Windows – Can’t install Windows 10 on SSD

ssdwindows 10

I'm running into trouble while upgrading my PC.

I've purchased and installed these products today:

Gigabyte GA-B150M-D3H
Crucial DDR4 Ballistix Sport 2x8GB 2400 CL16
Intel Core i5 6400
Scythe Mugen 4
Samsung 850 EVO 500GB

I installed them, booted up and everything worked fine. I was working from a clean windows 10 install (last summer I upgraded from Windows 7, then did a clean install). Because I wanted the Windows 10 install on my SSD, I used the same disc I used before, went on to install and I get this message (translated from dutch):

Can't install windows on this disk. The hardware might not support booting up from this disk. Make sure the disk controller is turned on in the BIOS menu.

When I click more info I get this (also translated):
We can't make a new system partition of find an existing system partition. Read the log files from Setup for more information.

I've googled this and looked through some guides on installing Windows 10 on a SSD.

I've used Shift + F10 to open command prompt. With the diskpart commands I've cleaned, converted to MBR and back to GPT, I've reformatted to NTFS. At some point when the SSD was just unallocated space, I pressed 'new' and it made the 4 partitions that it should with a GPT system. I selected primary and installed Windows. The installation finishes without a problem, the system reboots and then I get a black screen with the message 'reboot and select proper boot device or insert boot media in selected boot device and press a key'.

After reinstalling windows once more and retrying many times I've also encountered a blue screen with a header: "Recovery" Your PC/Device needs to be recovered. Can not launch the OS because a needed file is missing or corrupted. File: \Windows\System32\winload.efi Errorcode: 0xc0000225.

I've googled both messages and the error code. I can not find a solution. I'm really hoping somebody can give me a hand. I've tried reinstalling windows to my normal HDD. I get the same problems now. No idea why. I ended up getting an old HDD from a mediaplayer, installed windows on that, and there's no problem (so it's not the install files).

If anybody has any idea's I would love to hear them. I'm all out…

Best Answer

The first thing to do is to make sure that the SSD is attached correctly, with all cables plugged in properly.

The second thing you need to do is make sure that The SSD is in AHCI mode and not IDE mode. This one catches most people out. Windows 10 is extremely picky about HDD/SSD modes. You can adjust this in the BIOS.

Third thing is to check the media. This step is crucial, as some Windows media can become corrupt and refuse to use a SSD.

From a working Windows install, visit this page Windows 10 Media Creation Tool

Download the tool and create proper media. Since you've upgraded once already, you can use the Windows 10 media to install and skip the product key, as your system should already be authorized by MS.

Windows 10 Skip Product Key

That should allow Windows to install. Install it as per usual, and you should be golden

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