Fixed: Windows Could Not Format A Partition on Disk 0 (Error Code 0x80070057)
To help you completely get rid of the problem of "Windows could not format a partition on disk 0. The error occurred while preparing the partition selected for installation. Error code: 0x80070057", we gathered the three most effective methods for you.
| Workable Solutions | Step-by-step Troubleshooting |
|---|---|
| Fix 1. Format during installation | Boot from the bootable media, click Install Now...Full steps |
| Fix 2. Format using Diskpart | Type diskpart > list disk > select disk 0...Full steps |
| Fix 3. Format using Software | Right-click your drive and choose Format...Full steps |
What's Error code: 0x80070057 - Windows Could Not Format a Partition on Disk 0
If you come across error code 0x80070057, it means there was a problem with your storage solution, whether it's a hard drive or SSD. Since error code 0x80070057 is typically related to storage problems, it usually appears when you're attempting to install a new application or run a Windows update. It's also possible for it to appear when you upgrade to Windows 10 from an older version of Windows, like Windows 7 or 8.1.
"Windows could not format a partition on disk 0" is one of the most commonly seen errors related to the error code 0x80070057. Do you know what this error implies, or how to remove the error and continue installing the Windows operating system?
Similar Issues with "Windows Could Not Format a Partition on Disk 0"
Making an installation media, backing up all important data, you have done all the preparation job and started to reinstall Windows, but just getting stuck during the process because Windows could not format the partition while preparing the partition selected for installation? This will finally result in "Windows cannot be installed to disk 0 partition 1" error. You are not the only one. Many other users have such an unpleasant experience in Windows 10/8/7.
Oftentimes, in different Windows versions, you may get different error messages. For example:
- Windows was unable to complete the format
- windows could not create a partition on disk 0
- Failed to format the selected partition in Windows 7
- Windows cannot format the system partition on this disk
- We couldn't format the selected partition in Windows 8/10
Following these messages, there are different error codes like 0x80070057 or 0x8004242d. Next, let's learn how to fix the error step by step.
How to Fix "Windows Could Not Format a Partition on Disk 0"
Quick navigation of all 3 solutions to Windows could not format a partition on disk 0:
- Fix 1. Format partition during Windows installation
- Fix 2. Format partition from the command prompt
- Fix 3. Format partition from bootable partition manager
Fix 1. Format Partition During the Windows Installation Process
To fix the issue, you can first choose to delete the existing partitions, create a new partition, and continue with the formatting.
Step 1.Boot from the Windows installation DVD, click Install Now.
Step 2.At the setup screen, click Custom (Advanced).
Step 3. Delete all the partitions on disk 0.
Step 4.Create a new partition of the unallocated space on disk 0.
Step 5.Select the partition to install Windows on and then continue with the install.
Sometimes, you may get the error "We couldn't create a new partition" in step 4. When it occurs, move on and try to format the partition in Command Prompt Window or bootable partition manager to solve the problem.
Fix 2. Format Partition Using Diskpart in Command Prompt
Windows command prompt is a comprehensive and reliable method for users to solve most of the hard drive issues. To be able to format a system partition on disk 0, you must create a Windows 10 or Windows 7 installation media in advance. For example, to solve the Windows 7 could not format a partition on disk 0, you should do like this:
Step 1.Boot the computer with the Windows 7 installation USB or DVD. Instead of selecting "Install Windows 7", select "Repair Your Computer" and then select "Use Recovery Tools…"
Step 2.In the next windows, select Command Prompt (admin)
Step 3.In the command prompt, type the following command lines and press Enter after each line:
diskpart
list disk
select disk 0
clean
create partition primary
select partition 1
active
format fs=ntfs
Finally, exit the Command Prompt and try to install Windows again. Feel it is too difficult for you to operate the command line? Here Qiling bootable format tool is coming to help!
Fix 3. Format Partition Using Qiling Bootable Partition Manager
Download and install Qiling Partition Master, select "Create WinPE bootable disk" on the main window. Connect the bootable USB and open Qiling Partition Master, then follow the steps below:
Step 1.Run Qiling Partition Master, click the hard drive partition you intend to format and choose "Format".
Step 2.In the next window, set the Partition label, File system (NTFS/FAT32/EXT2/EXT3/EXT4/exFAT), and Cluster size for the partition to be formatted, then click "Proceed".
Which Way Do You Prefer to Solve the "Windows Could Not Format a Partition on Disk 0"?
Regarding the full error message "Windows could not format a partition on disk 0...error code 0x80070057" that you encountered during the Windows 7/8/10 installation, this article offers three full solutions to it. You can apply the solutions to solve the other similar errors like [Windows could not format the system partition on this disk], [failed to format the selected partition], [Windows could not create a partition on disk 0], etc.
The first solution is handy and direct, you can start all over to install the Windows operating system by just deleting all the partitions and create new ones.
The second command prompt solution is effective, though it's recognized as the most complicated method among the three. Many average users would be afraid of attempting at the first stage of creating a Windows installation media.
The final partition manager solution from third-party is relatively easier than the command prompt one, and safer than the first installation fix. You don't have to delete all partitions nor apply the sophisticated diskpart command lines, but effortlessly fix the problem of not being able to install Windows due to the format failure procedure.
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