How to Fix “Could Not Create a New Partition or Locate an Existing One” Error When Installing Windows

During a Windows installation, you might encounter the error message “Could not create a new partition or locate an existing one.” This typically means the installer can't identify a suitable location for Windows installation. Let’s go over some effective ways to resolve this issue.

Check the Hard Drive Connection

Before troubleshooting, ensure the hard drive is properly connected. A loose or poor connection can prevent the installer from detecting the drive. Try reconnecting the drive and restarting your computer.

Using Command Prompt

If the issue persists, you can use the command prompt to manually set up partitions:

  1. Open the command prompt from the Windows installation media by pressing Shift + F10.
  2. Type diskpart and press Enter.
  3. Enter list disk to view all connected drives.
  4. Select your drive by typing select disk X (where X is your drive number).
  5. Clear the disk by typing clean.
  6. Create a new partition using create partition primary and format it with format fs=ntfs quick.
  7. Close the command prompt and attempt the installation again.

Check BIOS Mode: Legacy or UEFI

Sometimes the issue lies in the BIOS boot mode. Check whether your BIOS is set to UEFI or Legacy mode. Installing on MBR-partitioned disks requires Legacy, while GPT-partitioned disks require UEFI.

Change the Disk Partition Style: MBR or GPT

Windows may require a different partition style for installation. For example, if your BIOS is set to UEFI, but the disk is partitioned as MBR, this may cause issues. To resolve:

  1. Open diskpart in the command prompt as described above.
  2. Clear the disk using clean.
  3. Set the required partition format:
    • For MBR: convert mbr
    • For GPT: convert gpt

Check and Change Boot Order

In some cases, BIOS may attempt to boot from an incorrect device, causing this error. Go into your BIOS settings and confirm that the installation media (USB or DVD) is set as the boot priority.

Using Third-Party Partitioning Tools

If the issue continues, consider using third-party tools like AOMEI Partition Assistant or MiniTool Partition Wizard. These tools allow you to easily format the drive and set the partition style (MBR or GPT) before starting the Windows installation.