The error message "We couldn't create a new partition or locate an existing one" during Windows 11 Home installation typically indicates that the Windows setup is unable to find a suitable drive or space on a drive to install the operating system. Here's a breakdown of what this means and how you can troubleshoot it:

Possible Causes:

• No Hard Drive Detected: The installer might not be recognizing your hard drive or SSD at all. This could be due to a loose connection, a faulty drive, or missing drivers.


• Incorrect BIOS Settings: The BIOS (Basic Input/Output System) might not have the correct boot order or drive settings.


• Drive Not Initialized or Partitioned: If the drive is brand new or has been completely wiped, it might not have been initialized or partitioned in a way that Windows setup can understand.


• Conflicting Partitions or Drive Issues: Existing partitions might be corrupted, have incompatible file systems, or be locked, preventing Windows from creating a new partition.


• USB Drive Issues: Sometimes, the way the Windows 11 installation media was created on the USB drive can cause this error.


• Outdated or Missing Storage Controller Drivers: In some cases, especially with newer hardware, the Windows setup might not have the necessary drivers to communicate with your storage controller.


• MBR vs. GPT Partition Style: Windows 11 requires a GPT (GUID Partition Table) for UEFI (Unified Extensible Firmware Interface) boot mode. If your drive is using MBR (Master Boot Record) and your system is trying to boot in UEFI mode, this error can occur.

Troubleshooting Steps:

1. Check Physical Connections:

   
   
   
   
   • Ensure your hard drive or SSD is securely connected to the motherboard and power supply. If it's an internal drive, double-check the SATA and power cables.
   
   
   • If you're installing from a USB drive, try a different USB port.
   
   
   
   



2. Verify BIOS Settings:

   
   
   
   
   • Restart your computer and enter the BIOS setup (usually by pressing Del, F2, F12, or another key during startup - check your motherboard manual).
   
   
   • Check Boot Order: Make sure your USB drive (if you're installing from one) is set as the primary boot device.
   
   
   • Check Drive Detection: Ensure your hard drive or SSD is detected in the BIOS. If it's not listed, there might be a hardware issue.
   
   
   • Check SATA Mode: Look for SATA configuration settings (sometimes called SATA Mode, AHCI Mode, or RAID Mode). AHCI is generally the recommended setting for SSDs and most modern systems.
   
   
   • UEFI/Legacy Boot: If your system supports UEFI, ensure it's enabled and that your installation media is also set up for UEFI. If you're using an older system, you might need to use Legacy or CSM (Compatibility Support Module) boot.
   
   
   
   



3. Use DiskPart via Command Prompt (Advanced):

   
   
   
   
   • When you reach the "We couldn't create a new partition" error screen, press Shift + F10 to open a Command Prompt window.
   
   
   • Type the following commands one by one, pressing Enter after each:
     
     
     • diskpart
     
     
     • list disk (This will show you a list of available disks. Identify your target drive by its size. Note the disk number, usually 0).
     
     
     • select disk 0 (Replace 0 with the correct disk number of your target drive).
     
     
     • clean (Warning: This will erase all data on the selected disk!)
     
     
     • convert gpt (If your system uses UEFI. If it's an older BIOS, you might try convert mbr instead).
     
     
     • create partition primary
     
     
     • format fs=ntfs quick
     
     
     • assign letter=C (You can choose a different letter if C: is already taken)
     
     
     • exit
     
     
     • exit
     
     
     
     
   
   
   • After exiting, try the installation again.
   
   
   
   



4. Load Storage Controller Drivers:

   
   
   
   
   • If the installer can't see your drive, it might need specific drivers. These are usually available from your motherboard or laptop manufacturer's website.
   
   
   • Download the drivers to a separate USB drive.
   
   
   • On the "Where do you want to install Windows?" screen, look for an option like "Load driver."
   
   
   • Browse to the USB drive containing the drivers and install them. Your drive might appear after this.
   
   
   
   



5. Try a Different Installation Method:

   
   
   
   
   • Recreate Bootable USB: The USB drive you're using might be corrupted. Try recreating the bootable USB drive using the official Microsoft Media Creation Tool.
   
   
   • Use a Different USB Drive: Some USB drives can have compatibility issues. Try using a different USB stick.
   
   
   
   



6. Disconnect External Drives: Disconnect any unnecessary external hard drives, USB drives, or SD cards from your computer during the installation process.

   
   



7. Check for Hardware Issues: If none of the above steps work, there might be a problem with your hard drive or SSD itself. You might need to test it using diagnostic tools provided by the manufacturer or try a different drive if possible.

   
   

By systematically working through these steps, you should be able to identify the cause of the error and successfully install Windows 11 Home. Remember to back up any important data before making significant changes to your disk partitions.

Ah, okay. That's a helpful piece of information. If you can see the existing partitions and delete them, it means the Windows installer is recognizing your hard drive or SSD. In this case, the issue is likely happening when the installer tries to create the new partitions needed for Windows 11 after you've deleted the old ones.

Here are some potential reasons why you might be able to delete partitions but not create new ones, along with troubleshooting steps:

Possible Causes (When You Can Delete Partitions):

• Insufficient Unallocated Space: Even after deleting partitions, there might not be enough contiguous unallocated space for Windows to create its required partitions (system reserved, primary, recovery).


• Drive Corruption or Errors: While the drive is being recognized, there might be underlying corruption or errors on the disk that prevent new partitions from being created.


• MBR vs. GPT Issue (More Likely): As mentioned before, Windows 11 strongly prefers (and sometimes requires) a GPT partition table for UEFI boot. If your drive was previously formatted with MBR, deleting the partitions might not automatically change the underlying partition table. The installer might be expecting GPT and failing to create partitions on an MBR disk (or vice-versa, though less common with Windows 11).


• BIOS/UEFI Settings Conflict: Even if you can see and delete partitions, certain BIOS/UEFI settings related to storage or boot mode could still be interfering with the partition creation process.


• Installation Media Issues: Although less likely if the drive is being recognized, the Windows 11 installation media itself could still have issues that manifest during the partition creation stage.

Troubleshooting Steps (When You Can Delete Partitions):

1. Ensure Sufficient Unallocated Space: After deleting the partitions, make sure you have a large enough block of "Unallocated Space" selected before trying to create a new partition or clicking "Next" to let Windows do it automatically. Windows 11 requires a significant amount of space.

   
   



2. Force GPT Conversion using DiskPart: This is a strong possibility. Even if you deleted MBR partitions, the drive might still be formatted as MBR. Let's try explicitly converting it to GPT using the Command Prompt:

   
   
   
   
   • When you reach the "Where do you want to install Windows?" screen, press Shift + F10 to open a Command Prompt.
   
   
   • Type the following commands one by one, pressing Enter after each:
     
     
     • diskpart
     
     
     • list disk (Identify your target drive by its size and note the disk number).
     
     
     • select disk X (Replace X with the disk number of your target drive).
     
     
     • clean (Warning: This will erase all data on the selected disk again, so be sure you've deleted the correct one).
     
     
     • convert gpt
     
     
     • exit
     
     
     • exit
     
     
     
     
   
   
   • Now, go back to the Windows installation screen and try to create a new partition or click "Next."
   
   
   
   



3. Check BIOS/UEFI Boot Mode:

   
   
   
   
   • Restart your computer and enter the BIOS/UEFI settings.
   
   
   • Look for boot options. Ensure that if your system supports UEFI, it is enabled. If you're trying to install in UEFI mode, your installation media should also be set up for UEFI boot.
   
   
   • If you're using an older system that only supports Legacy/CSM boot, ensure that is enabled in the BIOS.
   
   
   
   



4. Try Letting Windows Create Partitions Automatically: After deleting all existing partitions and ensuring you have a large block of unallocated space, simply select the unallocated space and click "Next." Let the Windows installer automatically create the necessary partitions. Sometimes, manually trying to create partitions can lead to issues if the sizes or types are not what Windows expects.

   
   



5. Run Disk Check (CHKDSK) from Command Prompt (If Possible): While you're in the Command Prompt (Shift + F10 on the installation screen), you can try running a disk check on the drive:

   
   
   
   
   • chkdsk /f /r C: (Replace C: with the drive letter assigned to your installation media - you might need to use list volume in diskpart to identify it).
   
   
   • This command will check the disk for errors and attempt to fix them. It might take some time.
   
   
   
   



6. Recreate Bootable USB Drive: Even if the drive is being recognized, there's still a small chance the installation media has a subtle issue. Try recreating the bootable USB drive using the official Microsoft Media Creation Tool.

   
   



7. Consider Potential Hardware Issues: Although you can delete partitions, persistent issues creating new ones could still point to a problem with the drive itself. If none of the software-based solutions work, you might want to consider running diagnostic tools from the drive manufacturer or trying a different drive if possible.

   
   

Start with the force GPT conversion as it's a common culprit in Windows 11 installation issues on previously used drives. Let me know if any of these steps help or if you encounter any further errors!