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Why won't Windows install to a GPT/UEFI partition?

I tried to install Windows 10 alongside Ubuntu Mate and Android x86. It is giving me an error message that it will not install to a GPT disk.

How do I fix this and install it alongside?

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Hi I am a fellow community member here to help. Please see the following guide for help with this

https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-hardwa...

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I'm Greg, an installation specialist and 8 year Windows MVP, here to help you.

If you're receiving an error trying to install Windows to a GPT disk then it means you have not booted the media as a UEFI device.


To create Windows 10 Installation Media on another PC install Media Creation Tool and follow the directions here: http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-10/m.... Uncheck the box for Recommended Settings to choose the exact version and bit rate for the target PC only.

Insert media, boot it by powering up PC while pressing the BIOS Boot Menu Key: https://www.sysnative.com/forums/hardware-tutor...

If the media won't boot you may need to enter BIOS/UEFI Setup (pressing key given in chart in link above) to turn off Fast Boot or Fast Startup first.

Choose the boot device as a UEFI device if offered, on second screen choose Install Now, then Custom Install, then at the drive selection screen delete all partitions down to Unallocated Space to get it cleanest, click Next to let it create needed partitions and start install - this makes it foolproof.

You will get and keep the best possible install to the exact extent you stick with the steps, tools and methods in the linked tutorial: http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/wiki... It's a better install than any amount of money could buy and a great learning experience that will make you the master of your PC.

I hope this helps. Feel free to ask back any questions and let us know how it goes. I will keep working with you until it's resolved.

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Standard Disclaimer: There are links to non-Microsoft websites. The pages appear to be providing accurate, safe information. Watch out for ads on the sites that may advertise products frequently classified as a PUP (Potentially Unwanted Products). Thoroughly research any product advertised on the sites before you decide to download and install it.
Windows MVP 2010-2020 (ret).
Millions helped via my tutorials and personally in forums for 14 years.
Please notify me in my articles' Comments if a tutorial link is outdated or ads intrude.

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I don't know how to boot my drive as UEFI, I can't select to boot as UEFI or BIOS from the F12(boot selection) screen, or the F2(BIOS) screen. Also, I don't want to wipe out my install of Ubuntu & Android x86.

The way my partitions are set up, I have a nice big ~170gb NTFS partition set up.

SDA2 is Android x86, SDA3 is Ubuntu MATE, and SDA4 is where I want to install Windows.

Is there any way to run my drive in UEFI mode?

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Your install is already UEFI as shown by the UEFI System partition in your screenshot.

This means that if the media is properly prepared ONLY by the Media Creation Tool, then booted exactly as I wrote out for you and is illustrated in the Clean Install tutorial, it should offer a UEFI version of the media to boot.

If not and the media is prepared correctly, then let's look at the UEFI firmware settings in Setup accessed this way: http://www.mydigitallife.info/comprehensive-lis...

What are the settings for UEFI (should be enabled), CSM (enabled), Secure Boot (disabled), Fast Boot (disabled), Boot Priority order (should be Windows Boot Manager). These settings may be spread out over several tabs. Pictures can help.

The complication may actually be the Android and Linux installs which stretch the bounds of UEFI to the limits. For something this advanced I would ask in the NeoSmart forums where the author of EasyBCD Mahmood AlQuesi who is the world's top expert on multi-booting can help you directly: https://neosmart.net/forums/

I hope this helps. Feel free to ask back any questions and let us know how it goes. I will keep working with you until it's resolved.

________________________________________________________
Standard Disclaimer: There are links to non-Microsoft websites. The pages appear to be providing accurate, safe information. Watch out for ads on the sites that may advertise products frequently classified as a PUP (Potentially Unwanted Products). Thoroughly research any product advertised on the sites before you decide to download and install it.
Windows MVP 2010-2020 (ret).
Millions helped via my tutorials and personally in forums for 14 years.
Please notify me in my articles' Comments if a tutorial link is outdated or ads intrude.

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Arrgh... I bought a pre-activated drive D:

Is there any way to get the activation code off the USB drive? I can access the drive

Or do I have to do this:

Install W10(Wipe everything)
MBR2GPT

Install Android x86

Install Ubuntu


Could I run MBR2GPT before I install somehow?

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Can we see the Sales page URL for the preactivated drive you bought? Is this delivered on a HDD or SSD? Or is it a USB flash stick installation media which should always have a Product Key included? I've never heard of that and doubt it's from Microsoft or a major retailer and therefore in doubt. We can say better if we can see the actual page.

There is no reason to run the dodgy MBR2PGT software if you're going to wipe the drive anyway, just delete all partitions down to Unallocated Space which is the only way a true Clean Install is done anyway. Then as long as you boot the media as a UEFI device it will format the drive correctly and provide the needed service partitions.
Windows MVP 2010-2020 (ret).
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Please notify me in my articles' Comments if a tutorial link is outdated or ads intrude.

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ebay, usb

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There's no way that's genuine. If you paid with PayPal they do back the purchase so I'd get my money back. Only buy Microsoft software from Microsoft or a major retailer who back their purchases - this does not include eBay or Amazon 3rd party. There are no price breaks I've seen in Windows 10, so if you see a steal it means they're stealing from you!
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I've run it on my pc before, and it was connected to the internet for over 3 months, If it was an aactivation-code copy scam then I would expect microsoft to at least kill my install.

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Microsoft doesn't "kill" installs which are not activated, only restricts certain Personalization.

Preactivated has always meant pirated software that I've seen. We do not support pirated software here.
Windows MVP 2010-2020 (ret).
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Please notify me in my articles' Comments if a tutorial link is outdated or ads intrude.

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Last updated November 20, 2024 Views 3,878 Applies to: