Unable to install Windows 11 after formatting disk - Installation failed

Dominouce · 2025-03-11T12:22:05-0400

Hello,
I've been trying to reinstall Windows 11 cleanly on my PC, but the installation keeps failing. Here's what happened:

I created a bootable USB key with Rufus using the official Windows 11 ISO.
I booted the USB key and launched the installation.
I selected my main disk (476 GB), but the installation didn't work.
I then clicked on “Format”, (bad idea on my part) which emptied the disk, but that didn't change anything.
When I rebooted, I could no longer boot on my old Windows, as it no longer appeared in the boot options.
Now the installation of Windows 11 fails with a message “Windows 11 installation failed”.

What I see in the disk list during installation:
- Partition 0 on disk 1
- Partition 0 on disk 2
- Partition 0 of disk 3 (the 476 GB disk on which I want to install Windows)
- Partition 1 of disk CCCOMA_X64FRE_FR (my USB key with the ISO)
- Unallocated disk space 1
- Partition 1 of disk 2: UEFI_NTFS
- Another “Disk space 1 unallocated”.

I've tried to clean the disk with Diskpart (clean & convert gpt), but the error persists.

What can I do to successfully install Windows 11?

PS: I've already tried deleting the partitions on the main disk, but nothing changes.

Thanks in advance for your help!

Gas · 2025-03-11T12:36:54-0400

Dominouce said:
Hello,
I've been trying to reinstall Windows 11 cleanly on my PC, but the installation keeps failing. Here's what happened:

I created a bootable USB key with Rufus using the official Windows 11 ISO.
I booted the USB key and launched the installation.
I selected my main disk (476 GB), but the installation didn't work.
I then clicked on “Format”, (bad idea on my part) which emptied the disk, but that didn't change anything.
When I rebooted, I could no longer boot on my old Windows, as it no longer appeared in the boot options.
Now the installation of Windows 11 fails with a message “Windows 11 installation failed”.

What I see in the disk list during installation:
- Partition 0 on disk 1
- Partition 0 on disk 2
- Partition 0 of disk 3 (the 476 GB disk on which I want to install Windows)
- Partition 1 of disk CCCOMA_X64FRE_FR (my USB key with the ISO)
- Unallocated disk space 1
- Partition 1 of disk 2: UEFI_NTFS
- Another “Disk space 1 unallocated”.

I've tried to clean the disk with Diskpart (clean & convert gpt), but the error persists.

What can I do to successfully install Windows 11?

PS: I've already tried deleting the partitions on the main disk, but nothing changes.

Thanks in advance for your help!

Hello Dominouce, at what point of the installation “Windows 11 installation failed” shows? It wouldn't be bad if you post pictures of the windows you see during installation process.

Dominouce · 2025-03-11T12:57:02-0400

Gas said:
Hello Dominouce, at what point of the installation “Windows 11 installation failed” shows? It wouldn't be bad if you post pictures of the windows, you see during installation process.

I get the error after selecting the disk and clicking on install. The installation starts, then a blue screen with the error message. For the moment, I can't take any photos. Thank you for your prompt reply.

Gas · 2025-03-11T13:04:09-0400

Dominouce said:
I get the error after selecting the disk and clicking on install. The installation starts, then a blue screen with the error message. For the moment, I can't take any photos. Thank you for your prompt reply.

Try these steps now:
Delete/remove - Partition 0 on disk 1
Delete/remove - Partition 0 on disk 2
At this point you should only have Partition 0 on disk 1, highlight it and select new disk in the lower part, then sect it as the target disk and go on with the installation process. Let me know

Dominouce · 2025-03-11T13:18:35-0400

Gas said:
Try these steps now:
Delete/remove - Partition 0 on disk 1
Delete/remove - Partition 0 on disk 2
At this point you should only have Partition 0 on disk 1, highlight it and select new disk in the lower part, then sect it as the target disk and go on with the installation process. Let me know

For the disk partition in question (after following your steps) I have two options that are similar to what you suggest: “Extend Partition” and “Create Partition”. The second option cannot be selected and is shown in gray. The installation was unsuccessful. I'm sorry for the meagre information I'm giving you, but I think I'll be able to find a way of taking photos by tomorrow.

glasskuter · 2025-03-11T13:41:08-0400

Don't delete any partitions on any drive that is not your system drive.
Before installing windows, uninstall all drives except your system drive.

When you created your Rufus boot usb, did you select all the options in Rufus to create a drive that with work around incompatible hardware.

OldNavy · 2025-03-11T13:47:52-0400

Dominouce,
Try a different USB stick, I've had installations fail and then work once i used a dirrerent stick.
Good luck

Dominouce · 2025-03-11T13:56:20-0400

glasskuter said:
Don't delete any partitions on any drive that is not your system drive.
Before installing windows, uninstall all drives except your system drive.

When you created your Rufus boot usb, did you select all the options in Rufus to create a drive that with work around incompatible hardware.

The compatibility option should have been activated as standard, I think. Your answer makes me think that I could try again to create a bootable usb key from another computer with a freshly installed ISO, as the one I have could be defective for X or Y reason.

Dominouce · 2025-03-11T13:57:46-0400

OldNavy said:
Dominouce,
Try a different USB stick, I've had installations fail and then work once i used a dirrerent stick.
Good luck

I wish it had worked! Thanks anyway.

glasskuter · 2025-03-11T15:05:26-0400

Dominouce said:
The compatibility option should have been activated as standard, I think

Please excuse me. I was wrong. Your hardware IS compatible. I was looking at another user's specs who had incompatible hardware. I'm back on track now.

Unlike a lot of others here, I use only official isos. I've never used UUP

Try this. Download an OFFICIAL Microsoft Windows 11 iso here . Scroll down to where is says "Download Windows 11 Disk Image".
Then use Rufus to create your installation drive using that iso.

Download Windows 11

Disconnect all drives except your system drive. Boot from your Rufus usb and follow this tutorial. Pay attention at step 10. You should see only one drive. Delete ALL partitions on that drive and select to install windows on the resulting unallocated space.

Clean Install Windows 11

This tutorial will show you step by step on how to clean install Windows 11 at boot on your PC with or without an Internet connection and setup with a local account or Microsoft account. Windows 11 has all the power and security of Windows 10 with a redesigned and refreshed look. It also comes...

www.elevenforum.com

bobkn · 2025-03-11T16:32:32-0400

is there a point to using Rufus on supported hardware?

I suppose there could be an issue with install.wim being over 4GB, creating a problem a FAT32 drive. (My preference is to split it with DISM.)

Dominouce · 2025-03-11T17:08:46-0400

glasskuter said:
Please excuse me. I was wrong. Your hardware IS compatible. I was looking at another user's specs who had incompatible hardware. I'm back on track now.

Unlike a lot of others here, I use only official isos. I've never used UUP

Try this. Download an OFFICIAL Microsoft Windows 11 iso here . Scroll down to where is says "Download Windows 11 Disk Image".
Then use Rufus to create your installation drive using that iso.

Download Windows 11

Disconnect all drives except your system drive. Boot from your Rufus usb and follow this tutorial. Pay attention at step 10. You should see only one drive. Delete ALL partitions on that drive and select to install windows on the resulting unallocated space.

Clean Install Windows 11

This tutorial will show you step by step on how to clean install Windows 11 at boot on your PC with or without an Internet connection and setup with a local account or Microsoft account. Windows 11 has all the power and security of Windows 10 with a redesigned and refreshed look. It also comes...

www.elevenforum.com

bobkn said:
is there a point to using Rufus on supported hardware?

I suppose there could be an issue with install.wim being over 4GB, creating a problem a FAT32 drive. (My preference is to split it with DISM.)

It's true that I hadn't thought of that, but I'd be surprised if it created that kind of problem. The fact that Windows 11 can be installed on non-compatible devices is more of an optional tool that can be chosen even if you don't use it, rather than a specific feature for a particular situation. After that I don't know much about it, and as I said, I'll try to recreate a bootable key and pay more attention to the details. Nevertheless, I'm open to replies.

Gas · 2025-03-11T19:05:15-0400

glasskuter said:
Don't delete any partitions on any drive that is not your system drive.
Before installing windows, uninstall all drives except your system drive.

When you created your Rufus boot usb, did you select all the options in Rufus to create a drive that with work around incompatible hardware.

Those are the partitions created by windows in the previous installation, the first one is the UEFI Partition, the second one is the Recovery Partition, then he will find only one partition of unallocated space selecting it he will then have to hit the "New" button, that will be the OS partition and windows will create again the UEFI and the Recovery Partitions, not deleting those partitions he will end up having two duplicated UEFI and Recovery partitions making his Disk Management a mess.

glasskuter · 2025-03-11T21:56:03-0400

Gas said:
not deleting those partitions he will end up having two duplicated UEFI and Recovery partitions making his Disk Management a mess.

His partitions are already in a mess. My suggestion was made as an effort to get his windows 11 working again on the correct drive with correct partitions. He can work out his secondary drive once he's done so.
If he wants a proper installation, His efi and recovery partitions should be on his system drive only, not his secondary drives. By disconnecting his secondary drives and deleting all partitions during the install as I stated in post #10 the install will partition his system drive correctly as well as put his bootloader on the proper drive (on his C: partition.)

Dominouce said:
- Partition 0 of disk 3 (the 476 GB disk on which I want to install Windows)

Are you dealing with a different computer than the one listed in your specs as that laptop has only ONE ssd slot per it's specifications. If you are indeed trying to install windows on that laptop, all the more reason for disconnecting what must be an external drive.

If you are dealing with a different computer, it would be a great help if we knew for sure what you are working with here. Also provide a screenshot of disk management.

Unable to install Windows 11 after formatting disk - Installation failed

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