Ask a new question

How do I format a drive to install Windows 10 Pro?

How do I format a drive to install Windows 10 Pro? Should it be GPT ot MBR, Should it be NFTS or FAT32, Etc. I have seen all of these recommended in different articles, books and sites. If I understand it right the System files for booting go in an MBR partition at the front of drive and then there is a System Reserved partition after that (maybe MBR) but it seems to do that itself. Then there is a data partition in NTFS whjere the actual Windows files I see and use are located and whatever else I put there. Typically this would be Drive C: After that there is another GPT partition that holds something like a copy of the System boot files for Recovery. I have an ISO Win 10 Pro disk to install from and have done this a couple of times. Once it installs it looks good until I reboot the system. At that point I just get a Black Screen after it tries to start. (Never thought I would miss the BSOD but it at least gave an error message). 

This was an existing system, working fine for 18 months, updated to Creators Edition with no issues. Then in did some overnight update and had a Black screen. I used the Windows repair tool off the ISO disk, which could never repair it, but from the CMD windows I was able to xcopy all the files to another drive on the system. I know I have to reinstall my programs but that will only take a week or so and this had taken more than that just trying to get it going. But as noted after formatting the disk and installing Windows I get a black screen every time it restarts and have to reinstall again. So I think the boot files are not installing right due to format or partition issues.

Thanks, Walter

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

Follow the illustrated Clean Install steps in this tutorial which compiles the best possible install that will stay that way as long as you stick with the tools and methods given: http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/wiki...

Necessary formatting is done during install by choosing the UEFI version of the included bootable media, deleting all partitions down to Unallocated Space to clear formatting, then ideally click Next to let it auto-create and -format needed partitions and begin. This makes it foolproof and is the only true Clean Install.

To know what the format is now look at the disk configuration in DIsk Mgmt or a bootable partiiton manager. An EFI System partition is UEFI, a System Reserved or no System partition must be MBR.

But it's easiest to start over following the steps in the tutorial at top which will give you hands on experience at shaping an install created with everything that works best for Windows, worth more than any amount of money could buy.

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.
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.

18 people found this reply helpful

·

Was this reply helpful?

Sorry this didn't help.

Great! Thanks for your feedback.

How satisfied are you with this reply?

Thanks for your feedback, it helps us improve the site.

How satisfied are you with this reply?

Thanks for your feedback.

Go to a working computer, download, create a bootable copy, then perform a clean install.

Step 1: How to download official Windows 10 ISO files
http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/wiki...

Step 2: How to: Perform a clean install of Windows 10
http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/insider/wiki...

Review the following guide for instructions and details about configuring your BIOS or UEFI boot settings for DVD, CD, USB or SD Card.

BIOS/UEFI Setup Guide: Boot from a CD, DVD, USB Drive or SD Card
https://www.groovypost.com/howto/bios-uefi-setu...

Once your computer is set to boot from the DVD, you should see this option. If you are installing from a retail Windows 10 USB thumb drive, you will be asked to select either 32 or 64 bit Windows 10. Learn more here https://www.groovypost.com/howto/choose-windows...


The Windows logo will appear on screen, this might be here for a while, as long as you see the animating dots, everything should be ok.

Select your Language, Time and Keyboard method then click Next.

Click Install now

Windows 10 setup will prompt you for a product key during installation a couple times. If you originally upgraded from Windows 7 or Windows 8/8.1 click the option 'I don't have a key' and 'Do this later' . If you have a Windows 10 product key, you can proceed to enter it.

Setup will also prompt you to select the edition you have a license for - Home or Pro. Please make sure you choose the right edition. If you choose the wrong edition, your only option will be to perform a clean install again.

The copy of Windows 10 you download and upgrade from will correspond with the edition of Windows you have installed, if it does not, this is why you might be experiencing problems activating:

Windows 7 Starter, Home Basic, Home Premium, Windows 8.0 Core, Windows 8.1 Core should install Windows 10 Home

Windows 7 Professional, Windows 7 Ultimate, Windows 8.0 Pro, Windows 8.1 Pro should install Windows 10 Pro

Wait while setup prepares to copy files

Accept the license terms then click Next

Click Custom: Install Windows only (advanced)

NOTE: Sometimes Windows 10 setup can become confused if it see's a thumb drive. You might get a driver missing error or something to that effect. If you do, restart setup, but this time, when you arrive at the following screen, disconnect your thumb drive then go through Custom options. When setup is ready copy files, it will prompt you to reconnect the installation source (your USB).

Select the drive then click New

NOTE: If you have multiple partitions listed, select each one (starting at the bottom), then click delete until there is only a single (one) unallocated drive displayed in the window.

Select the unallocated drive listed, click New, click Apply then OK

This will split the drive into multiple partitions, select the Primary partition then click Next.

NOTE: The System Reserved partition is where recovery files are kept for diagnostics and repairing damaged Windows 10 files; or even reinstall Windows 10.

Wait while Windows installs

When this phase of setup is complete, Windows will automatically restart then reboot into setup again.

Windows is detecting and installing your hardware. After this is complete, Windows will restart one last time.

Out of Box Experience

The Out of Box Experience page is where you get to configure detailed settings in Windows, which includes creating a user account, configure privacy, sync PC settings and install modern applications.
Best,
Andre
twitter/adacosta
groovypost.com

20 people found this reply helpful

·

Was this reply helpful?

Sorry this didn't help.

Great! Thanks for your feedback.

How satisfied are you with this reply?

Thanks for your feedback, it helps us improve the site.

How satisfied are you with this reply?

Thanks for your feedback.

 
 

Question Info

Last updated March 24, 2024 Views 85,398 Applies to: