How to add Windows 7 Professional to an SSD.

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callum118

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Jul 26, 2014
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I have an OEM copy of Windows 7 Professional, so used a third party in order to download a clean, retail copy of the OS as Microsoft doesn't let you download the OS from them.

After using WinISO to put the files on a bootable disk, I unplugged my primary hard drive and inserted the disc. I complete the steps in order to install the OS on my SSD and am greeted by the following message:

"Windows cannot be installed on this disk. The selected disk is of the GPT partition style."

How do I resolve this?

Thanks.

 
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Rookie_MIB

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Jul 27, 2013
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Here's the reference article which describes your problems and it has to do with Windows OS type (32/64bit) and UEFI/BIOS types and GPT/MBR compatibility:

https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/kb/2581408

The gist of it is:

Regular BIOS + MBR - supported. (32/64bit)
UEFI + GPT - supported (64bit ONLY!!!)
Regular BIOS + GPT - NO.
UEFI + MBR - NO

So - they've tied an MBR requirement to the 'older' BIOS system, and GPT is now required on UEFI systems along with a requirement for 64bit Windows 7.

I'm assuming that since you're installing to an SSD, and it was a GPT formatted disk, you're using a UEFI based system and the original system was a 64bit Windows 7. Did you download the 32bit installation? If so, UEFI + 32bit installation is NOT supported and you'll have to download and burn the 64bit Windows 7.

You -might- be able to change the settings in the BIOS to boot in BIOS mode (might be labeled as 'legacy BIOS' somewhere?). If so - it might work when booting a 32bit Windows 7.

So you need to figure out what's going on.

1) which Win7 are you installing? 32bit or 64bit?
2) Is your BIOS a 'regular' bios system or a UEFI based system?
 
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callum118

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Jul 26, 2014
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Hi, thanks for the reply.

I'm installing the 64bit version, which is the same version in my HDD.

Also, had a check on that and am a bit unsure...

I looked into the BIOS and found these options:

"Storage Boot Option Control"

- Disabled
- UEFI Only
- Legacy Only <---- This one is selected
- Legacy First
- UEFI First

"Boot Mode Selection"

- UEFI and Legacy <---- This one is selected.
- Legacy Only
- UEFI Only

Thanks.
 
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