Unable to boot dual os in win 8.1

skyemaverick

New Member
Messages
8
I've been using lenovo y50-70 laptop for some time with pre installed windows 8.1 in it.due to my project compatibility i need windows 7 os to support some software . i tried to dual boot in my laptop when i tried to install windows 7.it says"windows cannot be installed in this disk due to GPT partition " .
i've tried to install the os in separate partition only.ive also tried every method such as cmd ,partition master too .now icouldnt able to install os help me
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    windows 8.1 single language x64

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    8.1x64PWMC Ubuntu14.04x64 MintMate17x64
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Home Brewed
    CPU
    I7 4970K OC'ed @4.7 GHz
    Motherboard
    MSI-Z97
    Memory
    16 GB G-Skill Trident X @2400MHZ
    Graphics Card(s)
    NVIDIA GeForce GTS 450
    Sound Card
    X-Fi Titanium Fatal1ty Professional Series
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Dual HP-W2408
    Screen Resolution
    1920X1200
    Hard Drives
    256 GB M2 sm951, (2) 500GB 850EVO, 5TB, 2 TB Seagate
    PSU
    Antec 850W
    Case
    Antec 1200
    Cooling
    Danger Den H20
    Keyboard
    Logitech
    Mouse
    Logitech Performance Mouse MX
    Internet Speed
    35/12mbps
    Browser
    Firefox

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    windows 8.1 single language x64
Since it is a Laptop. The easiest way for dual boot 7 & 8 is to re-install 8 using MBR style partition then you can install 7. For desktop it is easier, most BIOS support both UEFI&MBR installation but you have to install in another HD with MBR partition style.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    8.1x64PWMC Ubuntu14.04x64 MintMate17x64
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Home Brewed
    CPU
    I7 4970K OC'ed @4.7 GHz
    Motherboard
    MSI-Z97
    Memory
    16 GB G-Skill Trident X @2400MHZ
    Graphics Card(s)
    NVIDIA GeForce GTS 450
    Sound Card
    X-Fi Titanium Fatal1ty Professional Series
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Dual HP-W2408
    Screen Resolution
    1920X1200
    Hard Drives
    256 GB M2 sm951, (2) 500GB 850EVO, 5TB, 2 TB Seagate
    PSU
    Antec 850W
    Case
    Antec 1200
    Cooling
    Danger Den H20
    Keyboard
    Logitech
    Mouse
    Logitech Performance Mouse MX
    Internet Speed
    35/12mbps
    Browser
    Firefox
Since it is a Laptop. The easiest way for dual boot 7 & 8 is to re-install 8 using MBR style partition then you can install 7. For desktop it is easier, most BIOS support both UEFI&MBR installation but you have to install in another HD with MBR partition style.
there is no space to install new drive with mbr partition style
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    windows 8.1 single language x64
Try to delete UEFI: Disable UEFI Secure Boot Windows 8.1 - AvoidErrors . But make an image first in case something happens.

And I don't understand your VMware Player performance problem. I run 6 systems under VMware Player and from an external SSD. Performance has never been a problem.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Vista and Win7
    System Manufacturer/Model
    2xHP, 2xGateway, 1xDell, 1xSony
    Hard Drives
    5 SSDs and 12 HDs
Since it is a Laptop. The easiest way for dual boot 7 & 8 is to re-install 8 using MBR style partition then you can install 7. For desktop it is easier, most BIOS support both UEFI&MBR installation but you have to install in another HD with MBR partition style.
i'm using Lenovo Y 50-70 UHD series Laptop
there is no extra compartment space to install new drive in the laptop
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    windows 8.1 single language x64
Since it is a Laptop. The easiest way for dual boot 7 & 8 is to re-install 8 using MBR style partition then you can install 7. For desktop it is easier, most BIOS support both UEFI&MBR installation but you have to install in another HD with MBR partition style.
i'm using Lenovo Y 50-70 UHD series Laptop
there is no extra compartment space to install new drive in the laptop
That's why I think it is easier to re-install Windows 8.1 using MBR style. You can download Windows 8.1 ISO from this link:
Create installation media for Windows 8.1 - Windows Help
And select your version of Windows as shown below and put it in a USB stick using: Rufus - Create bootable USB :
2015-04-28_11-09-05.jpg

The product Key is embeded in the Laptop BIOS and will activate Windows during the installation.
NOTE: Make sure you set your BIOS to Legacy MBR. and as suggested above, make a backup image of your current system first using: Macrium Reflect Free
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    8.1x64PWMC Ubuntu14.04x64 MintMate17x64
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Home Brewed
    CPU
    I7 4970K OC'ed @4.7 GHz
    Motherboard
    MSI-Z97
    Memory
    16 GB G-Skill Trident X @2400MHZ
    Graphics Card(s)
    NVIDIA GeForce GTS 450
    Sound Card
    X-Fi Titanium Fatal1ty Professional Series
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Dual HP-W2408
    Screen Resolution
    1920X1200
    Hard Drives
    256 GB M2 sm951, (2) 500GB 850EVO, 5TB, 2 TB Seagate
    PSU
    Antec 850W
    Case
    Antec 1200
    Cooling
    Danger Den H20
    Keyboard
    Logitech
    Mouse
    Logitech Performance Mouse MX
    Internet Speed
    35/12mbps
    Browser
    Firefox
Since it is a Laptop. The easiest way for dual boot 7 & 8 is to re-install 8 using MBR style partition then you can install 7. For desktop it is easier, most BIOS support both UEFI&MBR installation but you have to install in another HD with MBR partition style.
i'm using Lenovo Y 50-70 UHD series Laptop
there is no extra compartment space to install new drive in the laptop
That's why I think it is easier to re-install Windows 8.1 using MBR style. You can download Windows 8.1 ISO from this link:
Create installation media for Windows 8.1 - Windows Help
And select your version of Windows as shown below and put it in a USB stick using: Rufus - Create bootable USB :
View attachment 60945

The product Key is embeded in the Laptop BIOS and will activate Windows during the installation.
NOTE: Make sure you set your BIOS to Legacy MBR. and as suggested above, make a backup image of your current system first using: Macrium Reflect Free

how to set my BIOS to legacy MBR

how to get my os product key.
after formatting can i reinstall the backup os too
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    windows 8.1 single language x64
i tried to dual boot in my laptop when i tried to install windows 7. it says "windows cannot be installed in this disk due to GPT partition " .

Boot from the Windows installation media in UEFI Boot Mode, so you can use GPT (GUID Partition Table).

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.
i tried to dual boot in my laptop when i tried to install windows 7. it says "windows cannot be installed in this disk due to GPT partition " .

Boot in UEFI Boot Mode, so you can use GPT (GUID Partition Table).

Quote from this post:

Error message when you boot in Legacy BIOS Boot Mode: Windows cannot be installed to this disk. The selected disk is of the GPT partition style.

- Boot 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.

44184d1391019792-clean-installs-new-ssds-getting-8-0-8-1-a-windows-cannot-installed-disk.-selected-disk-gpt-partition-style.png


Error message when you boot in UEFI Boot Mode: Windows cannot be installed on this disk. The selected disk has an MBR partition table. On EFI systems, Windows can only be installed to GPT disks.

- 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 in Legacy BIOS Boot Mode.

44185d1391019761-clean-installs-new-ssds-getting-8-0-8-1-a-windows-cannot-installed-disk.-selected-disk-has-mbr-partition-table.png

2. How to create UEFI Boot Mode compatible Windows 7/8 64-bit USB flash drive, which is only bootable in UEFI Boot Mode.

- Download and run the Rufus program.
- Connect your USB flash drive.
- Click on the browse icon and select your Windows 7/8 64-bit ISO image file.
- Under Partition scheme and target system type, select GPT partition scheme for UEFI computer.
- Under File system, select FAT32.
- The default Cluster size setting is automatically detected, so do not change the setting.
- Click on Start button.

52834d1413891534-clean-installs-new-ssds-getting-8-0-8-1-a-rufus-uefi-boot-mode-compatible-usb-flash-drive.png

how to find my windows 8.1 single language product key ?????/

i need windows 8.1 product key to download backup copy from Microsoft site.since I've original os not the pirated one
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    windows 8.1 single language x64
There is no need to install Windows 8.1 on your machine, because you can install Windows 7 64-bit in UEFI boot mode.

Here is info about UEFI Boot Mode (installing using the GPT partition style) and Legacy BIOS Boot Mode (installing using the MBR partition style): link

If you have an OEM PC that came with Windows 8/8.1 64-bit preinstalled and you want to install Windows 7 64-bit, then you must disable Secure Boot, because Secure Boot is not compatible with Windows 7.
 

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.
The Product Key is embedded in the BIOS of your Laptop. Windows installation will read and activate it.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    8.1x64PWMC Ubuntu14.04x64 MintMate17x64
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Home Brewed
    CPU
    I7 4970K OC'ed @4.7 GHz
    Motherboard
    MSI-Z97
    Memory
    16 GB G-Skill Trident X @2400MHZ
    Graphics Card(s)
    NVIDIA GeForce GTS 450
    Sound Card
    X-Fi Titanium Fatal1ty Professional Series
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Dual HP-W2408
    Screen Resolution
    1920X1200
    Hard Drives
    256 GB M2 sm951, (2) 500GB 850EVO, 5TB, 2 TB Seagate
    PSU
    Antec 850W
    Case
    Antec 1200
    Cooling
    Danger Den H20
    Keyboard
    Logitech
    Mouse
    Logitech Performance Mouse MX
    Internet Speed
    35/12mbps
    Browser
    Firefox
i tried to dual boot in my laptop when i tried to install windows 7. it says "windows cannot be installed in this disk due to GPT partition " .

Boot in UEFI Boot Mode, so you can use GPT (GUID Partition Table).

Quote from this post:

Error message when you boot in Legacy BIOS Boot Mode: Windows cannot be installed to this disk. The selected disk is of the GPT partition style.

- Boot 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.

44184d1391019792-clean-installs-new-ssds-getting-8-0-8-1-a-windows-cannot-installed-disk.-selected-disk-gpt-partition-style.png


Error message when you boot in UEFI Boot Mode: Windows cannot be installed on this disk. The selected disk has an MBR partition table. On EFI systems, Windows can only be installed to GPT disks.

- 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 in Legacy BIOS Boot Mode.

44185d1391019761-clean-installs-new-ssds-getting-8-0-8-1-a-windows-cannot-installed-disk.-selected-disk-has-mbr-partition-table.png

2. How to create UEFI Boot Mode compatible Windows 7/8 64-bit USB flash drive, which is only bootable in UEFI Boot Mode.

- Download and run the Rufus program.
- Connect your USB flash drive.
- Click on the browse icon and select your Windows 7/8 64-bit ISO image file.
- Under Partition scheme and target system type, select GPT partition scheme for UEFI computer.
- Under File system, select FAT32.
- The default Cluster size setting is automatically detected, so do not change the setting.
- Click on Start button.

52834d1413891534-clean-installs-new-ssds-getting-8-0-8-1-a-rufus-uefi-boot-mode-compatible-usb-flash-drive.png


when i enter my product key it shows as
 
Last edited:

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    windows 8.1 single language x64
First, try to install Windows 7 64-bit in UEFI boot mode.

edit:

If Windows 7 64-bit installation does not succeed in UEFI boot mode, then clean install Windows 8.1 Single Language and Windows 7 in Legacy BIOS boot mode.

How to download and clean install Windows 8.1 if you have an OEM computer with UEFI firmware (BIOS) embedded Windows 8/8.1 product key. -> link

edit:

Lenovo UEFI firmware (BIOS) settings, when you install Windows 7 and Windows 8 in Legacy BIOS boot mode.
- Exit; OS Optimized Defaults: Other OS (default is Win8 64bit)
- Boot; Boot Mode: Legacy Support (default is UEFI)
- Security; Secure Boot: Disabled (default is Enabled)
 

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.
If that is a valid product key, I would not display it here where the whole world can pick it.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Vista and Win7
    System Manufacturer/Model
    2xHP, 2xGateway, 1xDell, 1xSony
    Hard Drives
    5 SSDs and 12 HDs
First, try to install Windows 7 64-bit in UEFI boot mode.

edit:

If Windows 7 64-bit installation does not succeed in UEFI boot mode, then clean install Windows 8.1 Single Language and Windows 7 in Legacy BIOS boot mode.

How to download and clean install Windows 8.1 if you have an OEM computer with UEFI firmware (BIOS) embedded Windows 8/8.1 product key. -> link

edit:

Lenovo UEFI firmware (BIOS) settings, when you install Windows 7 and Windows 8 in Legacy BIOS boot mode.
- Exit; OS Optimized Defaults: Other OS (default is Win8 64bit)
- Boot; Boot Mode: Legacy Support (default is UEFI)
- Security; Secure Boot: Disabled (default is Enabled)

Yes I agree with genet, you just need to install window 7 in UEFI to do this you need a Windows 7 SP1 64bit. Versions earlier than SP1 do not support UEFI.

If you going to run Win 8.1 in MBR you might be just as well off to just run Window 7
 

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
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