When Installing Windows 7 or 8.1 using a USB stick - get message "cannot be installed, this is a GPT

[BradD]

Hi,

When Installing Windows 7 or 8.1 using a USB stick - get message "cannot be installed, this is a GPT partition"

I have 64 bit install disks for Win 7 and Win 8.1. These both install fine on my desktop in duel boot. I made a USB stick from each of the disks so that I could install faster.

Problem: I get the cannot install as this is a GPT partition.

Is there any way to make these 2 USB sticks work?

Thanks, Brad

[lasvegaswireman]

When requesting assistance, please provide the complete model name and/or product number of the HP computer in question. HP/Compaq makes thousands of models of computers. Without this information it may be difficult or impossible to assist you in resolving your issue.

The above requested information can be found on the side, back, or bottom of your computer, or on the startup BIOS screen. Please see How Do I Find My Model Number or Product Number? for more assistance locating this information. DO NOT include your serial number.

Basically, the message means the hard disk on your computer is GPT partitioned and the OS istallation media was booted as a non-UEFI boot source or the USB thumb drive weren't created as a valid UEFI boot source.

If you have any further questions, please don't hesitate to ask.

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[BradD]

Thanks for your response, I am sorry to have taken this long to react to it. My Computer is an HP Envy 750 -060QE DT.

What I still need to know is how to use this thumb drive to install a new operation system when I get this message about the GPT partition. There must be a way, as I have a thumb drive from Microsoft for Windows 10 and it does not bump in to the GPT issue, it just starts right off installing. How can I create drives for windows 7 and 8.1 that will do the same thing?

Please give me any direction that you can relating to this this.

Thanks, Brad 

[lasvegaswireman · Accepted solution]

Make sure you create your HP Recovery Discs or USB Flash Recovery media before modifying or changing ANYTHING.

Your computer doesn't include Microsoft Downgrade Rights and you must purchase a copy of Windows 7 with a valid Microsoft COA and product key.

The screen shots below are from an HP 15t-j100 notebook computer... the options and configuration screens on your computer may differ.

You will need to DISABLE "Secure Boot" and ENABLE "Legacy Support" in the "BIOS Secure Boot configuration" on the settings page similar to what is shown below, before you can attempt to install Windows 7;

After saving the changes, the computer will request that you confirm the changes... Accept the changes by typing the four digit code and pressing the "ENTER" key.

If are you are installing Windows 7 from a USB stick and see a "Load Driver - a required CD/DVD drive device is missing" message, this is because "System Configuration" > "USB3.0 Config in Pre-Boot" is set to "Enabled". This must be set to "Auto".

Additionally, as the factory hard drive is partitioned as GPT, you must boot using the UEFI-Internal CD/DVD or UEFI-USB Key/Drive to install Windows on a GPT partitioned disk. Turn on or reboot the computer and tap "F9" or "ESC" and then "F9" when prompted. Highlight the UEFI boot source you are using and press "ENTER".

I suggest using Windows 7 SP1 for the best intallation experience. If the DVD refuses to boot as UEFI, you may need to use a USB Flash drive (may require DISABLING "Fast Boot" in the BIOS) as the installation media. Please note that some computers may not recognize a valid UEFI enabled USB Flash drive if it is formated as NTFS and may require a FAT32 formatted USB Flash drive. You should be able to make a FAT32 formatted Windows 7 installation USB Flash drive using Rufus, UNetbootin, Universal USB Installer, or WiNToBootic. I like Rufus, as it has options for "GPT partition scheme for UEFI computer" and "FAT32".

If you have any further questions, please don't hesitate to ask.

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[BradD]

 Well thank you very much LV Wireman. Your suggestions really seem to have done the trick. Using Rufus did the job

when I used the settings for "GPT partition scheme for UEFI computer" and "FAT32". The first time around I set Rufus

for "at Fat 32 and Fat 32 for UEFI which did not work. but the 2nd time using the underlined settings, my F9 boot

selection key showed my USB drive under the UEIF in the bios and that is all it took. Many thanks again, and also for

the help you gave me 2 years getting a new HP laptop to take multi boot with windows 7.

Boy, you sure know your way around personal computers

Brad