When you can’t install Windows with the error “Setup was unable to create a new system partition”, you can try one or more effective solutions listed in this post.
By
Bryce
/ Last Updated February 2, 2021
"Setup was unable to create a new system partition error occurs
Try to upgrade my HDD to SSD and I need to install operating system on the SSD. However, I get a message saying that “Setup was unable to create a new system partition or locate an existing system partition. See the Setup log files for more information when I try to install Windows 7 from installation USB. Why do I can’t create a system partition during Windows installation? How to fix the issue?"
- Question from microsoft.com
Setup was unable to create a new system partition or locate an existing system partition error suggest that Windows can’t identify which device to install operating system. Usually, the error occurs to Windows legacy installation from USB flash drive or USB external hard drive. The essence of fixing the issue is to make Windows recognize where OS should be installed. You can try one of more methods listed as following based on a specific situation:
▶ Solution 1. Remove all peripheral devices and re-insert the USB
▶ Solution 2. Change SATA controller mode to IDE in BIOS
▶ Solution 3. Set the hard drive where you want to install Windows as the first boot device
▶ Solution 4. Create the system partition manually
▶ Solution 5. An ultra-easy way to install Windows on your SSD or HDD
First of all, you can remove all unnecessary external devices other than the USB drive for Windows installation. Then, you can see whether you can install Windows 7, 8, or 10 successfully. If you still fail to create a new system partition, you can remove the Windows installation USB drive and re-insert it through those steps:
Step 1. Remove USB drive from your computer and exit from the “where do you want to install Windows” window.
Step 2. Then, you’ll be navigated to the main interface of Windows installation. Click “Install Now” and then you’ll be prompted by a message saying that “A required CD/DVD drive device driver is missing…”. Click “OK” on the “Load Driver” window and click “Close” button to return to the main interface again.
Step 3. Plug the Windows Setup USB drive into your PC; click “Install Now” and try to install Windows on your SSD or HDD again.
Note: You can insert the USB in another port to see whether the issue is resolved.
If solution 1 isn’t working, you can change SATA controller mode in BIOS as incorrect SATA controller mode also can be the reason for “Setup was unable to create a new system partitions or locate an existing system partition”. Detailed steps are given below:
Step 1. Reboot PC and press a functional key (F2, F12, or Esc) to enter BIOS.
Step 2. Go to “Advanced” (“Main” or “Integrated Peripherals”) > “Storage Configuration” (“Drive Configuration” or “IDE Configuration”).
Step 3. Choose “Configure SATA as”; hit “Enter” key; choose “IDE” under “Options” and click “Enter”.
Step 4. Press “Esc” key to go back to the main menu and press F10 to save changes and exit from BIOS.
After that, try to install Windows on your hard drive again.
Note: If the destination disk is SSD, it’s advised to switch mode back to AHCI for better SSD performance.
You may have set the USB drive as the first boot device before Windows installation, which can cause “Setup was unable to create a new system partition” error. In such a condition, try to set the disk where operating system will be installed as the first boot device in BIOS. Then, boot from the setup USB drive and install Windows again.
Or you can create the system partition manually by copying installation files from your USB drive to your device to which you install OS. Here are the detailed steps:
Step 1. Boot from the setup USB drive, press F10 + Shift to access Command Prompt.
Step 2. In Command Prompt interface, input “diskpart” and hit Enter to run Diskpart.
Step 3. Run commands as follows:
list disk –show all disks on your PC
select disk 0 – choose your target disk
clean - all data on disk 0 will be erased.
create partition primary size=x – x is the size of the new partition
format fs=ntfs quick - the partition will be formatted as NTFS
assign – assign drive letter to the partition
active –to set the partition as active.
exit – to exit from Diskpart
Step 4. Now, go to the setup USB drive by running command “cd: d” d is the drive letter of the USB drive.
Step 5. Type “cd boot” and hit “Enter” key to navigate to boot folder.
Step 6. Input “bootsect /nt60 c:” to make the newly created partition bootable.
Step 7. Remove the USB drive from your PC; restart your computer and enter Windows setup and install Windows step-by-step.
Step 8. After complete Windows installation on your target device, boot computer from it.
Step 9. In the Search box, input “CMD”, right-click it among listed results, and choose “Run as administrator”.
Step 10. In the CMD window, type “list bcdedit” and hit Enter.
Step 11. In the listed content, locate Windows Setup and copy identifier.
Step 12. Input “bcdedit /delete {identifier}” to run unnecessary menu item from boot screen.
In fact, it’s a lit bit complicated to install Windows from scratch. And it’s fairly bothering to encounter issues like “Windows was unable to create new system partition”. When you need to replace your current system hard drive with another one, to install Windows on your new hard drive without any effort, you can turn to AOMEI Partition Assistant Professional. It enables you to clone OS partitions only from old hard drive to new SSD or HDD without reinstalling. What’s more, it supports you to transfer all data from one disk to another. Now, let’s see how to use the software to migrate OS to another drive.
Note: It’s available to download the demo version of AOMEI Partition Assistant Professional and have a try!
Step 1. Install and run the software and click “Migrate OS to SSD”. 
Step 2. Choose an unallocated space on your destination drive.
PS.: If there is no unallocated space, check “I want to deleted all…”, which will delete all partition on the target disk and cause data loss.
Step 3. Here you can resize the partition being created on the new hard drive and then click “Next”.
Step 4. Keep the note about how to boot OS in mind and click “Finish”.
Step 5. You’ll get back to the main interface; click “Apply” to commit the pending operation.
Notes:
This software can work with Windows 10, 8, 7, XP, and Vista. It is featured with many other charming functions, like recovering lost partition, rebuilding MBR, etc.
To install this app on an unlimited number of computers within one company to save money, you can try AOMEI Partition Assistant Unlimited.
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