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UEFI Windows Install Error

Summary: Information about resolving a UEFI Window install error.

This article applies to This article does not apply to This article is not tied to any specific product. Not all product versions are identified in this article.
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Resolution

UEFI Windows Install Error

When installing a Unified Extensible Firmware Interface (UEFI) based Windows Operating System (OS). You may receive the following error message: "Windows cannot be installed to this disk. The selected disk has an MBR partition table".

When installing Windows on a UEFI-based computer using Windows Setup, your hard drive partition style must be set up to support either UEFI mode or legacy BIOS-compatibility mode.

For example, if you receive the error message: "Windows cannot be installed to this disk. The selected disk is not of the GPT partition style", it is because your PC is booted in UEFI mode, but your hard drive is not configured for UEFI mode. (Figure 1)
Windows Install Process, Windows Cannot Be Installed To This Disk
Figure 1

Windows Partition

  1. Reboot the computer in legacy BIOS-compatibility mode. This option lets you keep the existing partition style. For more info, see Boot to UEFI Mode or Legacy BIOS mode This hyperlink is taking you to a website outside of Dell Technologies..
  2. Configure your drive for UEFI by using the GPT partition style. This option lets you use the PC’s UEFI firmware features.

    You can preserve your data and convert the drive using the MBR2GPT Tool This hyperlink is taking you to a website outside of Dell Technologies.. You can also choose to reformat the drive using the instructions below. Reformatting will erase all the data on the drive.

Reformatting the Drive Using a Different Partition Style

To wipe and convert the drive by using Windows Setup:

  1. Turn off the computer, and put in the Windows installation DVD or USB drive.
  2. Boot the computer to the DVD or USB drive in UEFI mode. For more info, see Boot to UEFI Mode or Legacy BIOS mode This hyperlink is taking you to a website outside of Dell Technologies..
  3. When choosing an installation type, select Custom.
  4. On the "Where do you want to install Windows?" screen, select each of the partitions on the drive, and select Delete. The drive shows a single area of unallocated space.
  5. Select the unallocated space and click Next. Windows detects that the computer was booted into UEFI mode, and reformats the drive using the GPT drive format, and begins the installation.

To manually wipe a drive and convert it to GPT:

  1. Turn off the computer, and put in the Windows installation DVD or USB drive.
  2. Boot the computer to the DVD or USB drive in UEFI mode. For more info, see Boot to UEFI Mode or Legacy BIOS mode This hyperlink is taking you to a website outside of Dell Technologies..
  3. From inside Windows Setup, press Shift+F10 to open a command prompt window.
  4. Open the diskpart tool:
    diskpart
  5. Identify the drive to reformat:
    list disk
  6. Select the drive, and reformat it:
    select disk <disk number>
    clean
    convert gpt
    exit
  7. Close the command prompt window.
  8. Continue the Windows Setup installation.
    When choosing an installation type, select Custom. The drive appears as a single area of unallocated space.
    Select the unallocated space and click Next. Windows begins the installation.

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Article Properties
Article Number: 000146878
Article Type: Solution
Last Modified: 09 Aug 2023
Version:  4
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