FIX: Windows cannot be installed on this disk
FIX: Windows cannot be installed on this disk. The selected disk has an MBR partition table. On EFI systems, Windows can only be installed to GPT disks
This is one of the problems I come across every time I try to install Windows on a new laptop. When I insert a Windows 7 or Windows 10 DVD and try to boot the new computer from the DVD, it loads all Windows files and gives me the option to install Windows. But once I click on it and proceed, it asks me to select a disk partition to install Windows. This is where the problem comes. No matter what drive I choose, I get this error message: Windows cannot be installed on this disk. The selected disk has an MBR partition table. On EFI systems, Windows can only be installed to GPT disks.
The option to delete the partitions are disabled, so I cannot delete and recreate the drive. I tried splitting the remaining drives except for the system partition but it just doesn't work.
I was literally fed up with this since I have to spend a few hours and sometimes even few days looking for a solution. There are numerous solutions to this problem on the internet but unfortunately, most of them do not work in my case.
I had to solve this problem several times in the past but each time I fail to save the steps since I don't expect that I will need this again in future. Today my new laptop arrived and the entire day was wasted trying to solve this exact same problem. I tried Windows 7 and Windows 10 alternatively, several times but it consistently gave me the same error:Windows cannot be installed on this disk. The selected disk has an MBR partition table. On EFI systems, Windows can only be installed to GPT disks.
After spending a lot time and trying several options, I found the right solution that solved it. I decided this will be the last time I am going to look for this solution and so for my own reference, I am posting the solution here. If you landed into this page after spending a lot of frustrating hours, feel free to post a "Thank You" note below as a comment!
For Windows 7:
1. Insert your Windows 7 media and boot the device.
2. When the Windows setup files are loading, press "Shift + F10" to launch the command prompt.
For Windows 10:
1. Boot from the Windows media.
2. Choose the "System Recovery Options"
3. Choose "Command Prompt".
In the command prompt, follow the steps below:
1. Type "diskpart"
2. Type "list disk"
3. Type "select disk <disk number>" (use the correct disk number from the above step)
4. Type "clean"
5. Type "convert gpt".
7. Type "exit".
If you were able to follow the above steps without any error, you are all set.
Now, boot your computer again and try installing Windows. You will be able to proceed with the installation and you won't see the error "Windows cannot be installed on this disk. The selected disk has an MBR partition table. On EFI systems, Windows can only be installed to GPT disks." again.
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