How to Fix ‘Windows Can Only Be Installed to a GPT Disk’ Error?
The error “Windows can only be installed to a GPT disk” occurs because your system is set up to boot in UEFI mode, which requires a GPT partition style for the installation drive. Older systems often use the MBR (Master Boot Record) partitioning, which is incompatible with UEFI-based installations. This mismatch prevents Windows from installing until the disk’s partition scheme matches the system’s firmware (UEFI), as GPT+UEFI is mandatory for modern Windows versions like Windows 11.
| Type | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|
| UEFI + GPT |
|
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| BIOS + MBR |
|
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Below are the details and solutions to resolve this error:
1. Convert the Disk to GPT During Windows Installation
If you’re installing Windows in UEFI mode, your disk must use the GPT partition style instead of the older MBR format. Converting the disk to GPT ensures seamless installation, but this process will erase all existing data on the disk. Before proceeding:
- Back up critical files to avoid permanent data loss.
- Use the Windows installer’s built-in tools (e.g., Command Prompt with
diskpartor theMBR2GPTutility) to safely convert the disk without third-party software.
- Boot your PC using the Windows installation media.
- At the initial setup screen, press Shift + F10 to open the Command Prompt.
- In the Command Prompt, type diskpart and press Enter.
- Next, type list disk and press Enter to display all available disks.
- Identify the disk where you want to install Windows, then type select disk X (replace X with the number of your disk).
- Type clean and press Enter to format the selected disk.
- After formatting, type convert GPT and press Enter to convert the disk to GPT format.
- Type exit to close the Diskpart utility, then close the Command Prompt. Proceed with the Windows installation as usual. This should resolve the error.
2. Convert Your MBR Disk to GPT (Without Losing Data)
The problem with traditional conversion methods is that they require deleting all partitions to rewrite the disk’s partition structure from scratch, which erases your data. This happens because MBR and GPT use fundamentally different ways to store partition information.
However, Microsoft’s MBR2GPT.exe tool bypasses this limitation by:
- Checking if the existing partitions and data can fit into GPT’s structure.
- Rewriting the disk’s metadata to GPT without modifying the actual data stored in partitions.
- Ensuring your system can boot correctly after the switch.
For a step-by-step guide to safely convert your disk without losing files, visit our tutorial: Convert MBR to GPT Without Losing Data
