Windows 10/11 Cannot Be Installed to This Disk [33 Fixes]

With Windows 10/11, Microsoft has introduced many new features and changes to the OS that some people don’t like. Many users have been stuck on a disk that is not compatible with their operating system of choice. Here are 33 fixes you can try if your computer won’t load into Windows 10/11 or if you’re running an older version of the software without any updates.

The “windows cannot be installed to this disk” is a problem that has been present for a while. Microsoft has released 33 fixes to fix the issue.

Milan Stanojevic’s work

Windows & Software Expert

Milan has been fascinated by computers since he was a youngster, and this has evolved to an interest in all PC-related technology. He worked as a front-end web developer before joining WindowsReport. Continue reading

Date last updated: May 18, 2022

Date published: May 2019

• The message Windows cannot be installed on this drive frequently occurs when your BIOS settings are incorrect.
• Other storage devices should be disabled since they might occasionally interfere with the setup procedure.
• Using third-party programs to create installation discs can let you get around this difficulty on your PC.

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Windows installation isn’t always straightforward, and problems might arise. Let’s look at how to solve the Windows cannot be installed on this drive error, which is one of the most troublesome difficulties.

This isn’t the only installation difficulty; several people have claimed that installation failed at the safe os step, indicating that the issue may occur at any point throughout the setup.

Hardware incompatibility is the most common reason of the problem. Check your SATA device or use the diskpart tool after that.

Check out the tutorial below for complete instructions.

What can I do if I can’t install Windows 10/11 on this disk?

1. This CD is unable to install Windows 10.
2. Windows 10 will not install on GPT partitions.
3. MBR partitions cannot be used to install Windows 10.
4. It’s possible that your computer’s hardware doesn’t allow booting.
5. This SSD cannot be used to install Windows.
6. One or more dynamic volumes are present in the partition.

This CD is unable to install Windows 10.

1. Double-check that no other hard drives are attached.

Because this problem might be caused by extra hard drives or storage devices, you should detach all hard drives except the one you’ll use to install Windows 10.

Users have also complained that USB flash drives and SD cards might occasionally interfere with the installation of Windows 10, so make sure you remove them altogether. Install Windows 10 from a DVD if necessary.

2. Examine your SATA drive

This issue may occur if your main hard drive is connected to an eSATA connector, therefore make sure it is connected to a separate port. Make sure your SATA controller is configured to AHCI or RAID mode as well.

If your CD, DVD, or Blu-ray drive is connected to an eSATA or SATA 3 connector, unplug it and connect it to a SATA 2 controller.

Also, with a SATA 3 HDD attached to a SATA 3 controller, do not utilize an enclosure shell.

Keep in mind that a bad drive will result in you losing data. Because Windows cannot be installed on this disk and the disk may die shortly, you should plan to replace it.

GPT partitions are not compatible with Windows 10.

1. Use the diskpart utility.

1. To launch Command Prompt during Windows 10 setup, use the Shift + F10 keyboard shortcut.
2. Enter diskpart and hit Enter when Command Prompt appears.
3. Enter list disk now and hit Enter.
4. There will be a list of all accessible hard disks. Enter disk 0 in the search box.
5. Clean up your entry and hit Enter.
6. Convert your drive to the required type using the convert gtp or convert mbr command.
7. Press Enter after entering exit.
8. Close Command Prompt and restart the Windows 10 installation.

We must emphasize that the clean command will remove all data and partitions from a specified hard disk.

As a result, make a backup of crucial data or utilize this method if you have a fresh computer with no vital files.

2. Switch to classic BIOS mode

1. To access the Boot Menu while your computer is booting, hit the proper key. Typically, the key is set to Esc, F2, F9, or F12, but your motherboard may have a different configuration.
2. Select the BIOS USB Drive option from the Boot Menu and press Enter to boot from the flash drive in BIOS Legacy mode.
3. Continue with the installation of Windows 10.

3. Create a bootable USB flash drive using Rufus.

1. Connect an 8GB or 16GB flash drive to your computer.
2. Install the Windows Media Creation software.
3. Start the program and choose Create installation media (USB flash drive, DVD, or ISO file) for another PC.
4. Examine your computer’s settings. Uncheck them if they aren’t right. Change the settings to the suggested choices for this computer.
5. Click Next after selecting USB flash drive.
6. Wait for the procedure to complete. Be patient as this may take some time depending on your download speed.

Following the completion of the download, you must use Rufus to produce bootable media. Follow these steps to do this:

1. Download Rufus from his website.
2. Run the program when it has been downloaded.
3. From the list of devices, choose your flash drive.
4. Select Disk or ISO image as the boot option. Select your Windows ISO file by clicking the Select button.
5. To begin the procedure, click Start.
6. You’ll be prompted to format the drive; click OK to continue.
7. Wait for the procedure to complete.

MBR partitions cannot be used to install Windows 10.

1. Turn off EFI boot sources.

1. To enter BIOS, hit the relevant key when your computer is booting. It’s usually Del or F2, although it depends on your computer.
2. After entering BIOS, go to the Boot Order area and turn off EFI Boot Sources.
3. Restart after saving the modifications.

You should be able to install Windows without any problems after removing EFI Boot Sources. If the installation goes well, return to the BIOS and activate EFI Boot Sources.

2. Delete and re-format the partition

1. Use the installation USB to start your device.
2. Now choose Install.
3. Choose Custom: Only install Windows (Advanced).
4. Select the disk where you wish to install Windows and delete it.
5. To create a new drive, choose New.
6. Select the new drive and follow the on-screen prompts.

If you see the message “Windows 10 cannot be installed on this disk MBR partition table on this EFI machine,” formatting your drive may be your only choice.

3. Make use of a DVD drive

If you’re experiencing trouble installing Windows 10, you should be able to get around it by utilizing a DVD drive. Users recommend using the ODD option instead of EFI when installing the operating system from a DVD.

You might also try using an external DVD drive to solve the issue.

4. Turn off UEFI boot.

Although newer motherboards enable UEFI boot, UEFI boot may sometimes result in a Windows cannot be installed on this drive problem. To solve it, go into BIOS and choose the Legacy Boot option.

We highly urge you to consult your motherboard documentation for further information on how to access BIOS and how to utilize Legacy Boot.

Some motherboards allow you to utilize both UEFI and Legacy boot modes without needing to deactivate anything. In certain cases, removing Legacy boot and switching to UEFI may even solve the issue.

5. Delete the problematic partition using diskpart.

NOTE

Because this approach will delete all contents from the specified partition, make a backup of your files beforehand.

1. Launch the Command Prompt. You may open Command Prompt using the Shift + F10 shortcut if you’re attempting to install Windows 10.
2. Diskpart will appear.
3. Enter list disk now.
4. Choose the disk you wish to use. Select a disk number. Replace # with the number that corresponds to a specific disk. We chose disk 0, but your computer may use a different disk.
5. Enter the partition list.
6. Enter choose partition # to find the partition you wish to remove. # should be replaced with the appropriate partition number.
7. Finally, press remove partition.
8. After that, attempt to install Windows 10 again.

If you find this procedure too difficult, third-party applications with graphical interfaces, such as AOMEI Partition Assistant, may help.

You may simply erase partitions, format them, and do other disk-management tasks using such programs in a matter of seconds.

Download the AOMEI Partition Assistant.

6. Wait until the message Press any key to boot from disk comes once again.

Many motherboards support both UEFI and Legacy boot, and others will prioritize UEFI boot. Do not press any keys if you see the message Press any key to boot from disk.

The identical warning will occur if your motherboard has both UEFI and Legacy boot enabled. Press any key to boot from a chosen device when the message Press any key to boot from disk comes for the second time.

7. Take a USB 2.0 flash drive with you.

Users have claimed that USB 3.0 flash drives do not let users to choose MBR or Legacy boot when selecting a boot device, although this issue may be solved by using a USB 2.0 flash drive instead.

If your computer has a USB 2.0 port, you may utilize that instead.

It’s possible that your computer’s hardware doesn’t allow booting.

1. Remove all partitions from your hard disk and convert it to GPT.

You may need to erase all of your partitions to repair the issue Windows 10 cannot be installed on this disk GPT without losing data. Because this method would remove all of your data, we strongly advise you to build a backup before beginning.

You must convert your hard disk to GPT if it is greater than 2TB. To do so, wipe your hard drive using diskpart and then convert it to GPT.

Check see our tutorial on how to convert MBR to GPT disk for more information.

2. Use Linux to format your hard disk.

You may start your PC from a Live Linux CD if you don’t want to use the command line to solve this issue. Locate the proper disk management tool and format the drive to FAT32 when Linux has started.

To thoroughly wipe your hard disk, utilize the slow technique. This operation will erase all data from your hard disk, so make a backup before proceeding.

Try installing Windows 10 again after formatting your hard drive.

3. In BIOS, disable any superfluous boot devices.

1. To access BIOS, press F2 or Del while your machine is booting.
2. Next, go to the Boot section.
3. Disable any boot devices that aren’t needed.

To learn more about how to deactivate boot devices, go here. Check the handbook for your motherboard.

4. Instead of using a Marvell port, connect your hard drive to an Intel SATA 3 port.

1. Restart your computer.
2. Press F2 or Del while it boots up. You should now be in BIOS.
3. Locate the Intel SATA 3 controller’s settings and change it to AHCI Mode.
4. For Intel SATA 3, enable the SMART option.

These sorts of issues may occur if your hard drive is not connected to an Intel SATA 3 connector on your computer, so make sure it is connected.

5. Make sure your hard disk and optical drive are connected to the right SATA connections.

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Some motherboards demand that your hard disk and optical drive be connected to specific ports. Users claimed that the problem was addressed by connecting the hard disk and optical drive to the SATA 5 and SATA 6 ports on their motherboard.

We highly advise you to consult your motherboard documentation for further information on which SATA ports you should utilize.

6. After the initial restart, remove your USB installation media.

A few customers have stated that merely deleting your USB installation disc can solve the problem. Users claim that you should delete your installation disc before restarting your computer during the setup procedure.

The installation should proceed normally when the USB disk is removed. Also, make sure there are no other USB drives or gadgets connected to your computer.

We don’t sure whether this remedy works, however a few people have said that it solved their problem, so give it a go.

7. Verify that your hard disk is listed among the boot devices.

1. To access BIOS, restart your computer and keep hitting F2 or Del.
2. Go to the Boot subsection.
3. Check to see whether your hardware has been included as a boot device.

A few customers claimed that their hard drive was marked with an exclamation point in the Boot options screen, indicating that it was deactivated.

According to them, you may re-enable your hard drive by pressing Ctrl + 1 on your keyboard. Remember that various versions of BIOS may utilize different shortcuts, so see your motherboard documentation for a complete list.

8. Disable Boot from External Device

1. Change the BIOS settings. By hitting the Assist button on your laptop, you should be able to do so.
2. Disable this option in the External Device Boot settings.
3. Save your changes and reinstall Windows 10.

A few customers claimed that deactivating External Device Boot on Sony Vaio devices fixed the problem. According to them, the device detects many boot options in BIOS, however this may be resolved by taking these steps:

9. Turn off the Intel Boot Security.

1. To enter BIOS, press F2 while your PC is booting. Note that your computer may use a different key.
2. Select the Secure Boot option.
3. Disable Intel Boot Security at this point.

You should deactivate Intel Boot Security in BIOS if your hardware supports it. Users have noted that the Intel Boot Security function may interfere with the installation of Windows 10, so be sure to deactivate it in the BIOS.

Windows 10 should install without issues if you disable Boot Security.

10. Turn off the AHCI mode.

1. Enter BIOS after restarting your computer. You may do so by hitting F2 during the startup process.
2. Look for storage options now.
3. Disable the AHCI mode on your drive by looking for it.

The notice Windows cannot be installed on this disk ensuring disk controller is enabled in BIOS will be gone after following this method.

11. Disconnect the Ethernet wire

Many customers claimed that merely disconnecting the Ethernet wire cured the problem.

We don’t know why Ethernet cable caused this problem, but if you’re getting It’s possible that your computer’s hardware doesn’t allow booting. error be sure to try this solution.

12. Make sure the boot order is correct.

1. Restart your computer.
2. To enter BIOS, keep hitting F2 or Del while the computer is booting.
3. Go to the Boot section.
4. Ensure that your flash drive is the initial boot device.

This problem has been reported by a few customers while choosing their USB drive as the boot device. The only way to repair the problem, they said, was to go into BIOS and put the USB flash drive as the first boot device.

The fast boot menu option wouldn’t function for them for some unexplained reason, but the problem was cured by adjusting the boot order in BIOS.

Set the active partition to 13.

NOTE

Because using the diskpart program might result in file loss, we suggest backing up any crucial data before using it.

1. Launch the Command Prompt. If you’re attempting to install Windows 10, click Shift + F10 to open Command Prompt.
2. Enter diskpart and click Enter once Command Prompt has opened.
3. Enter the list disk command if you have two or more hard disks. Find the hard disk on which you wish to install Windows 10.
4. Select a disk number. Substitute the proper number for the #. Use disk 0 if you only have one hard drive.
5. Now Enter the partition list.
6. Choose your chosen division and input its number. Substitute the proper number for the #.
7. Make active.
8. Close Command Prompt and restart the Windows 10 installation.

Windows 10 cannot be installed on this drive because the chosen disk is of the GPT partition type problem may occur, however this can be resolved with diskpart.

This SSD cannot be used to install Windows.

1. Check to see whether your SSD is clean.

Users claim that if your SSD drive isn’t clean, installation issues with Windows 10 might arise. To resolve this issue, be sure to delete any partitions and data from your SSD before attempting to reinstall Windows 10.

Also, make sure that AHCI is turned on.

2. Attempt a non-UEFI boot

1. Restart your computer.
2. Press F2 or Del while the computer is starting up.
3. Disable UEFI boot in the boot area now.

A few people have stated that using non-UEFI boot might solve the issue, so you might want to give it a go.

3. Unplug the other SSD

This issue may occur if your PC has two or more SSDs installed. Disconnecting all other SSD devices and seeing whether it cures the issue is one of the easiest remedies.

Disconnect any storage devices from your computer as well.

Learn more about this subject.

4. Connect to a SATA 2 port

This problem has been reported by users to occur when the SATA 3 extension board is broken, therefore you may want to try utilizing the SATA 2 port instead.

Users have reported being able to install Windows 10 after connecting their SSD to a SATA 2 connector, so give it a go.

5. Attach the DVD drive to the motherboard.

This problem happens when both your SSD and DVD are connected to the controller.

Disconnecting your DVD drive and connecting it to the motherboard while keeping the SSD linked to the controller is one of the easiest methods.

After that, the notification Windows cannot be installed to this disk setup because it does not support USB will be removed.

6. Disable RAID settings

1. Restart your computer.
2. To enter BIOS, keep pressing F2 throughout the startup process.
3. Go to the Storage section.
4. Change the SATA Mode from RAID to anything else.

Users experienced this issue while using RAID, and they claimed that deleting the RAID setting from the BIOS cured the problem.

After uninstalling RAID, recreate it, make it bootable, and install Windows 10.

7. Double-check that your USB flash drive and SSD are not the same.

Although this is an extremely rare occurrence, customers have claimed that installing Windows 10 using a USB flash drive sometimes fail.

Users experienced issues with Corsair USB flash drives and SSDs, however the problem was resolved when switching to a different brand of flash drive.

One or more dynamic volumes are present in the partition.

Make a simple disk out of your dynamic disk.

1. To launch Command Prompt, use Shift + F10 during Windows setup.
2. After that, type diskpart.
3. Enter the disk list. Find the disk you’d want to convert.
4. Select a disk number. Substitute # for the appropriate number.
5. Clear the screen.
6. Enter convert basic now.
7. Close Command Prompt and restart the Windows 10 installation.

Reinstall Windows 10 once your drive has been changed to basic.

What can I do if I can’t install Windows 11 on this disk?

This problem affects all versions of Windows, and it’s usually caused by your setup, therefore altering the BIOS settings will solve the problem.

Because this is such a prevalent problem caused by the BIOS, the workaround for Windows 11 is the same as for previous versions.

The message Windows cannot be installed on this drive may be a major issue that prevents you from installing Windows 10, but you should be able to resolve it using one of our methods.

If the issue persists, see our Windows cannot install needed files page for additional straightforward fixes.

If you have a different solution to this problem or any other queries, please post them in the comments area below.

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