Fixing this abrupt error is easy if you know the precise reason behind it.

Why Does the “Windows Cannot Be Installed to This Disk” Error Appear?

The BIOS has two versions:Unified Extensible Firmware Interface(UEFI) and Legacy BIOS.

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Each only works with a certain hard drive partition style:Legacy BIOSsupportsMBR,whileUEFIsupportsGPT.

The installation will fail if there’s a mismatch.

Many third-party apps for copying data without booting to the desktop are also available.

Lenovo laptop showing file explorer in Windows 11

However, you may need to buy a subscription before you could use them to create the data backup.

But first, check your PC’s BIOS to confirm that UEFI isn’t available.

When youre in BIOS, youll need to look for theBoot mode.

Instant Camera App on iPhone Taking a Photo

Due to differences in OEMs' BIOS UI designs, the option might be located deep inside BIOS parameters.

Generally, theres aBoottab, and this is where youll find Boot mode.

you’ve got the option to use this method while installing Windows on a disk.

viewing the available disks using diskpart while installing windows

Since this method purges all data, you cannot do so while logged in to your PC.

Alternatively, you could use third-party software toconvert your GPT partition disk to MBR without losing data.

To convert the disk to MBR:

When youre done, exit the Command Prompt window.

converting gpt disk to mbr  using diskpart while installing windows

Return to the Windows installation page and spin up the installation again.

So, youll need to convert the disk to the GPT partition style.

When youre in the BIOS, navigate to theBoot Ordersection and search forEFI boot sources.

converting mbr disk to gpt using diskpart while installing windows

Disable it and run Windows installation.

Once the installation is completed, re-enable theEFI boot sources.

If the option to disable EFI sources isnt available, youll need to convert the partition.

selecting empty disk to install windows

The only thing that will change is the command in step7.

Instead ofconvert mbr, typeconvert gptinstead.

When youre done, exit the command prompt and continue with the installation.

viewing the list of volumes using disk part

Simply grab the unallocated disk and proceed with the installation.

If there are partitions, you must delete all of them.

Select a partition and click onDelete.

Repeat this process until the entire disk is empty.

snag the disk with unallocated space, click onNext,and continue with the installation.

This should fix the error, and youll be able to move forward with the installation.

If that doesn’t work, see if the SATA controller is set up correctly.

Configure the SATA Controller Mode

The error also results from an incorrectly configured SATA Controller mode in BIOS.

you’re free to either reset the BIOS to default.

If the current hard disk state is IDE, change it to AHCI, and vice versa.

Fixing this error requires changing the default SAN policy.