2 Ways to Overcome Windows Cannot Be Installed To This Disk

 If you can't install Windows to the disk and get the error message "Windows cannot be installed to this disk the selected disk is of the gpt" or "Windows cannot be installed to this disk the selected disk has an mbr partition table on efi system", do not panic. Here's how to fix it.

There are many reasons why Windows won't install on disk. Fortunately, there are various ways you can try to fix it. Let's explore how to solve Windows cannot be installed to this disk.

Why does the “Windows Cannot Be Installed to This Disk” Error Message Appear?

There are several things that are the cause of the "Windows cannot be installed to this disk" error message. Identifying the cause of the error can help you figure out what to do about it.

The error message "Windows cannot be installed to this disk" usually occurs when the hard drive partition type does not support your computer's BIOS (Basic Input/Output System) version. BIOS has two versions: Unified Extensible Firmware Interface (UEFI) and Legacy BIOS.

As we know, UEFI is more modern while Legacy BIOS is quite old. Each of these versions only works with certain types of hard drive partitions. When there is a mismatch, you will get an error message "Windows cannot be installed to this disk".

What Partition Type Is Suitable For My Computer?

To find out what you need to do to fix the Windows cannot be installed to this disk error, you need to look at the second sentence of the error message.

If the second sentence in the error message is "The selected disk is of the GPT partition style", it means your PC has a Legacy BIOS. BIOS doesn't work with GPT partition type, so you have to convert it to MBR.

If the second sentence in the error message is "The selected disk has an MBR partition table. On EFI systems, Windows can only be installed to GPT disks“, that means your PC has a UEFI BIOS. You can only install Windows to a disk with a GPT partition type on an EFI system.

How to Overcome Windows Cannot Be Installed To This Disk The Selected Disk Is Of The GPT

If your PC is using Legacy BIOS, you cannot install Windows on a GPT partition disk. In this case, you have to convert the drive before you can install Windows.

Check BIOS Version To Confirm UEFI Not Available

Before you do, double check to see if your PC supports UEFI. You can check the BIOS version by entering the BIOS while the PC is booting. Press the BIOS button. BIOS keys may differ between manufacturers, but the most commonly used keys are F1, F2, F10, F12, or DEL.

When you are in BIOS, you should look for Boot mode. Usually it's in the Boot tab. If Boot mode is set to Legacy and UEFI does not appear as an option, you cannot use GPT disk partitions. At this point, you should convert it to an MBR partition table.

Convert GPT Disk To MBR

There are two methods to convert GPT disk partition to MBR. Unfortunately, both methods delete data stored on disk. Alternatively, you can use third party software like EaseUS Partition Software to convert GPT partition disk to MBR without erasing data.

1. Convert From GPT Disk To MBR Using Command Prompt

You can use the command prompt if you don't have another operating system installed on another hard drive. Note that this method will delete all data stored on the drive you are converting.

Convert From GPT Disk To MBR Using Command Prompt

1. Begin by inserting the Windows Installation Disc and wait for the Windows Setup screen. Press Shift + F10 to open command prompt.

2. Type diskpart and press Enter.

3. Type list disk to retrieve a list of drives on your computer.

4. Select the disk that you want to convert to MBR. This should be the disk where you want to install Windows. You can select a disk with select disk 0.

5. Run clean then convert mbr to change the partition to MBR.

When finished, exit the command prompt. Return to the Windows installation and run the installation again.

2. Convert From GPT Disk To MBR Using Disk Management Utility

If your system already has another copy of Windows on a different drive, you can use Disk Management Utility on that copy to convert the GTP partition disk to MBR.

Convert From GPT Disk To MBR Using Disk Management Utility

1. Type Disk Management in the search bar next to the Start Menu. Select and click the first item in the search results.

2. Find the disk you want to convert from the list shown in the utility. Right click on the disk and select Delete volume.

3. Next, right-click on the same disk and select Convert to MBR disk.

How to Overcome Windows Cannot Be Installed To This Disk The Selected Disk Has An MBR Partition Table On EFI System

If your PC has UEFI BIOS, you need a GPT partition disk to install Windows. If you are using the MBR partition type, you must change it to a GPT partition disk.

Disable EFI Boot Sources

If you don't want to convert the partition, open BIOS and see if your PC allows disabling EFI boot sources. While you are in BIOS, navigate to the Boot Order section and look for EFI boot sources. Disable and run the Windows installation.

After installation is complete, re-enable EFI boot sources. If the option to disable EFI sources is not available, you must convert the partition.

Convert GPT Disk To MBR

As before, there are two methods to convert MBR disk partition to GPT. Namely using the Command Prompt and Disk Management Utility.

1. Convert From MBR To GPT Disk Using Command Prompt

Convert From MBR To GPT Disk Using Command Prompt

The method you used to convert GPT partition to MBR also works here. The only thing that will change is the command in step 5. Instead of convert mbr, type convert gpt instead. When finished with the previous steps, exit the command prompt and continue the Windows installation again.

2. Convert From MBR To GPT Disk Using Windows Installation Disk

Convert From MBR To GPT Disk Using Windows Installation Disk

During the installation process, you will be asked to select the disk where you want to install Windows. Select the disk where you want to install Windows and click Delete. Next, select the same disk and click on New and create a GPT style partition. Click Next and continue with the installation. This will fix the error and you will be able to continue with the installation.

How to Overcome Windows Cannot Be Installed To This Disk Without Deleting Data

Sometimes to switch between MBR and GPT, using traditional tools like Windows Disk Management and Command Prompt results in permanent data loss (unless you backed up).

But now there is a tool you can use to safely change the partition type without losing data. And the best part is that it's completely free. Let's see how you can convert your MBR disk to GPT without losing a bit of data.

Note: If that fails, there's no going back except erasing the drive. MBR to GPT is a one-way transformation. Please remember there is a small chance your drive will stop working after converting. Even though this is a very small opportunity, the admin is not responsible for your hardware and data loss.

For how to deal with Windows Cannot Be Installed To This Disk without deleting data, you can use the default Windows 10 tool provided by Microsoft, namely MBR2GPT. This tool is usually used for sysadmins who have to deploy a Windows 10 installation on a large number of computers. However, you can use it to convert MBR drives to GPT.

How to Overcome Windows Cannot Be Installed To This Disk Without Deleting Data

1. First, check your disk number. Go to Disk Management and find the disk you want to convert, note the disk number. Right click the disk number, select Properties and open Volumes. Check the current partition type is MBR.

2. Press Windows + X, then select Command Prompt (Admin). If it's not there, type Command Prompt in the Windows search bar, then right-click and select Run as Administrator.

3. Now, validate the disk you want to convert. Type mbr2gpt /validate /disk:[enter your disk number here] /allowFullOS Validation only takes a moment. If the disk doesn't meet the convert requirements, you will receive an error message.

4. Type mbr2gpt /convert /disk:[enter your disk number here] /allowFullOS and press Enter to start converting. Usually this only takes a few seconds.

5. Once done, you need to change the firmware to boot into UEFI mode. After the system restarts, press your BIOS/UEFI entry key. Change the boot type to UEFI mode, as opposed to Legacy Mode.

Another option to convert MBR to GPT without erasing data is to use EaseUS Partition Master Professional. Honestly, it's easier than the first two options, as it uses a UI similar to the Windows Disk Management screen. However, the conversion process is a little slower than the MBR2GPT tool from Microsoft.

Conclusion

So that's how to overcome Windows cannot be installed to this disk. Hopefully, this method can solve your problem. There are various other problems that you may encounter during the Windows installation process. However, usually it's always easy to fix.