Install Windows via Rufus despite partition issues
Install Windows via Rufus despite partition issues
I need to prepare a clean setup of my PC for a fresh Windows install. This was the last time I did it about five years ago, and I realize I should have kept better records. My system uses a dual-boot configuration: Disk 0 holds my Linux installation, while Disk 1 is at least where Windows was installed. I’m running an AMD Megatrends BIOS. Right now, I’m not focused on dual-booting; my priority is getting Windows up and running. I’ll walk you through each step in order so you understand my current situation.
I created a bootable USB using Rufus with the default settings. My first concern was whether Rufus creates two bootable partitions—UEFI and non-UEFI—by default. When I tried to boot from the non-UEFI partition in BIOS (as shown in the attached file), I encountered errors 2 and 3. I’m unsure what error code 0x refers to, but I need to resolve this before proceeding.
I decided to use MBR instead of the default settings for my Rufus USB. However, even with that change, I’m still facing issues. My goal is a clean Windows 10 installation on Disk 1, and I’m okay if it works on Disks 2 or 3 as well—just don’t let me down. I’m starting this new job Monday and really wanted to focus on this task over the weekend. I’d be deeply appreciative of anyone who can guide me through this process.
Can you adjust your drives to NTFS format within the Windows Installer? The problem is that Windows only supports NTFS-formatted drives, while yours are GPT-formatted. You’ll need to reformat the drive first before installing Windows. If you choose the drive in the installer and click "Format," a menu will appear where you can make the necessary changes.
GPT differs from NTFS in structure. GPT acts as a partitioning method (not MBR), whereas NTFS functions as a file system built on top of GPT. @eco_bach Your problem has two parts. You're attempting to install on a drive that already has a file system. If you wish to install on disk 1, remove each partition until the disk is completely unallocated space. The second concern is that your system only supports booting from MBR due to an older BIOS, not UEFI. You must convert disk 1 to use MBR instead of GPT. This can be done through DiskPart in the installation settings: https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/wind...9f5c1ee4d3