8 Fixes: Can't Install Windows on GPT or Windows Cannot Be Installed to This Disk Error

If you're experiencing issues installing Windows on a target GPT or MBR drive, this page will guide you through the solutions to resolve the problem in two parts, addressing different errors related to each type of drive.

Workable Solutions	Step-by-step Troubleshooting
Fix Can't Install Windows on GPT Disk	Fix 1. Convert GPT Disk to MBR Disk using Qiling Partition Master...Full steps Fix 2. Enable UEFI Boot Option in BIOS...Full steps Fix 3. Convert MBR to GPT via Qiling Partition Master...Full steps Fix 4. Convert MBR to GPT using DiskPart...Full steps
Fix Windows Cannot Be Installed the This Disk	Fix 1. Convert Dynamic Disk to Basic Disk...Full steps Fix 2. Remove HDD Protection and Change SATA Controller Mode...Full steps Fix 3. Repair Your HDD...Full steps Fix 4. Format the Partition to NTFS...Full steps

To resolve your issue, you can try installing Windows on your PC by following these steps: 1) Check if your PC meets the minimum system requirements for Windows. 2) Create a bootable installation media, such as a USB drive or CD/DVD.

Note that if you have saved important data on the target disk, back up your data first as some of the following fixes may remove data on your target drive.

Part 1. Fix "Can't Install Windows on GPT Disk" Error

Applies to: Fix "Windows Cannot Be Installed on GPT Partition Drive' or "Can't Install Windows on GPT" error.

Problem: Can't Install Windows on GPT Disk

"I'm trying to install Windows 10 on a new SSD, but the computer keeps giving me this message 'Windows cannot be installed on this disk. The selected disk is of the GPT partition style.' What does this mean? Do I have to convert the GPT disk to MBR? Or to enable UEFI boot mode in BIOS?"

If you're getting a notice that you won't be able to install Windows on a GPT disk, it typically means that your computer's firmware (BIOS/UEFI) is set to use a GPT disk, but the Windows installation process is trying to use an MBR (Master Boot Record) disk. To resolve this, you can try the following:

Error 1.The error message indicates that Windows cannot be installed on the selected disk because it's using the GPT (GUID Partition Table) partition style, which is not compatible with the Windows installation process.

Can't install Windows on GPT

Error 2.Windows can't be installed on a disk with an MBR partition table on an EFI system, it needs a GPT disk.

Windows can only be installed on GPT disk

The two errors indicate that Windows cannot be installed on a GPT drive. Don't panic, as we'll explain why and provide practical solutions to help you install Windows on the selected disk.

Why You Fail to Install Windows on GPT Drive

1. You forget to enable UEFI boot option. Or the motherboard supports Legacy BIOS only. Error 1 You need to check your motherboard manual or settings to see if UEFI is enabled. If not, you may need to switch to Legacy BIOS mode or enable UEFI.

2. If you encounter Error 2, it's essential to understand the basics of UEFI and BIOS, as they are closely related. Learning about their differences and interactions is crucial to resolving the issue.

When installing Windows on a UEFI-based PC using Windows Setup, the target disk must be set up to either UEFI mode or BIOS compatibility mode. If the computer is booted in UEFI mode but the target disk is not configured in UEFI mode, you'll encounter Error 2.

4 Fixes to Resolve "Cannot Install Windows on GPT Disk" Error

The error issue can be fixed using one of the four effective methods. The first method, which has the highest success rate, can be tried first. If it doesn't work, the other methods can be attempted.

Fix 1. Convert GPT Disk to MBR Disk using Qiling Partition Master [Error 1]

When a computer doesn't support UEFI, you can't install Windows on a GPT drive unless you convert the disk from GPT to MBR.

Qiling Partition Master is a professional partition manager software that allows you to easily organize your hard drive and change the partition style, including converting GPT to MBR, making it possible to install Windows again.

Free Download
Windows 11/10/8/7, 100% Secure

Step 1. Install and open Qiling Partition Master on your Windows computer.

Step 2. To convert a GPT disk to MBR, select the disk you want to convert, click the "More" button, and choose "Convert to MBR" from the options. The software, Qiling partition manager, will then initiate the conversion process, ensuring all data remains safe throughout the process.

Fix 2. Enable UEFI Boot Option in BIOS to Fix Windows Cannot Install on GPT Drive Error

If you are faced with Error 1 - "Windows cannot be installed to this disk. The selected disk is of the GPT partition style.", you can boot to UEFI mode if your motherboard supports UEFI.

Step 1.To reboot the PC, turn it off, then turn it back on and immediately press the key that opens the boot device menu, such as Esc, F2, F9, or F12. This will allow you to enter the boot menu.

Step 2. Boot into UEFI mode and locate the boot options menu.

Step 3.In the Boot Priority List, confirm that the USB UEFI OS Boot option is at the top of the list, save the changes, and proceed with installing Windows.

boot to uefi mode

Fix 3. Convert MBR to GPT to using Qiling Partition Master

If you encounter Error 2, you can fix the "The Selected Disk Has an MBR Partition Table" error by converting the MBR disk to a GPT disk.

On UEFI systems, Windows can only be installed to GPT disks because MBR is compatible with BIOS, while GPT is compatible with UEFI.

The process of converting a disk from MBR to GPT using Qiling Partition Master involves a series of steps similar to those of converting GPT to MBR, but with the added step of using Qiling Partition Master to facilitate the conversion.

Step 1. Download and launch Qiling Partition Master on your Windows computer.

Step 2. To convert a MBR disk to GPT, select the disk you want to convert, click the "More" button, and choose "Convert to GPT" from the dropdown menu. This will initiate the conversion process.

Fix 4. Convert MBR to GPT using DiskPart

Aims to resolve Error 2.

Step 1. Turn off the PC and put in the Windows installation DVD or USB.

Step 2. Boot the PC from the DVD or USB.

Step 3. In Windows Setup, press the key combination "Shift + F10" to start Command Prompt.

Step 4. Enter the following command in order:

diskpart
list disk
select disk
clean
convert gpt
exit

Step 5. Close Command Prompt.

Once you've resolved the "Can't install Windows on GPT disk" issue, you can proceed with installing Windows on your PC. For a step-by-step guide, refer to the tutorial on installing Windows 10 on a GPT disk.

Part 2. Fix "Windows Cannot Be Installed the This Disk" Error

Applies to: Fix "Windows Cannot Be Installed to This Disk" Error.

Error: Windows Cannot Be Installed to This Disk

When installing Windows 10/8/7, you may encounter errors saying Windows cannot be installed to this disk. These errors can be due to various reasons, such as disk errors, file system corruption, or conflicts with existing operating systems. To resolve these issues, you can try running a disk check, repairing the file system, or using a third-party tool to fix disk errors.

Error 1. The error message indicates that Windows cannot be installed on the selected hard disk space because it contains one or more dynamic volumes that are not supported for installation.

Windows cannot be installed on the disk due to dynamic issue

Error 2. "Windows can't be installed on this disk. Your computer's hardware might not support booting from this disk. Check the BIOS settings to ensure the disk's controller is enabled."

Windows cannot be installed on the disk due to disk controller issue

Error 3. "This disk is failing and may soon stop working, so Windows can't be installed on it. If you have another hard drive available, install Windows on that one instead."

Error 4. "Windows can't be installed to the hard disk space. It needs to be installed to an NTFS-formatted partition."

Why Windows Cannot Be Installed to The Selected Disk

The main reasons for receiving these errors are likely due to the fact that the code is trying to perform an operation that is not allowed or is not supported by the current state of the program. This could be due to a variety of factors, such as attempting to access an array out of bounds, trying to delete an object that is still in use, or trying to perform an operation on a null or undefined value. Additionally, there could be other underlying issues such as a mismatch between the expected and actual data types, or a problem with the program's flow control. These errors could also be caused by a bug or a logical error in the code itself.

1. Users can only make a fresh install on a dynamic volume only when the volume was converted from a basic disk and was a boot partition or system partition, resulting in Error 1.

2. Hardware protection and SATA Controller mode could bring up Error 2.

3. If you're getting Error 3, it's likely that your hard drive has failed, so you might want to consider that as the cause of the issue.

4. The error "Error 4" occurs when trying to install Windows on a partition that uses an incompatible file system, specifically one that is not NTFS, which is the required file system for Windows installations starting from Windows Vista.

Fixes to Remove "Windows Cannot Be Installed to This Disk" Error

You can now selectively choose one of the solutions to fix Windows cannot be installed to the disk issue on your own PC.

Fix 1. Convert Dynamic Disk to Basic Disk

If you get the error "Windows cannot be installed to this hard disk space. The partition contains one or more dynamic volumes that are not supported for installation", convert the dynamic disk to a basic disk.

Qiling Partition Master also helps you convert a dynamic disk to a basic disk easily and quickly.

Free Download
Windows 11/10/8/7, 100% Secure

Here are the detailed steps:

Step 1. Install and open Qiling Partition Master on your Windows computer.

Step 2. To convert a disk, select the disk you want to convert, right-click it and choose the conversion option.

Basic to Dynamic: right-click a basic disk and select "Convert to Dynamic".
Dynamic to Basic: right-click a dynamic disk and select "Convert to Basic".

Step 3. Click "OK" on the pop-up notice window to add this conversion to begin converting the basic disk to dynamic or dynamic to basic.

Fix 2. Remove HDD Protection and Change SATA Controller Mode (for Error 2)

If you receive the error message "Windows cannot be installed to this disk. This computer's hardware may not support booting to this disk. Ensure the disk's controller is enabled in the computer's BIOS menu" - Error 2, you should take two actions. First, you need to enter the computer's BIOS menu, and then ensure that the disk's controller is enabled. This will resolve the issue and allow you to proceed with the Windows installation.

Phrase 1. Remove Hard Disk Protection

Check if your hard disk protection is enabled. If it is, contact the salesperson and remove the protection according to their instructions.

To remove write protection from a hard drive using DiskPart, follow these steps: Open Command Prompt as Administrator, type "diskpart" and press Enter. In the DiskPart window, type "list disk" and press Enter to list all disks, then type "select disk X" (where X is the number of the disk you want to remove write protection from) and press Enter.

Step 1. Start > Run -> type CMD and press enter.

Step 2. Type diskpart and press enter.

Step 3. Type the following command lines and hit enter each time:

list volume
select volume # (# is the number of your HDD.)
attributes disk clear read-only
clean

Step 4. Type exit and hit Enter. Close DiskPart to finish the process.

After removing the write protection from your hard drive, you've successfully completed the process. If you need further assistance, refer to How to Remove Write Protection on SSD for more practical solutions.

Phrase 2. Change SATA Controller Mode

If you're encountering an error, it might be due to incorrect BIOS settings. To resolve this, ensure that the SATA Controller mode is correctly set in the BIOS. If that doesn't work, try resetting the BIOS to its factory settings and then revert to the default settings. This should resolve the issue.

Fix 3. Repair Your HDD to Fix "Windows Cannot Be Installed to the Hard Disk Space"

Error 3 - Windows can't be installed on a dying HDD, so stop the installation, backup or clone important data, and then repair the HDD.

Also read: How to Repair HDD Without Losing Data

Fix 4. Format the Partition to NTFS

This method aims to resolve Error 4. The issue arises when partitions on the target disk are not formatted with the NTFS file system, preventing Windows from being installed to the disk.

Changing a volume's file system can be a daunting task for those without experience in computer management and command line. A simple and safe solution is needed to make this process more accessible.

Qiling Partition Master is a comprehensive partition manager software that allows users to format an HDD to NTFS with ease, making it a suitable solution for those who need to resize, merge, or split partitions, as well as convert file systems.

Free Download
Windows 11/10/8/7, 100% Secure

To format a hard drive from a USB drive, you'll need to create a bootable drive first. This involves downloading a tool like Rufus or Etcher, which can help you create a bootable USB drive with a live Linux distribution, such as Ubuntu.

After fixing the "Windows cannot be installed to this disk or GPT/MBR drive" error, you can proceed with installing Windows on your target disk in your PC.

Conclusion

If you're experiencing the "Can't install Windows on GPT disk" or "Windows cannot be installed to the drive" error, there are several fixes you can try. For the former, you can try to convert the GPT disk to an MBR disk using a tool like Qiling Partition Master, or use the built-in Windows feature to convert the disk. Alternatively, you can try to install Windows on a different disk or partition, or use a USB drive as the installation media.

If you're having issues with installing Windows on a target disk with unsupported partition styles, Qiling Partition Master can help convert GPT to MBR, MBR to GPT, and change Dynamic to Basic disk.

This software plays an important role during the fixing process. Why not get it now.

Free Download
Windows 11/10/8/7, 100% Secure

Extended Reading: Cannot Install Windows FAQs

Besides the above issues, if you have further concerns about installing Windows on GPTor MBR disk, check the questions and answer below.

You may get a clue:

1. How do I fix Windows cannot be installed to this disk MBR?

If you're encountering the error "Windows cannot be installed to this disk," the solution is relatively straightforward: simply change the Master Boot Record (MBR) to a GUID Partition Table (GPT) format. This should resolve the issue and allow you to proceed with the Windows installation.

Here are two methods that you can try:

To change the MBR to GPT, use Qiling Partition Master, as described in Fix 3 Part 1 on this page. This method involves using the software to convert the Master Boot Record (MBR) to a GUID Partition Table (GPT) format, which is a more modern and flexible partitioning scheme. This can help resolve issues related to the MBR, such as limitations on the number of partitions and the size of individual partitions.
To change a Master Boot Record (MBR) disk to a GUID Partition Table (GPT) disk, you can use the DiskPart command in Windows. First, open the Command Prompt as an administrator. Then, type "diskpart" and press Enter to open the DiskPart utility.

2. Can GPT boot into Windows?

GPT (GUID Partition Table) can be used to boot Windows OS if there's a Windows system installed on the disk or if the computer's operating system has been migrated onto the disk.

If you need a guide to migrate your OS to a GPT disk, follow this link for help: Transfer Windows 10 to New Hard Drive (HDD/SSD).

3. How do I change GPT partition to BIOS?

To change a GPT partition to Legacy BIOS mode, you need to follow the following tips: GPT partitions typically support both UEFI boot mode and BIOS compatibility mode, but to switch to Legacy BIOS mode, you'll need to take specific steps.

#1. Check if your computer motherboard supports BIOS boot mode. (Check BIOS)
If your motherboard supports BIOS boot, you need to check if your disk is in MBR partition style, which is required for BIOS boot.
If the system does not boot, convert the GPT disk to a MBR disk using the method provided on this page in Part 1.
#3. Install Windows that support BIOS boot on the disk.
After completing the Windows installation, enter the BIOS settings and configure the computer to boot from the MBR disk, which contains a GPT partition.
#5. Save the changes, and restart PC.