
A UEFI-based device requires installing Windows on a GPT disk, while a BIOS-based computer requires installing Windows on an MBR disk. Solutions to the GPT partition style errorĪs earlier discussed, all PCs boot to either one of the following modes: LEGACY or UEFI. This will allow your PC to use the Legacy mode to boot up, thus fixing the “Windows cannot be installed to this disk” error. Also, you might have the opportunity to change the boot order and select “LEGACY” as the first option. If you have such a computer, you should select the second option, LEGACY/UEFI. In some other computers, you can find two options:


If you get the prompt reading “Windows cannot be installed to this disk. Therefore, you can check this before creating your bootable hard drive by going into BIOS and selecting the appropriate BIOS setup mode. Note: UEFI Bios Setup is compatible with GPT partitioning style, while Legacy BIOS setup is compatible with MBR.īoth the MBR and GPT are the commonly used partition styles on computers, while BIOS and UEFI are the boot modes.

In other terms, if you have chosen an MBR or GPT partition to install Windows, then you must understand what motherboard firmware you are using, and you should proceed to keep the two terms marched. Additionally, suppose you are installing Windows on UEFI-based computers using Windows setup, the partition style of your hard drive has to be set up to support the legacy BIOS-compatibility mode or the UEFI mode. When installing Windows, you have to create your installation disk using either MBR or GPT partition style. The selected disk is of the GPT partition style. Windows cannot be installed on this disk.
