When you’re trying to install Windows on a new computer or a new hard drive, you may encounter the error message “”Windows cannot be installed to disk 0 partition 1.”” This error can occur for a variety of reasons, but the most common cause is that the partition table on the hard drive is corrupted.
In this article, I’ll show you how to fix the “”Windows cannot be installed to disk 0 partition 1″” error. I’ll cover the following topics:
- What causes the “”Windows cannot be installed to disk 0 partition 1″” error
- How to fix the error using the Windows 10 installation media
- How to fix the error using the Diskpart command-line tool
- How to prevent the error from happening again
What Causes the “”Windows Cannot be Installed to Disk 0 Partition 1″” Error
There are a few different things that can cause the “”Windows cannot be installed to disk 0 partition 1″” error. The most common cause is a corrupted partition table. This can happen if the hard drive is damaged, if the partition table is accidentally deleted, or if the partition table is overwritten by another operating system.
Another possible cause of the error is a misaligned partition. This can happen if you create a partition on a hard drive that is not aligned with the sector size of the hard drive. When this happens, the partition table can become corrupted, which can prevent Windows from being installed.
Finally, the error can also be caused by a bad sector on the hard drive. A bad sector is a section of the hard drive that is damaged and cannot be read or written to. If a bad sector is located on the partition where you are trying to install Windows, it can prevent the installation from succeeding.
How to Fix the Error Using the Windows 10 Installation Media
If you’re getting the “”Windows cannot be installed to disk 0 partition 1″” error, the first thing you should try is to fix the error using the Windows 10 installation media. To do this, follow these steps:
- Download the Windows 10 installation media from the Microsoft website.
- Create a bootable USB drive using the installation media.
- Boot your computer from the USB drive.
- At the Welcome screen, click Repair your computer.
- In the Choose an option screen, click Troubleshoot.
- In the Advanced options screen, click Command Prompt.
- At the command prompt, type the following command:
diskpart
- At the diskpart prompt, type the following command:
list disk
This will list all of the disks that are connected to your computer.
- Identify the disk that you want to fix. The disk that you want to fix will be the one that has the error message “”Windows cannot be installed to disk 0 partition 1.””
- Type the following command to select the disk:
select disk <disk number>
Replace with the number of the disk that you want to fix.
- Type the following command to clean the disk:
clean
This will delete all of the partitions on the disk.
- Type the following command to create a new partition:
create partition primary
- Type the following command to format the partition:
format fs=ntfs quick
- Type the following command to activate the partition:
active
- Type the following command to exit diskpart:
exit
- At the command prompt, type the following command:
bcdboot C:\Windows /s <disk letter>:
Replace with the letter of the disk that you just formatted.
- Restart your computer.
Once your computer has restarted, you should be able to install Windows without any problems.
Here are some alternate things you can try to fix this problem
1. Format the partition
The first thing you can try is to format the partition. This will erase all of the data on the partition, so make sure to back up any important files before you proceed. To format the partition, follow these steps:
- Open the Disk Management tool.
- Right-click on the partition you want to format and select “Format.
- Select the desired file system (NTFS is recommended) and click “OK.
2. Enlarge the partition
If the partition is not large enough to install Windows, you can try to enlarge it. This can be done using a disk partitioning tool, such as EaseUS Partition Master.
3. Repair the partition
If the partition is damaged or corrupted, you can try to repair it using the CHKDSK tool. To repair the partition, follow these steps:
- Open the Command Prompt as an administrator.
- Type the following command and press Enter:
chkdsk C: /f /r
4. Remove conflicting partitions
If there is a conflict with another partition on the hard drive, you can try to remove the conflicting partition. This can be done using a disk partitioning tool, such as EaseUS Partition Master.
5. Install Windows to a different partition
If you have tried all of the above steps and you are still unable to fix the error, you can try to install Windows to a different partition. This will erase all of the data on the partition, so make sure to back up any important files before you proceed.
Conclusion
If you are still having trouble fixing the error “Windows cannot be installed to Disk 0 Partition 1,” you can contact Microsoft support for assistance.
FAQs
Q: Can I fix this error without formatting the partition?
A: In some cases, you may be able to fix the error without formatting the partition. However, this is not always possible.
Q: Will I lose my data if I format the partition?
A: Yes, formatting the partition will erase all of the data on the partition. Make sure to back up any important files before you proceed.
Q: How can I prevent this error from happening again?
A: To prevent this error from happening again, make sure to back up your data regularly. You should also make sure that your hard drive is in good condition and that you are using the latest version of Windows.
Q: What is the difference between formatting and partitioning a hard drive?
A: Formatting a hard drive erases all of the data on the drive and prepares it for use. Partitioning a hard drive divides the drive into smaller sections, called partitions.
Q: What is the best way to partition a hard drive?
A: The best way to partition a hard drive is to use a disk partitioning tool, such as EaseUS Partition Master. These tools can help you create and manage partitions without losing data.
Q: What is Disk 0 Partition 1?
Disk 0 Partition 1 is the first partition on the first hard drive in your computer. This partition is typically used to store the operating system, such as Windows.
Q: Why is Windows Cannot be Installed to Disk 0 Partition 1 occurring?
There are a few reasons why you might see this error, including:
- The partition is not formatted correctly.
- The partition is not large enough to install Windows.
- The partition is damaged or corrupted.
- There is a conflict with another partition on the hard drive.

Hi! I’m Eric and I work on the knowledge base at GadgetMates.com. You can see some of my writings about technology, cellphone repair, and computer repair here.
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