


How to fix 'Windows can't be installed because this PC has an unsupported disk layout'
Jul 23, 2025 am 02:04 AMYou encounter the "Windows cannot be installed because this computer has an unsupported disk layout" error usually because the disk partition format does not match the system boot mode. 1. The UEFI system needs to use the GPT partition format; 2. The Legacy BIOS system should use the MBR format; 3. You can open msinfo32 through Win R to view the "BIOS mode", confirm that it is currently UEFI or Legacy, and make sure that the disk partition format corresponds to it, otherwise this error will be triggered.
You'll run into the error “Windows can't be installed because this PC has an unsupported disk layout” when trying to install Windows on a UEFI-based system that doesn't meet certain partitioning requirements. The main issue usually comes down to how the drive is partitioned — specifically, whether it's using the correct partition style (GPT or MBR) and if required partitions like the EFI System Partition (ESP) are present.

Here's how to fix it without getting stuck in technical jargon.
Check if your system uses UEFI or Legacy BIOS
Before making any changes, you need to know whether your system boots in UEFI or Legacy mode — because that determines what kind of partition table your drive should use.

- UEFI systems require GPT disks
- Legacy BIOS systems use MBR disks
To check:
- Press
Win R
, typemsinfo32
, and hit Enter. - Look for "BIOS Mode" under the system summary.
- If it says UEFI , your drive needs to be GPT.
- If it says Legacy , then MBR is fine.
Mismuring the boot mode with the partition style causes this error.

Convert the disk from MBR to GPT (or vice versa)
If you're installing Windows 10/11 in UEFI mode, your drive must be GPT. If it's currently MBR, you'll need to convert it.
Important : Converting will erase all data on the disk. Back up anything important first.
Here's how to do it:
- Use DiskPart during installation:
- When you see the error, click “OK” to go back.
- Click "Repair your computer" > "Troubleshoot" > "Advanced Options" > "Command Prompt".
- Type these commands one by one:
diskpart list disk select disk X (replace X with the number of your target disk) Clean convert gpt exit
- Restart the installer.
Alternatively, you can use tools like MBR2GPT from within Windows, but during a fresh install, DiskPart is the easiest way.
Make sure you have the required partitions
Even with a GPT disk, Windows Setup expects specific partitions to exist — especially on UEFI systems. You need:
- EFI System Partition (ESP) – ~100MB FAT32
- MSR (Microsoft Reserved Partition) – ~16MB
- Primary Windows partition – where Windows gets installed
Sometimes, if you've manually deleted or messed up these partitions before, Windows won't recognize the layout.
Fix: Let Windows create them automatically:
- During setup, after converting the disk to GPT, just click "Next" again.
- Windows will automatically generate the right partitions.
If you're doing a custom install and want to manage partitions yourself, make sure you leave space at the beginning of the disk for the ESP and MSR.
Double-check your USB installer and boot mode
Sometimes, the problem isn't the disk itself, but how you're trying to install Windows.
- If you're using a USB installer made in Legacy mode on a UEFI system (or vice versa), you'll get this error even if the disk is set up correctly.
- Also, some USB installers are incorrectly formatted as MBR when they should be GPT-compatible.
Quick fixes:
- Re-create the USB installer using the official Media Creation Tool.
- In your BIOS/UEFI settings, try switching between UEFI and Legacy boot modes to match what your USB was created with.
Basically, the error shows up when there's a mismatch between your system's boot mode and your disk's partition style. Fixing it usually involves converting the disk to GPT (if needed), letting Windows create the proper partitions, and ensuring your installer matches your system's boot method.
That's about it — not rocket science, but easy to mess up if you skip a step.
The above is the detailed content of How to fix 'Windows can't be installed because this PC has an unsupported disk layout'. For more information, please follow other related articles on the PHP Chinese website!

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