Windows 8.1 upgrade

garytonsley

New Member
Messages
2
Hi,

I have just purchased a new desktop computer.

It came with Windows 7 installed, but a disc to upgrade to Windows 8.1.

I followed the instructions to upgrade to Windows 8.1 and everything went fine until I hit the following error message [see images below].

Any ideas?

Thanks.

Gary
Picture 1.jpgPicture 2.jpg
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 7
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
if you are trying to upgrade from windows 7 to windows 8.1 > boot into windows 7 and then run the windows 8.1 setup.exe
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 3.1 > Windows 10
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Dell XPS 8700
    CPU
    I7
    Memory
    24 GB
Thank you for your reply, but I have tried that and it simply fails to install and then boots back to Windows 7.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 7
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
Thank you for your reply, but I have tried that and it simply fails to install and then boots back to Windows 7.
Well this it seems that your have a UEFI GPT Windows 8.1 DVD and your system is BIOS MBR. So you will need to Clean Install your windows 8.1.
You'll need to got to the Support website for your computer and download the latest 8.1 hardware drivers for you computer. Then use the tutorial to install UEFI.
KYHI I can't find the best tutorial for this do you know which one it is?
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro MC
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Asus G75VW / Z97 Pro
    CPU
    Intel Core i7-3610QM / I7-4790K
    Motherboard
    Z97 Pro
    Memory
    16 GB Hyundai HTM315156CFR8C-PB PC3-12800
    Graphics Card(s)
    nVIDIA GeForce GTX 670M (GF114M)
    Sound Card
    VIA 6.0.10.1600
    Screen Resolution
    1080
    Hard Drives
    Samsung 850 Pro 256, Samsung 850 Pro 1TB
    Internet Speed
    30 down 3 up
    Browser
    Explorer 11
    Antivirus
    NIS and Malwarebytes
Quote from this post: UEFI Boot Mode (installing using the GPT partition style) and Legacy BIOS Boot Mode (installing using the MBR partition style). -> link

Tip   Tip
Error message when you boot from the Windows installation media in Legacy BIOS Boot Mode:

Windows cannot be installed to this disk. The selected disk is of the GPT partition style. (see screenshot below)

That is because Windows can only be installed to MBR disk in Legacy BIOS Boot Mode, but you plan to install Windows on a GPT disk.

- Boot from the Windows installation media in UEFI Boot Mode, so you can use GPT (GUID Partition Table).
- But if you want to use MBR (Master Boot Record) partition table, then delete all partitions on the disk.

Windows cannot be installed to this disk. The selected disk is of the GPT partition style.png

Error message when you boot from the Windows installation media in UEFI Boot Mode:

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 screenshot below)

That is because Windows can only be installed to GPT disk in UEFI Boot Mode, but you plan to install Windows on an MBR disk.

- Delete all partitions on the disk, so you can use GPT (GUID Partition Table).
- But if you want to use MBR (Master Boot Record) partition table, then boot from the Windows installation media in Legacy BIOS Boot Mode.

Windows cannot be installed on this disk. The selected disk has an MBR partition table.png
 
Last edited:

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 10
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Lenovo G580
    CPU
    Intel Core i5-3230M
    Memory
    8 GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel HD Graphics 4000
    Browser
    Microsoft Edge
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender, standard user account
    Other Info
    UEFI firmware (BIOS) embedded Windows 8 product key.
not sure where you got the "disk" but you can download and create new windows 8.1 setup media > Create installation media for Windows 8.1 - Windows Help

do not boot from the media (clean install) but rather just run setup.exe from the media..

your system should already be booted into windows 7 - so you should not even be getting that error..

Also if your present system is 32bit (x86) you need to use 32bit (x86) windows 8.1 to upgrade from 7 to 8.1

you can not upgrade from 32bit x86 to 64bit x64 windows OS without doing a clean install..
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 3.1 > Windows 10
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Dell XPS 8700
    CPU
    I7
    Memory
    24 GB
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