"Windows 11 Installation: Unable to install Windows on this disk. GPT"

Written by

Sherly 

Authored by

Tracy King 

Last updated on April 22, 2024

Unlike previous versions, Windows 11 has strict hardware requirements that include TPM 2.0, UEFI, and the correct GPT partition style. When you attempt to install Windows 11 from a bootable USB Windows installation media, you might receive the error message, "Windows cannot be installed to this disk. The selected disk is of the GPT partition style." This article will help you resolve this issue.

请提供需要翻译成中文的英文文本。

Note that this error will occur, and you won't be able to proceed with the Windows 11 installation until it's fixed. This guide will teach you how to resolve it without converting MBR to GPT.

The reason for the "Selected disk is of GPT partition style" message lies in the fact that the disk you have chosen to operate on uses the GUID Partition Table (GPT) format. GPT is a modern partitioning scheme used for hard disks and solid-state drives, which provides more flexibility and security compared to the older Master Boot Record (MBR) format. This message typically appears when attempting to perform an operation that is not compatible with GPT disks or when the system expects an MBR disk.

When you encounter this error, some tutorials might suggest first converting the MBR to GPT, but that method works for Windows 10 and not Windows 11, which supports GPT. The issue is with the boot mode used by the USB installation media.

If you're trying to install Windows 11 on a GPT disk, your USB should boot in UEFI mode. Otherwise, you'll see an error like this.

• UEFI - GPT
• Legacy BIOS - MBR
This is already in English. It seems to be a list of two different boot modes and their corresponding partition table formats: - UEFI (Unified Extensible Firmware Interface) uses the GUID Partition Table (GPT). - Legacy BIOS (Basic Input/Output System) uses the Master Boot Record (MBR).

How to Solve the Problem of "Selected Disk is in GPT Partition Style"

To change the boot mode, you can proceed with the Windows 11 installation smoothly. You may try the following verified methods:

Boot into UEFI mode

One direct way to fix this issue is to change the BIOS to UEFI, but only if your computer supports both. If you were previously using the Legacy BIOS mode to work with MBR style, that won't work here.

So when you get the error “Windows cannot be installed to this disk. The selected disk is of the GPT partition style,” you can enter your BIOS and check whether it allows you to switch to UEFI.

Step 1: Turn off your computer and then turn it back on.

Step 2: Before the operating system loads, you should see a splash screen that displays which key to press to enter the BIOS. It's typically DELETE or F2.

Step 3: In the BIOS, find the “Boot” tab and switch to UEFI. Save the changes and exit.

Note: The option to change from BIOS to UEFI varies depending on the manufacturer.

If you do not see any UEFI mode, this means that your computer offers only BIOS mode. In this case, if your disk has not already been converted to MBR format, you will need to do so.

Additional Tip: How to Solve the "Windows Can Only Be Installed on a GPT Disk" Issue

To fix this, you need to do two things. First, ensure that your firmware is set to boot in UEFI mode. Many firmwares support both MBR and UEFI, so you may be able to switch. Second, you'll need to convert your MBR disk to GPT.

Given that Windows requires UEFI and GPT as well as other security features, you no longer have the option of using traditional BIOS and MBR styles.

One of the biggest challenges in converting from MBR to GPT style is doing so without losing data and while keeping everything intact. Follow this solution to address that issue.

Solution 1: Convert MBR to GPT with Partition Master Tool

Disk Partition Manager Tool is a disk management software used for handling various storage operations. This tool offers the following features:

• Resize/ delete/ merge/ create partitions
• Convert MBR to GPT and vice versa
• Create a WinPE disk for recovery purposes
• Convert to other disk formats
• Wipe data securely to prevent recovery

Unlike the Windows tool, it lets you convert from MBR to GPT without any loss. So, you can convert from MBR to GPT, reboot, and then proceed with the Windows 11 installation.

Solution 2: Convert to GPT via Command Prompt

Therefore, if you want to install Windows 11 on the disk, you can use Command Prompt to convert the Windows installation media (USB or DVD) to GPT. However, if your reserved data is stored on the device, this method will wipe all the data. So, to avoid data loss, it's best to use the Partition Master tool in Method 1 without worrying about losing data.

Step 1: Turn off your PC and insert your Windows installation USB drive or DVD.

Step 2. Boot from the USB or DVD and start the Windows installer. Press Shift+F10 to open a Command Prompt.

Step 3: Type the following command:

```
• diskpart
• list disk
• select disk
• clean
• convert gpt
• exit
``` Replace `` with the actual number of the disk you want to modify. This is a series of commands to be executed in the Command Prompt on a Windows system to clean and convert a disk to GPT (GUID Partition Table) format.

Step 3: Once you've done that, you can proceed with the Windows 11 installation.

Note that once this is done, it will show up as one large unallocated space. You will need to create new partitions, one of which will be specifically for the Windows installation. Make sure to use the UI to create the other partitions as well, as it's very convenient here.

Conclusions

In this article, we showcase two common errors encountered during the Windows installation process. A feasible solution to the "The selected disk is of the GPT partition style" error is to boot the USB installation media in UEFI mode. We also discuss an error and present two resolution methods. Choose the appropriate method as per your requirement.