9 errors when installing Windows 10 and how to fix them

2024 Author: Malcolm Clapton | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 03:44

Make sure that everything is in order with the disk, and the distribution kit of the system is correctly written to the USB flash drive.

1. Inconsistency of the device with the system requirements

If the computer is too old, then Windows 10 will not install on it. So check if your system is powerful enough.

Microsoft puts forward a number of requirements for the computers of users of the "dozens". But in practice, this is not enough. The system will be installed, but you will not be able to work comfortably with it. See the Microsoft Developer's Document for the actual system requirements for Windows 10. Make sure your PC meets the requirements.

• CPU: Intel i3 / i5 / i7 / i9-7x, Core M3-7xxx, Xeon E3-xxxx and Xeon E5-xxxx, AMD 8th Gen (A Series Ax-9xxx, E-Series Ex-9xxx, FX-9xxx) or ARM64 (Snapdragon SDM850 or newer)
• RAM: 4 GB for 32-bit, 16 GB for 64-bit.
• SSD / NVMe: 128 GB minimum for 64-bit and 32-bit OS.
• Video card: DirectX 9 or newer.
• Display Resolution: 800 × 600, the minimum diagonal size for the main display is 7 inches or more.

Keep in mind that if you install the system on an HDD instead of an SSD, then the disk will slow down performance a lot. For a computer that does not meet the specified criteria, lightweight Linux distributions are better suited.

2. Insufficient disk space

Windows 10 needs at least 20 GB of free space. If you are trying to install the system on a smaller disk partition, it will notify you of an error. "Ten" assures that 10 GB is enough for it, but this is without taking into account updates and third-party programs. 100 GB is enough with a margin.

3. Lack of suitable section

The inscription “We could not create a new or find an existing partition” means that you cannot create new partitions for Windows 10 on your disk. This happens if any operating system was installed there before.

Windows 10, unlike Linux, is not friendly with other operating systems and prefers to completely occupy the media assigned to it. In total, you can create up to four physical partitions on a disk, and a "dozen" can easily use everything. It marks them as "Primary", "System", "Recovery" and MSR (Microsoft Reserved Partition, required to create virtual additional partitions).

If the disk previously had a different OS, it is better to delete all partitions and let the system recreate them before installing Windows 10.

Before doing this, copy all the data you want to keep from your disk and put it in a safe place.

Click "Delete" and erase all partitions. Then create a new one by clicking on "Create" and install the system as usual. Remember: if you plan to use Windows 10 and Linux at the same time, then first you need to put the "ten".

4. Problems with the hard drive or SSD

The system may display the error "Windows cannot install the necessary files" and display the code 0x8007025D. Most likely, the problem is with the hard drive or SSD. Here's what you can do about it:

• Make sure there is enough free space in the partition where Windows 10 is installed.
• Disconnect all extraneous media: flash drives, external drives, as well as internal SSD and HDD, which are not currently being installed. If you have an optical drive, you should disable that too.
• When partitioning the disk, erase all partitions using the "Delete" button and let Windows 10 recreate them as described in step 3.
• Try to install the "ten" on another potentially scratch disk. If everything went smoothly, then the defective one should be thrown away.

5. Problems with the installation flash drive or disk image

The error "Windows cannot install the necessary files" and the system freezing on the Windows logo even before the installer appears can signal problems with a flash drive or ISO-disk image. Here's what you can do:

• Download the Windows 10 ISO using the Media Creation Tool. No extraneous "repacks" and torrent trackers.
• Try another flash drive. Perhaps this one is damaged.
• Record the image downloaded in the Media Creation Tool not in the application itself, but in the program. Before starting, in the "Show advanced formatting options" section, check the box next to "Check for bad blocks".
• Download the ISO image and burn the bootable USB flash drive on a different computer from which you did it before. Perhaps it has problems with RAM and the image was recorded with an error.
• If you have an old computer or new hardware but a used case, the problem may be lurking in the USB ports. Try plugging the flash drive into a different port, preferably one of the ones on the back, right on the motherboard.

6. Error updating old Windows

If you are installing Windows 10 not via a bootable USB flash drive, but updating the current system, for example using the Update Assistant installer, you may encounter an error. Most often it will have the code 80070005. This is because the installer cannot access files and folders on an already running system. In this case:

• Disable all antiviruses and firewalls.
• Delete unnecessary programs, Windows. Old folder and personal files that clutter it from the system drive.
• Reboot and start the update process again.
• If the installer produces a specific error code, search for it and follow the recommendations.
• Write down the bootable USB flash drive and start the update process from it. Select the "Update" option instead of "Custom".

7. Freezing while downloading updates

Sometimes Windows 10 stops installing during the update download phase. The reason is poor connection to Microsoft servers. In this case, disconnect the Internet during the installation of the "tens" by disconnecting the cable from the computer. When the system is snugly located on the disk in offline mode and starts up, put the cable back in place and update.

8. Windows 10 cannot find the installation drive

You have successfully booted from the flash drive, read the license agreement and are ready to start installing Windows, but the system simply does not display your media in the drive selection window. In this case, try connecting the SSD or hard drive on which you are going to install the system to a different SATA port and a different SATA cable. There are usually at least two of them bundled with the motherboard. Perhaps the previous ones were faulty.

Another solution to the problem is to move your SSD to another M.2 slot on the motherboard (most likely there is one).

On many motherboards, only one M.2 slot can be bootable, and if you originally put the media in the wrong slot, then swapping will solve the problem.

9. Hardware problems

If the previous steps did not help, the problem may be with faulty devices connected to your computer.

Further tips are for advanced users. If you have not looked into your system unit before, it is better to contact a specialist.

Disconnect external media other than installation media and other equipment. Leave only the power cord at the laptop. Only a monitor, mouse, and keyboard should be connected to a desktop PC.

Remove everything from the system unit that is not necessary for loading. Pull out all but one of the RAM strips, remove all drives except the one on which you are installing the system, disconnect external drives and case fans (do not touch the processor cooler).

Install the system and make sure it starts up. Then connect the remote components one at a time, turning off the power to the computer each time. This will help you identify the faulty device.