Clean Windows 10 Install on UEFI

Toggle sidebar Toggle sidebar
fastoy

fastoy

Distinguished
Sep 8, 2010
24
0
18,510
I'm building a Windows 10 Pro 64-bit system on an Asus desktop with UEFI. I want to install the OS on a new SSD. My first attempt resulted in an MBR partition. I have backed up my new Windows installation using the Windows System Image backup.

I know I need to get the new SSD to GPT with an ESP. I have a USB drive with the ISO from Microsoft's Media Creation Tool.

How do I get the new SSD drive into GPT/ESP mode? Then will I be able to restore the backup to the SSD drive?
 
Solution
saywhut
To convert it to GPT is very simple.

-Boot up to your installation disk
-Go to the partition section
-Once you have made note of the volume you want to install Windows on, open up command line to launch DISKPART
-Press Shift + F10 to open up the command line.
-When the command line is open, type in "diskpart"
-The diskpart console opens, then type in "list disk"
-You want to select the disk where you will install windows by typing "select disk #" where # is your disk where you will install Windows
-Then type in "convert gpt"
-Voila you should be good to go

Let us know how it goes.
Sort by date Sort by votes
detroitwillfall

detroitwillfall

Reputable
Sep 27, 2014
519
0
5,060


if i recall from doing win 7 installs, you should be able to pull up cmd during the first part of the install cd parts and manually convert to gpt and put in the partition parameters
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
saywhut

saywhut

Honorable
Sep 11, 2014
342
0
10,960
To convert it to GPT is very simple.

-Boot up to your installation disk
-Go to the partition section
-Once you have made note of the volume you want to install Windows on, open up command line to launch DISKPART
-Press Shift + F10 to open up the command line.
-When the command line is open, type in "diskpart"
-The diskpart console opens, then type in "list disk"
-You want to select the disk where you will install windows by typing "select disk #" where # is your disk where you will install Windows
-Then type in "convert gpt"
-Voila you should be good to go

Let us know how it goes.
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
Solution
fastoy

fastoy

Distinguished
Sep 8, 2010
24
0
18,510

I don't think just getting to GPT will do it. I have run diskpart from the installation USB and created an ESP partition but the UEFI BIOS still won't boot from it. And the ESP is now in the middle of the SSD with unused space after it.

Maybe I still need to convert it to GPT. I'm still very confused over all of this.

I think I'd rather wipe the new SSD. Do to it whatever I need to it and then restore my installation partition.
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
saywhut

saywhut

Honorable
Sep 11, 2014
342
0
10,960
Don't worry about the EFI/ESP partition, that gets created once you install Windows on the disk.

Run DISKPART from the steps I outlined once you boot to the USB, and convert the partition table to GPT, that's the big one you have to do.
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
fastoy

fastoy

Distinguished
Sep 8, 2010
24
0
18,510

Do I need to boot the installation media in UEFI mode? I'm not sure how to do that on the Asus. F8 gets me to a boot menu but I don't see a choice for UEFI. I created the media from "Let Microsoft do it for you" on https://www.thurrott.com/windows/windows-10/5162/windows-10-tip-create-windows-10-setup-media-the-right-way

Sounds like I need to reinstall Windows? Wonder if I could reinstall (to get the ESP) then restore from my backup. I'm not very far down the road so starting over isn't the worst thing.
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
saywhut

saywhut

Honorable
Sep 11, 2014
342
0
10,960


Ok, a few things here.

If your backup (meaning a whole OS backup) was not under UEFI, you will not be able to restore under UEFI mode, only the legacy/BIOS mode. This is because when you install an OS under UEFI, it makes an EFI partition to boot from, which the old legacy/BIOS mode does not have.

To make sure you're in UEFI mode, you have to go into the BIOS itself (I think it's delete), and make sure the BIOS mode is set to UEFI.

Once you have UEFI selected in the BIOS, boot to your USB key, do the DISKPART commands to change the partition table to GPT, then install.
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
fastoy

fastoy

Distinguished
Sep 8, 2010
24
0
18,510
Thanks. Whew!

I believe I did the installation in UEFI mode because the PC is booting from the ESP on the original boot drive. So maybe my system backup is good. No big deal. I can reinstall.

I didn't even discover this until I tried to create a Storage Space using the original boot drive and it wouldn't let me use it.

I think I'm going to unplug the original boot drive, clean the new SSD and start over.

Thanks for sticking with me through this.
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
fastoy

fastoy

Distinguished
Sep 8, 2010
24
0
18,510
I booted the installation media, Shift+F10 to get a command prompt, then with diskpart cleaned all the drives (wiping ALL the data), converted the SSD to GPT, reinstalled and all is well. I was expecting to reinstall.

Now on to Storage Spaces.

Thanks!

 
Upvote 0 Downvote
detroitwillfall

detroitwillfall

Reputable
Sep 27, 2014
519
0
5,060


so for ssd OS files gpt then for storage on mechanical 1tb drive use gpt as well?

also if i remember the last time i configd the drives ahci prefered and thats for the ssd and the mechnical?
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
saywhut

saywhut

Honorable
Sep 11, 2014
342
0
10,960
Yes, SATA operation to AHCI if you're not doing any on-board RAID or anything of that manner.

If you're using a secondary drive for data, it doesn't matter if you have MBR/GPT as long as it's below 2tb. Above 2TB, use GPT.
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
detroitwillfall

detroitwillfall

Reputable
Sep 27, 2014
519
0
5,060


yeah no raid, ill just leave em both at gpt. makes it easy to remember. lol
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
You must log in or register to reply here.

TRENDING THREADS

Latest posts

Moderators online

Share this page

COMPANY
RESOURCES
FOLLOW
Top Bottom