Trouble installing windows on laptop: Disks is GPT partition style.

sGmtn · 10 Oct 2014

I was going to format one of my partitions and install windows on it and save the data on the other partition. But now I having trouble with it saying "Windows cannot be installed to this disk. The selected disk is of the GPT partition style. It says the same on all of them

Here´s how it looks:

Name Total Size Free Space Type
Disk 0 Partition 1: SYSTEM 200.0 MB 173.0 MB SYSTEM
Disk 0 Partition 2 128.0 MB 128.0 MB MSR (Reserved)
Disk 0 Unallocated Space 400.5 GB 400.5 GB
Disk 0 Partition 3: DATA 505.6 GB 19.8 GB Primary
Disk 0 Partition 4: Recovery 25.0 GB 12.9 GB OEM (Reserved)

The thing is that I really need to save the files on Partition 3: DATA, but unfortanely I clicked format on "Disk 0 Unallocated Space" where I had windows installed. So now I can´t get into windows and transfer those files to an external harddrive or other computer etc.

So is there any way I could install windows on the "Disk 0 Unallocated Space" and still save my data on "Disk 0 Partition 3: DATA"?

Kaktussoft · 10 Oct 2014

Download Macrium Reflect backup software or any other bacup software you prefer. Download an rescue ISO where you can boot from and make backups. Backup the data you don't want to lose!! I think at least partition DATA. Report back when done successfully

Kaktussoft · 10 Oct 2014

Windows Setup: Installing using the MBR or GPT partition style

You need to enable CSM it is probably disabled ... Windows 7 requires the CSM (compatibility support module, e.g. legacy mode) to be enabled in BIOS setup.

gregrocker · 12 Oct 2014

Your Win7 was clearly installed in UEFI mode to a GPT disk. The only way you'll have any chance of keeping the same partition structure without wiping the disk first is to reinstall in UEFI mode.

Did you boot the Win7 installer as a UEFI device from its Boot Menu, or if you're using flash stick installer did you format it using Option One in UEFI Bootable USB Flash Drive - Create in Windows?

This should allow you to reinstall in UEFI mode to C, but you may need to delete the first two System partitions first in addtion to C first (which is already Unallocated now) up to your Data partition and create a new partition to format for reinstall. This will break out two new boot partitions at the beginning of the drive in addition to C where you'll install the actual OS.

If this fails report back the exact error message and behavior, as well as the present BIOS settings for UEFI, CSM, Legacy, and BIOS Boot priority order. Include all other choices for these.

No data is ever safe unless backed up at all times, so I'd use one of these options to Copy & Paste - in Windows Recovery Console to rescue your data, or use Paragon Rescue Kit Free Edition Free Download - Softpedia CD.