AOMEI Partition Assistant
[Fixed] The Selected Disk is of the GPT Partition Style on Windows PCs
When you encounter the selected disk is of the GPT partition style error, you can follow this guide to convert the GPT to MBR without data loss to easily install the Windows.
By Dervish / Updated on March 11, 2025
Error: The selected disk is of the GPT partition style
I am going to install Windows 7 on my new purchased PC, but when I use Windows Setup to install Windows on the system disk, the problem occurs. I received an error message: "Windows cannot be installed to this disk. The selected disk is of the GPT partition style". The result is still the same when I re-operate it. What is the reason? I don't know how to solve it, can anyone help me!
Why does The selected disk is of the GPT partition style happen?
When you encounter Windows cannot be installed to this disk the selected disk is of the GPT partition style, you may want to know why does it happen. Here is an easy table to help you better understand the issue.
| Cause | Explanation |
|---|---|
| BIOS Compatibility | Older systems with Legacy BIOS do not support GPT partitions. Windows requires UEFI to install on a GPT disk. |
| Boot Mode Mismatch | UEFI mode requires GPT, while Legacy BIOS requires MBR. If the disk partition style does not match the boot mode, installation fails. To check UEFI or BIOS on your PC, you can refer to this article. |
| Disk Format Issues | If the disk format is incorrect or corrupted, Windows may not recognize it for installation. Formatting to NTFS and ensuring it follows GPT can help. |
| Corrupted Installation Media | Damaged or incomplete installation files on a USB or DVD can cause errors. Creating a new bootable drive may fix the issue. |
| Partition Style Mismatch | A disk formatted as MBR will not work with UEFI mode, and a GPT disk will not work with Legacy BIOS mode. Conversion or boot mode adjustment is needed. |
| MBR vs. GPT Limitations | MBR only supports disks up to 2TB with a maximum of four primary partitions, while GPT supports larger disks and up to 128 partitions. GPT is required for modern systems with UEFI. If you are interested in the differences in MBR and GPT, you can click to read. |
How do I fix the selected disk is of the GPT partition style?
When installing Windows, you can use the command prompt to convert GPT to MBR. For specific operations, please refer to the following steps:
Step 1. At the Windows Setup, press “Shift + F10” keys together on the keyboard to open the Command Prompt window.
Step 2. Input bellow orders in sequence and press Enter.
●diskpart
● list disk
● select disk 1 (1 is the disk number of the hard drive you want to convert)
● clean (This operation will wipe all data on the selected hard drive, please backup important data before you start.)
● convert gpt
After completion, you can enter "exit" to exit Diskpart and Command Prompt. This is a method, but it will completely erase the data on the GPT disk. If you don't want to lose data, you can try another simpler method.
An alternative way to convert GPT to MBR (recommended)
AOMEI Partition Assistant is a powerful GPT to MBR conversion tool. It can convert GPT to MBR without cleaning any data. There is no need to enter the command line, and each step has a concise explanation to guide you through it. In addition to converting GPT to MBR, it also supports convert MBR to GPT for Windows 11. More features are waiting for you to try. You can download this software to see how to fix the selected disk is of the GPT partition style in Windows 11/10/8/7.
AOMEI Partition AssistantThe Best Windows Disk Partition Manager and PC Optimizer
Since your PC does not have Windows OS installed, it cannot be turned on. So we need to prepare a USB to create bootable media. Insert the USB you prepared into a Windows 11/10/8/7 computer that can run normally.
Step 1. Install and run AOMEI Partition Assistant Professional in USB. Click on “Make Bootable Media” and follow the wizard to finish creating a bootable media.
Step 2. Insert this bootable disk to the computer that you're having problem installing Windows on. Then enter the BIOS when booting, and change the boot sequence of the USB to first. This is to allow the computer to boot from the bootable USB.
Step 3. When the interface of AOMEI Partition Assistant is loaded, right-click disk you need to convert and choose Convert to MBR Disk.
Step 4. Click OK to make sure to convert GPT to MBR. At last, click Apply to save the operation.
After that, your GPT disk has been successfully converted to MBR disk without data loss. Then you can follow your previous steps to reinstall Windows 7 on this disk.
Do you now know how to fix the "The selected disk is of the GPT partition style"? AOMEI Partition Assistant is definitely your first choice. If you want to convert MBR/GPT to MBR/GPT in Windows Server, please upgrade to AOMEI Partition Assistant Server.
Further reading: How to recover lost data after encounter the error?
If you lost data after converting GPT to MBR without software, like using Command Prompt and Disk Management, AOMEI Partition Assistant can help recover it without data loss. It’s also useful for restoring files from a lost GPT drive, a corrupted hard disk, or accidental deletion. Known for its reliability and user-friendly interface, it’s a trusted choice among users.
AOMEI Partition AssistantThe Best Windows Disk Partition Manager and PC Optimizer
- ★ It offers these key features:
- Recovers deleted files even after emptying the Recycle Bin, Windows OS updates, virus attacks, or accidental deletion in Windows 11, Windows 10, Windows 8/8.1, and Windows 7.
- Supports data recovery from various sources, including partitions, external hard drives, and USB flash drives.
- Works with over 1,000 file formats, including photos, videos, audio files, and documents.
Step 1. Install and launch AOMEI Partition Assistant. Click on "Recover" from the top menu, then select "Recover Data".
Step 2. Choose the USB drive that contains the lost files and click "Start Scan".
Step 3. After the scanning process is complete, a list of all deleted files will be displayed. Tick the checkboxes next to the lost files you want to recover, then click "Recover".
Step 4. Select a destination path to save the recovered files.
Step 5. Once the recovery process is finished, navigate to the chosen path to locate and access your recovered files.
Conclusion
The "Selected disk is of the GPT partition style" error usually occurs due to BIOS compatibility issues, boot mode mismatches, or partition format conflicts. To resolve this, users can convert GPT to MBR using Command Prompt, though this erases data, or use AOMEI Partition Assistant for a safer conversion without data loss. This tool also provides data recovery options if files are lost during the process. By following the appropriate steps, users can successfully install Windows on their system.
