By Catherine / Last Updated August 19, 2019

The full description of this error message is "Windows cannot be installed to this disk. The selected disk has an MBR partition table. On EFI systems, Windows can only be installed to GPT disks" (see picture below).

The Selected Disk Has an MBR Partition Table. On EFI Systems...


When Will the Error Message Comes?

As seen above, this error message comes when you install Windows. As a computer fan, I often see posts about this question from computer forum. Here are some typical extracts.

  • I have been trying real hard to install Windows 8 on my Macbook. I followed the instruction given by BootCamp, all things went smoothly until I was asked Windows Setup Installed to select the hard drive. Then comes the error: “Windows cannot be installed to this disk 0. The selected disk has an MBR partition table. On EFI system, Windows can only be installed on GPT disks.” What should I do?

  • I’m getting the following error when trying to install Windows from a USB. “Windows cannot be installed to this disk. The selected disk has an MBR partition table. On EFI systems, windows can only be installed to GPT disks.”...

  • When trying to install Windows 7 64-bit form using an Intel motherboard. I get the error message “The selected disk has an MBR partition table. On EFI systems, Windows can only be installed to GPT disks.”...

  • I'm trying to do a clean install on Windows 7 64-bit on my laptop. I currently have 32-bit Vista running. I initially created a new partition, copied all my data there, then started to do the custom install. I got the message: “Windows cannot be installed to this disk. The selected disk has an MBR partition table. On EFI systems, Windows can only be installed to GPT disks”...


The Easiest Way to Solve the Problem

Now we know the error message comes in these situations, and then what's the solution? There are many ways to solve the problem, but the most direct way is converting MBR to GPT disk, as it mentioned “Windows can only be installed to GPT disks”. So now I recommend you the easiest way to convert MBR to GPT - with AOMEI Partition Assistant Professional and its function "Convert MBR to GPT".

Convert to GPT disk


When you select the disk to convert to GPT, the following are only several steps, and every steps with guidance.The practical steps please visit Convert GPT to MBR or MBR to GPT.

More About AOMEI Partition Assistant Professional

AOMEI Partition Assistant Professional is a good partition converter. Besides converting between MBR and GPT, it can also convert FAT/FAT 32 to NTFS, convert primary to logical partition. Migrate OS to SDD and Windows To Go Creator are two bright functions of it.

The former helps you move operating system from old hard disk to new hard disk or SSD quickly without reinstall Windows operating system. The latter helps you make a portable Windows 8 that you no longer need to buy Windows 8 Enterprise Edition.