How to Reinstall Windows 10 on GPT Drive

• To reinstall Windows 10 on a GPT drive, you need to use UEFI mode and a FAT32-formatted installation media with an EFI System Partition.
• You can check and change your computer’s firmware mode in the firmware settings, and you can check and format your installation media using Disk Management and the Media Creation Tool.
• You can follow the steps in the article to fix the problems and reinstall Windows 10 on your GPT drive, and you can also find some frequently asked questions and answers related to the topic.

If you have a computer with a GPT (GUID Partition Table) drive, you may encounter some issues when trying to reinstall Windows 10. For example, you may see an error message like “Windows cannot be installed to this disk. The selected disk is of the GPT partition style.” or “We couldn’t create a new partition or locate an existing one.”

In this article, we will explain what causes these problems and how to fix them. We will also answer some frequently asked questions related to reinstalling Windows 10 on a GPT drive.

What is a GPT Drive?

A GPT drive is a type of disk that uses the GUID Partition Table (GPT) as its partitioning scheme. GPT is a newer and more advanced standard than the traditional Master Boot Record (MBR) that was used by older computers.

GPT has several advantages over MBR, such as:

• It supports disks larger than 2 TB (terabytes).
• It allows up to 128 primary partitions per disk, while MBR only allows up to four.
• It provides better data protection and recovery options, such as using a backup header and a CRC32 checksum.
• It supports Secure Boot, which is a feature that prevents unauthorized software from running during the boot process.

Why Can’t I Install Windows 10 on a GPT Drive?

There are two main reasons why you may not be able to install Windows 10 on a GPT drive:

• Your computer’s firmware mode is not compatible with GPT. Your computer’s firmware is the software that controls the basic functions of your hardware, such as booting and loading the operating system. There are two types of firmware modes: BIOS (Basic Input/Output System) and UEFI (Unified Extensible Firmware Interface). BIOS is the older and simpler mode, while UEFI is the newer and more advanced mode. To install Windows 10 on a GPT drive, you need to use UEFI mode, not BIOS mode. If your computer uses BIOS mode, you will need to change it to UEFI mode in the firmware settings before installing Windows 10.
• Your installation media is not formatted for GPT. Your installation media is the device that you use to install Windows 10, such as a USB flash drive or a DVD. To install Windows 10 on a GPT drive, your installation media needs to be formatted with the FAT32 file system and have an EFI System Partition (ESP). If your installation media is formatted with the NTFS file system or does not have an ESP, you will need to reformat it or create a new one before installing Windows 10.

How to Fix the Problems and Reinstall Windows 10 on a GPT Drive?

To fix the problems and reinstall Windows 10 on a GPT drive, you will need to follow these steps:

Step 1: Check your computer’s firmware mode and change it to UEFI if necessary. To do this, you will need to access your computer’s firmware settings, which are usually accessed by pressing a specific key (such as F2, F10, F12, Esc, or Delete) during the startup process. The exact key and method may vary depending on your computer’s manufacturer and model, so you may need to consult your user manual or online support for more details. Once you enter the firmware settings, look for an option that lets you switch between BIOS and UEFI modes. Select UEFI mode and save your changes.

Step 2: Check your installation media and format it for GPT if necessary. To do this, you will need another working computer with Windows 10 and an empty USB flash drive with at least 8 GB of storage space. Plug in your USB flash drive and open Disk Management by pressing Windows + X and selecting Disk Management from the menu. Right-click on your USB flash drive and select Delete Volume to erase all data on it. Then right-click on it again and select New Simple Volume to create a new partition. Follow the wizard and make sure to select FAT32 as the file system and assign a drive letter. After creating the partition, right-click on it again and select Mark Partition as Active to make it bootable.

Step 3: Download and run the Media Creation Tool from Microsoft’s website here. This tool will help you create a Windows 10 installation media on your USB flash drive. Follow the instructions and make sure to select Create installation media for another PC when prompted. Choose the language, edition, and architecture (64-bit or 32-bit) of Windows 10 that you want to install. Then select USB flash drive as the media type and choose your USB flash drive from the list of available drives. The tool will download and copy the necessary files to your USB flash drive.

Step 4: Plug in your USB flash drive to your computer with the GPT drive and restart it. Press the key that lets you access the boot menu (such as F9, F10, F11, or F12) during the startup process. The exact key and method may vary depending on your computer’s manufacturer and model, so you may need to consult your user manual or online support for more details. Once you enter the boot menu, select your USB flash drive as the boot device and press Enter.

Step 5: Follow the Windows 10 installation wizard and choose Custom: Install Windows only (advanced) when prompted. You will see a list of partitions on your GPT drive. Delete all of them by selecting each one and clicking Delete. Then click Next to create a new partition and install Windows 10 on it. The installation wizard will automatically create the necessary partitions for GPT, including the ESP and the Microsoft Reserved Partition (MSR).

Step 6: Complete the installation process and enjoy your new Windows 10 on your GPT drive.

Frequently Asked Questions

Here are some common questions and answers related to reinstalling Windows 10 on a GPT drive:

Question: Can I convert an MBR drive to a GPT drive without losing data?

Answer: Yes, you can use a tool called MBR2GPT.exe that is included in Windows 10 version 1703 or later. This tool can convert an MBR drive to a GPT drive without deleting or formatting the existing partitions. However, this tool only works if your computer supports UEFI mode and your MBR drive meets certain requirements, such as having four or less primary partitions.

Question: Can I install Windows 10 on a GPT drive in BIOS mode?

Answer: No, you cannot install Windows 10 on a GPT drive in BIOS mode. BIOS mode only supports MBR drives, while UEFI mode supports both MBR and GPT drives. If you try to install Windows 10 on a GPT drive in BIOS mode, you will encounter an error message like “Windows cannot be installed to this disk. The selected disk is of the GPT partition style.” or “We couldn’t create a new partition or locate an existing one.”

Question: Can I dual boot Windows 10 with another operating system on a GPT drive?

Answer: Yes, you can dual boot Windows 10 with another operating system on a GPT drive, as long as both operating systems support GPT and UEFI mode. For example, you can dual boot Windows 10 with Linux on a GPT drive, as most modern Linux distributions support GPT and UEFI mode. However, you may need to adjust some settings in the firmware or the boot manager to make both operating systems work properly.

Disclaimer

This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal or professional advice. The author and publisher are not liable for any damages or losses that may result from following the instructions or recommendations in this article. Always consult a qualified expert before making any changes to your computer’s hardware or software.