPartition a easy-to-use and professional partition manager tool. It is compatible with all versions of Windows, including Windows 11, 10, 8.1, and 7.
Final Words
The error Windows cannot be installed to this disk is explained in the article. To fix this, change the disk's partition style, file system, or boot mode. PassFab 4EasyPartition is the safest method, allowing migration of system and data without losing data or reinstalling Windows. It also simplifies managing disks and partitions.