Fix GPT Partition Style Error When We Install Windows on Selected Disk

I. What is a GPT partition, and what is the difference between it and MBR?

If we need to understand the reason behind the issue of “Windows cannot be installed on this disk, the selected disk adopts GPT partition format,” we must have a basic understanding of GPT partition.

GPT (GUID Partition Table) is short for Globally Unique Partition Table. This partition is a modernized partition structure that serves as an upgraded standard for hard disk partition tables. It is responsible for storing data on the hard disk, including the system. In contrast, the MBR partition style, also known as Master Boot Record (Master Boot Record) or the master boot sector, is an older partition style.

The distinction between GPT and MBR partition formats lies in their supported hard disk capacities, boot methods, and partition structures. MBR partitions can only support up to 2TB hard disks, while GPT partitions are necessary for hard disks with a capacity of 2TB or more. Additionally, MBR partitions store data and boot records together, limiting the creation of only 4 primary partitions. In contrast, GPT partitions store data and boot records separately, allowing for theoretically unlimited primary partitions to be created.

When it comes to booting, the method used depends on the partition style. Different partition styles require different boot modes to successfully start up. The boot mode is a program that is built into the motherboard and is responsible for guiding the Windows operating system during startup. MBR disks require Legacy BIOS booting, while GPT disks require UEFI booting. If the boot mode and disk partition style do not align, the computer will not be able to start up.

In conclusion, if you are currently using Legacy BIOS as your boot mode, but your system disk is in GPT partition format, you may encounter the issue mentioned in the title. This is because the boot mode and system disk do not match, resulting in the error message “Windows cannot be installed to this disk. The selected disk is in GPT partition format.” Fortunately, there is a solution to this problem. Let’s explore how to resolve it.

II. How to solve the problem relative to GPT partition style?

Usually, there are two ideas to solve this problem.

● Convert GPT partition to MBR partition style to adapt to Legacy BIOS boot mode.

● Change the boot mode of Legacy BIOS to UEFI to adapt to the GPT partition format.

Let’s learn how to operate and solve the current problem.

1. Convert GPT to MBR with Diskpart

Before converting GPT to MBR using Diskpart, it is advised to back up all important data in the device through the third part. This will ensure that the data on the disk is not lost during the conversion process.

Step 1: Insert the Windows installation disk (DVD or USB disk) into the computer, turn on the computer, and quickly use the BIOS shortcut key when the brand logo appears (depending on the brand, it may be DEL / F2 / F10 / Esc, etc., or You can carefully observe the prompts on the computer screen) to enter the BIOS settings. Next, set the Windows installation disk as the boot preference in the BIOS, and then save the settings to make the computer start from the installation disk.

Step 2: Next, press the (Shift+F10) keys simultaneously in the Windows installer to open the Command Prompt window, and enter the following commands in order.

diskpart

list disk (It will display a list of disks)

select disk 1 (The disk number for installing Windows)

clean (All data in the target disk will be cleared. Please back up the data in advance.)

convert mbr (Convert the disk partition format to MBR)

Exit

Step 3: After that, the drive will be displayed as unallocated space. Select the unallocated space, and click (Next). Windows will start installing without sending the same error prompt.

2. Change the boot mode to UEFI mode

If you encounter the error message “Windows cannot be installed on this disk, the selected disk is in the GPT partition format,” it means that your computer is currently using Legacy BIOS, while the disk you are trying to install the system on is in the GPT partition format. This mismatch causes the installation to fail. To resolve this issue, you can check if your motherboard firmware supports UEFI boot mode. Most newer motherboards support both Legacy BIOS and UEFI boot modes. If your motherboard supports UEFI, you can change the boot mode to UEFI to fix the problem. Keep in mind that Windows 7 only supports Legacy BIOS mode, so if you are using this operating system, you will need to change the disk partition format in order to install it successfully.

Step 1: Shut down the computer completely, then turn it on again. When you see the logo appear, press the BIOS shortcut key continuously (depending on the brand, it may be Esc, Delete, F1, F2, F10, F11 or F12) to enter the BIOS interface. Usually, the computer screen will prompt the BIOS shortcut key, as shown in the figure below (DEL).

Step 2: Next, use the arrow keys to select the option under the (Boot) tab. After that, select (UEFI) in the (UEFI/BIOS Boot Mode) option. Save current changes and exit BIOS. Then reinstall Windows to see if the problem is resolved.

The above is the solution to “Windows cannot be installed to this disk, the selected disk uses GPT partition format”. If you cannot enter the system normally due to a fault when installing the Windows system, you can also use the professional system rescue tool——Renee PassNow to back up the data, let’s continue to learn.

III. When unable to enter Windows, use Renee PassNow for data backup

1. What is Renee PassNow?

Renee PassNow is a professional system rescue software, which can help Windows users clear Windows account passwords, create new administrator accounts; restore disk/memory card data, recover data after hard disk formatting; transfer disk files; erase or scan Disk files, etc. In addition, this software also supports repairing Windows system problems, such as: repairing MBR boot records, DBR error parameters, 0xc00000e, Windows system startup failure, and some problems that cause black screen or blue screen, etc. As a system rescue tool with various functions, it is perfectly compatible with multiple systems including Windows 10/8.1/8/7/XP/Vista, and can meet the system rescue needs of different users.

2. How to use Renee PassNow for data backup?

When you cannot enter the system normally, you can create a startup disk through Renee PassNow, then start the computer through the startup disk and back up data. Specific steps are as follows:

Step 1: Download and install Renee PassNow on another computer that can log in and run normally, then connect the USB disk to the PC.

Please select the (Create a Live USB) option under “Step 1: Select creation method” in the main interface.

Note: Before performing this operation, please make sure that the important files in the USB disk have been saved in other locations because the operation will delete all the data in the USB disk.

Step 2: Next, select (x64) or (x86) according to the system type and click the (Download Now) button to download the ISO file. After the file is downloaded, click the (Create USB) button and click the (Eject USB) button.

Step 3: Connect the created boot device to the computer that needs to transfer data, turn on the computer, and then use the shortcut key to enter the BIOS setting interface. Next, set the boot USB disk as the first in the boot sequence in Boot Priority, then save the settings and restart the computer.

Step 4: Upon booting up the computer using the USB flash drive and accessing the program, choose the (data backup) feature. This function acts as a full duplication of the hard drive onto other hard drives, therefore requiring a larger storage capacity for the backup files to be saved.

Step 5: Select the hard disk to be backed up in the (source) list, select the hard disk to save the backup in the (destination) list, and finally click (clone).

Step 6: If you only need to transfer some important data in the hard disk, you can choose (Data Transfer).

Step 7: You can easily transfer files by clicking on the disk drive letter (C/D/E/F, etc.) and selecting the desired external disk. The process is simple – just choose the source drive on the upper left, the destination drive on the upper right, and click the Copy button in the middle. However, be cautious when deleting files as this action cannot be undone. To delete a file, simply select it and click the Delete button in the middle.