# How to Fix the ‘Windows Cannot Be Installed to This Disk’ Error **URL:** https://www.compsmag.com/blogs/how-to-fix-the-windows-cannot-be-installed-to-this-disk-error/ **Author:** Ayushi Chauhan **Published:** 2022-03-22 **Updated:** 2022-03-22 **Categories:** Blogs **Tags:** Blogs Daily, Computer Guides, guiderobert, Guides and Tutorials, guiding12, How To Guide, How To Guides, Software tips and tutorials, Tips, Tricks **Reading Time:** 5 min --- This tip is about the how to Fix the ‘Windows Cannot Be Installed to This Disk’ Error. So read this free guide, How to Fix the ‘Windows Cannot Be Installed to This Disk’ Error step by step. If you have query related to same article you may contact us. ## How to Fix the ‘Windows Cannot Be Installed to This Disk’ Error - Guide While you rarely need to reinstall Windows these days, if you do, there are a few speed bumps on the way to installing Windows. One such error is that Windows could not be installed on this disk message, but we have some potential fixes to resolve this particular issue. Also, you may see an extra line in the error message, specifically “The selected disk has GPT partition style” or “The selected disk has an MBR partition table. On EFI systems, Windows can only be installed on GPT disks.” Windows users who encounter the error message “Windows cannot be installed on this disk. The selected hard disk does not have the GPT partition style” because your PC boots in UEFI mode, but your hard disk is not configured for UEFI mode. During Windows setup, you need to choose to install with MBR or GPT partition style. When installing Windows on UEFI-based PCs using Windows Setup, your disk partition style must be set up to support UEFI mode or legacy BIOS compatibility mode. In simple words, if you decide to use MBR or GPT partition to install Windows, you need to know exactly which motherboard firmware you are using and combine the two terms. ## Fix 'Windows cannot be installed on this disk' error ### Check your BIOS version to confirm that UEFI is not available Before doing this, make sure your PC supports UEFI. You can check your BIOS version by accessing the BIOS when booting your PC. Start your PC and press the BIOS key. The BIOS key may vary by manufacturer, but the most commonly used keys are F1, F2, F10, F12, or DEL. When you are in the BIOS, you need to look for the boot mode. Again, there is no step-by-step process. You have to go through all the tabs, but there is usually a boot tab, and that's where you'll find the boot mode. If your boot mode is set to Legacy and UEFI doesn't appear as an option, you won't be able to use your GPT disk partition. At this point, you need to convert it to an MBR partition table. ### Convert an MBR disk to GPT There are two methods to convert a GPT disk partition to MBR. Unfortunately, both methods clear the data stored on the disk. Alternatively, you can use third-party software to convert your GPT partition disk to MBR without losing data. ### Convert from MBR disk to GPT using command prompt You can use the command prompt if you don't have any other operating system installed on another hard drive. Note that this method will erase all data stored on the drive you are about to convert. Start by inserting the Windows installation disc and wait for the Windows installation screen. Press Shift + F10 to open the command prompt. Type diskpart and press Enter. Type list disk to fetch a list of drives on your computer. Choose the disk you want to convert to MBR. This should be the disk you want to install Windows on. You can choose disk with select disk 0. Run clean and convert mbr to convert partition to MBR. ### Convert MBR Disk to GPT Using Disk Management Utility If your system already has another copy of Windows on a different drive, you can use Disk Management Utility on that copy to convert a GTP partition disk to MBR. Type Disk Management in the search bar next to the Start menu. The first item in the search results will be Create and Format Hard Disk partitions. Press Enter to open Disk Management Utility. Find the disk you are trying to convert from the list displayed in the utility. Right click on it and select Delete Volume. Then right-click on the same disk and select Convert to MBR Disk. ## How to Fix “Selected disk has an MBR partition table” error If your PC has a UEFI BIOS, you will need a GPT partition disk to install Windows. If you have an MBR partition, you need to convert it to a GPT partition disk. ### Try disabling EFI boot fonts If you don't want to convert the partition, go to the BIOS and see if it allows disabling EFI boot sources. Once in the BIOS, navigate to the Boot Order section and look for EFI boot sources. Disable it and run Windows Setup. After the installation is complete, re-enable the EFI boot sources. If the option to disable EFI fonts is not available, you will need to convert the partition. ### Convert MBR to GPT Using Command Prompt The method we used to convert GPT partition to MBR also works here. The only thing that will change is the command in step 5. Instead of convert mbr, type convert gpt. When you are done with the previous steps, exit the command prompt and continue with the installation. ### Convert MBR to GPT Using a Windows Installation Disk During the installation process, you will be asked to select a disk on which to install Windows. Select the disk you want to install Windows on and click Delete. Then choose the same disk and click New and create a GPT-style partition. Click Next and continue with the installation. This should fix the error and you should be able to proceed with the installation. ## Final note I hope you like the guide How to Fix the ‘Windows Cannot Be Installed to This Disk’ Error. In case if you have any query regards this article you may ask us. Also, please share your love by sharing this article with your friends. --- *End of Article*