Cannot install Windows 10 GPT partition

Question

Issue: How to fix Windows 10 can’t be installed on GPT partition?

Hello. I recently wanted to reinstall Windows from scratch but encountered an unexpected error I have never seen before – it says that incorrect partition type GPT is used. I have no clue what that means, or why the error shows up in the first place. Maybe it has something to do with the fact that this is a computer I have never reinstalled before? Please help!

Solved Answer

There are many reasons why users might want to install Windows – either they just purchased a new version, or they bought a new computer without an operating system. Unfortunately, this process does not always go as planned, and users are faced with “Windows 10 can’t be installed on GPT partition” error.

Once the installation media is connected to the computer and is booted from, users are asked to select the drive they want to install the new copy of the OS. However, after clicking next, they are presented with an error that prevents any further actions. Typically, Windows 10 can’t be installed on GPT partition error can be encountered when users attempt to install a new copy of the Windows operating system on a hard drive (HDD) or a solid-state drive (SSD).[1]

After selecting the correct drive, they want to put the system files in and click “Next,” they are instead presented with the following popup message which informs that Windows 10 can’t be installed on GPT partition:

Windows Setup

Windows cannot be installed on this disk. The selected disk is of the GPT partition style.

In other cases, users can also encounter the following message:

Windows Setup

Windows cannot be installed on this disk. The selected disk has an MBR partition table. On EFI systems, Windows can only be installed on GPT disks.

Without a doubt, the second version of the error explains much more than the first one – it basically claims that the selected disk partition uses MBR (Master Boot Record)[2] and that the OS can only be installed on the GPT ( GUID Partition Table) disk types.

Master Boot Record is a relatively old concept created by IBM in 1983 – a particular boot sector within the HDD (or SSD) that holds relevant executable code that is used to boot each Windows operating system. Nonetheless, some machines are using the UEFI system to process this data. Hence MBR cannot be used for the purpose due to its technical limitations. As a result, users can encounter “Windows cannot be installed on this disk” error.

How to fix Windows 10 can’t be installed on GPT partition?How to fix Windows 10 can’t be installed on GPT partition?

To fix the Windows GTP partition error, you either need to boot Windows in legacy BIOS-compatibility mode or reformat the existing partition to the UEFI setting. For more information, please check the solutions below.

In case you want to reinstall Windows due to system file corruption (for example, due to malware infection),[3] and can't install Windows due to GTP partition error, you can instead attempt to fix Windows system files first, so you could avoid the process entirely. For that, we recommend using an automatic repair software ReimageMac Washing Machine X9 – it can replace corrupted Windows files with brand new ones from its internal databases, which stores more than 25,000 relevant and updated system files.

Step 1. Check your disk partition type

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To repair damaged system, you have to purchase the licensed version of Reimage Reimage.

First of all, you should check which type of hard drive are you using. Here is how to do it:

  • In Windows search, type in diskmgmt.msc and hit Enter
  • When Disk Management window opens, right-click on your Disk 0 at the bottom-left
  • Select Properties
  • Go to Volumes tab – the disk type should be displayed under the Partition style Check partition style of your diskCheck partition style of your disk

Step 2. Backup your data

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To repair damaged system, you have to purchase the licensed version of Reimage Reimage.

If you are not installing Windows on a fresh drive, you should backup your data before doing anything. In other words, you could lose your files otherwise. Please follow these steps:

  • Right-click on Start and pick Settings
  • Go to Update & Security
  • Select Backup on the left
  • From here you have a few options available: if you have a second drive, you can use it to backup your files there. Alternatively, you can employ the built-in OneDrive if the data you want to save is no larger than 5 GB (of you can pay Microsoft to increase the storage space) Backup your filesBackup your files

Fix 1. Select the Legacy BIOS boot mode

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To repair damaged system, you have to purchase the licensed version of Reimage Reimage.

One of the easier ways to fix “Windows 10 can’t be installed on GPT partition” errors is by enabling Legacy mode via the computer's BIOS. Here's how to do it:

  • Reboot your PC and keep pressing F8, F12, Del, or another button (depending on your motherboard model) to access BIOS
  • Once in BIOS mode, go to Boot tab by using button on your keyboard
  • Select Boot Mode and press Enter
  • Pick Legacy setting by using up and down arrows

In case you have the opposite problem, you should enable UEFI mode and then try to install Windows once again.

Fix 2. Use a different type of installation media

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To repair damaged system, you have to purchase the licensed version of Reimage Reimage.

Installing or reinstalling Windows nowadays became so much easier and more user-friendly than it was a long time ago. All you have to do is download Windows Media Creation Tool from the official Microsoft website and place it into DVD or a USB. For convenience purposes, we recommend using a USB that is at least 8GB large.

  • Go to Microsoft website and download Windows 10 installation media
  • Once downloaded, launch the installer by double-clicking it
  • Agree to Terms and select Next
  • Select Create installation media (USB flash drive, DVD or ISO file) for another PC and click Next Create new installation
media using UEFI modeCreate new installation media using UEFI mode
  • Pick USB flash drive (make sure you have USB connected to your PC)
  • Now follow on-screen instructions, and once the option to pick partition style shows up, select UEFI

Repair your Errors automatically

ugetfix.com team is trying to do its best to help users find the best solutions for eliminating their errors. If you don't want to struggle with manual repair techniques, please use the automatic software. All recommended products have been tested and approved by our professionals. Tools that you can use to fix your error are listed bellow:

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If you failed to fix your error using Reimage, reach our support team for help. Please, let us know all details that you think we should know about your problem.

Reimage - a patented specialized Windows repair program. It will diagnose your damaged PC. It will scan all System Files, DLLs and Registry Keys that have been damaged by security threats.Reimage - a patented specialized Mac OS X repair program. It will diagnose your damaged computer. It will scan all System Files and Registry Keys that have been damaged by security threats.
This patented repair process uses a database of 25 million components that can replace any damaged or missing file on user's computer.
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How do you fix Windows Cannot be installed GPT?

Windows Cannot Be Installed to This Disk GPT But the hard drive where you're trying to install Windows is partitioned in GPT, which runs on Unified Extensible Firmware Interface or UEFI. The only way to solve this problem is to convert the GUID Partition Table or GPT disk to the Master Boot Record of MBR.

Can I install Windows 10 on GPT?

We recommend performing Windows® 10 installations enabling UEFI with a GUID Partition Table (GPT). Some features may not be available if you use the Master Boot Record (MBR) style partition table. System acceleration with Intel® Optane™ memory is not available when using MBR.

How do I fix a GPT partition error?

To manually wipe a drive and convert it to GPT.
Turn off the PC, and put in the Windows installation DVD or USB key..
Boot the PC to the DVD or USB key in UEFI mode. ... .
From inside Windows Setup, press Shift+F10 to open a command prompt window..
Open the diskpart tool: ... .
Identify the drive to reformat:.

Can you boot from a GPT drive?

Windows can only boot from GPT on UEFI-based computers running 64-bit versions of Windows 11, 10, 8, 7, Vista, and corresponding server versions. All versions of Windows — 11, 10, 8, 7, and Vista — can read GPT drives and use them for data—they just can't boot from them without UEFI.