Windows could not prepare the computer to boot into the next phase of installation

-setupinstallationpartitioningwindowswindows 10

Nota Bene: Not a duplicate! I've checked the following questions and didn't find the working solution.

Nota Bene 2: I've got a lot more details. Check them in the bottom of the question!

Questions:

Windows 10: Windows could not prepare the computer to boot into the next phase of installation. To install windows, restart the installation – Answer isn't valid for me, as I don't have ANY OS on my laptop currently.

Can't install windows after linux – The problem is a bit similar (I also had Linux before), but not Windows 7 or anything. Also, it even doesn't have an answer; the comments didn't help as I used Media Creation Tool.

Why does Windows 10 fail to install on UEFI/GPT laptop? – Didn't help as I have 2 drives and my USB. Formatting in FAT32 brings me back to NTFS for no reason.

Windows 10 fails to install to fresh ssd – No answers, comments didn't help as well.

'Windows could not prepare the computer to…' error while installing any windows (7/8.1/10) – Again, my USB is the only EFI bootable drive I have.

And to the problem:

I use MediaCreationTool2004.exe to create a bootable USB drive, straight from Microsoft site. My EFI sees the USB (By the way, my EFI doesn't have a GUI); I select it and boot. Everything goes fine before the literal finish of the installation. It just says Windows could not prepare the computer to boot into the next phase of the installation. Restart and try again.

My laptop OS hierarchy:

  1. Windows 10 x64
  2. Windows 10 x64 once again after me formatting C: for no reason
  3. Ubuntu
  4. Multiboot (Ubuntu, Windows 10 x64)
  5. Kali Linux
  6. Zorin OS
  7. Ubuntu
  8. Linux Mint
  9. Tried to install Windows 8 x64 but didn't succeed (same error)
  10. Tried to install Windows 8.1 x64 but same error
  11. Tried to install Windows 10 x64 but didn't succeed (same error) (current)

Very current: No OS

What've I tried:

  1. Removing each partition when installing but the installation failed instantly (after copying the files)
  2. Removing each partition through diskpart before even installing, which of course failed as well
  3. Not removing the partitions, just formatting the main partition to install but it failed on the last step.
  4. Going to "Repair the system" —> Delete updates —> Delete the last update. Outputs "An error occurred…"
  5. Removing literally everything from the laptop I could remove (except for the USB) (mouse, patch cable, charger). Nothing changed, the same error as in the 3rd.
  6. Going to "Repair the system" —> cmd —> Using the diskpart and formatting directly from here. Nothing changed.
  7. Cleaning volumes – didn't help, nothing changed.

Also after some time, diskpart started saying Drive not selected. when trying to format C:<br/>
I have no idea what to do.

More data:

Laptop – Digma
CPU – Intel(R) Atom(TM) x5-Z8350 CPU @ 1.44GHz
RAM – 2048 MB DDR3
Windows 10: was licensed when it was on my laptop

The details you came for:

Unsucceed:

Using MediaCreationTool2004.exe with Windows 10, Russian, x64 settings
Using MediaCreationTool2004.exe with Windows 10, Russian, x86 settings
Using Rufus 3.11.1678 with GPT, UEFI (non-CSM), FAT32, 4096, x64 settings
Using Rufus 3.11.1678 with GPT, UEFI (non-CSM), FAT32, 4096, x86 settings

Additional:

My EFI doesn't see the NTFS-formatted USB for some reason
My USB is 8 GB

Best Answer

Looks like I've found the solution!

  1. You should create the bootable USB using WinSetupFromUSB 1.9 with these steps:

    1. Insert the USB
    2. Format the USB using diskpart (NOT QUICK, FAT32)
    3. Delete each partition from the USB
    4. Using WinSetupFromUsb, create the USB
  1. Plug the USB into your laptop or whatever it is
  2. Remove everything plugged except for the setup USB (charger, patch cable, mouse (used touchpad))
  3. Before installing, click Shift+F10.
  4. Type diskpart
  5. Type lis dis. For me, it outputted, that I have 3 disks (29 GB, 460GB, 7420MB)
  6. Type sel dis ? where ? is the disk which is NOT a USB and NOT a disk you are using to setup
  7. Type clean
  8. Type offline
  9. Repeat for every disk which is NOT a USB and NOT a disk you are using to setup
  10. Type sel dis ?? where ?? is the disk you're using to setup
  11. Type lis par. For me, it outputted, that I have 2 partitions (500MB, 100MB)
  12. Type sel par n where n is initially 0 but it increases each time you repeat it
  13. Type del par. If it outputs any error, ignore it
  14. Type sel dis ?? where ?? is the disk you're using to setup
  15. Type format without any fs or quick - just format
  16. Type exit
  17. Continue the setup. When you're suggested about disks, it should have only Unallocated Spaces (formatted) and each disk (except for your main disk) should be offline.
  18. Select your main disk (that online one) and continue the setup.
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