Windows installation failures on new PCs typically stem from incompatible boot modes, faulty USB media, or storage driver conflicts. By verifying BIOS settings for UEFI and Secure Boot, recreating the installation media with Microsoft’s official tool, and ensuring proper SATA/NVMe controller detection, you can resolve most setup errors and complete a clean OS deployment.
Verify BIOS/UEFI Configuration
The most common reason for a Windows installation to fail immediately upon starting is incorrect firmware configuration. Modern motherboards default to different boot standards depending on the chipset and age of the hardware. If you are installing Windows 10 version 1803 or later, or any version of Windows 11, the system must be configured in UEFI mode rather than Legacy BIOS (CSM). Legacy mode often leads to partition table mismatches, specifically between MBR and GPT, which causes the installer to reject the drive or crash during file copying.
Enter your motherboard’s BIOS by pressing Delete or F2 during the initial POST screen. Navigate to the Boot tab and locate the Boot Mode setting. Change this from Legacy or CSM to UEFI. Additionally, ensure that Secure Boot is enabled, particularly for Windows 11 installations, as many modern OEM installers will refuse to proceed if this security feature is disabled. If you have an older SSD or HDD that only supports MBR, you may need to keep CSM enabled, but note that this limits your ability to use drives larger than 2TB efficiently. After making changes, save the settings and exit. The system should reboot into the UEFI environment, allowing the Windows installer to recognize the drive correctly.
Create Clean Installation Media
Corrupted download files or improperly written USB sticks are frequent culprits for installation loops and error codes like 0x80070057. Many users attempt to copy the ISO file directly to a USB drive using drag-and-drop or third-party tools that do not handle the boot sector correctly. This results in a non-bootable medium that fails to load the necessary drivers for your hardware.
The most reliable method is using the Microsoft Media Creation Tool. Download this utility from the official Microsoft website for either Windows 10 or Windows 11. Run the executable and select Create installation media (USB flash drive, DVD, or ISO file) for another PC. Insert a USB drive with at least 8GB of storage. Select USB flash drive as the media type and choose the correct drive letter. The tool will automatically format the drive, download the latest files, and make it bootable. If you prefer using Rufus, ensure you select the correct partition scheme (GPT for UEFI systems) and file system (NTFS). Avoid using compressed archives or downloaded ISOs from unofficial sources, as these may contain missing components required for hardware initialization.
Check Storage Controller Drivers
A frustrating scenario occurs when the Windows installer cannot see your hard drive or NVMe SSD. This usually happens because the operating system lacks the specific storage controller driver for your motherboard’s chipset. Intel Rapid Storage Technology (RST) and AMD RAID drivers are often required for the installer to detect modern storage devices. If you encounter a blank list of drives, you likely need to provide these drivers manually.
To resolve this, visit your motherboard manufacturer’s support page and download the Storage Driver or SATA Driver for your specific model. Extract the files to a separate USB drive. During the Windows installation process, when you reach the screen asking where to install Windows, click Load Driver. Browse to the folder containing the extracted driver files and select the appropriate INF file. Once loaded, your drives should appear in the list. Alternatively, some newer motherboards allow you to enable AHCI Mode in the BIOS instead of RAID or IDE mode, which allows Windows to use its built-in generic drivers without needing external files.
Isolate Hardware Conflicts
If the installation progresses but crashes during the "Copying Windows files" phase, hardware instability or peripheral conflicts may be the cause. New builds often include multiple RAM sticks, RGB peripherals, and secondary drives that can interfere with the delicate installation process. It is best practice to perform a minimal hardware configuration during the initial OS install.
- Disconnect Non-Essential Drives: Unplug all secondary SATA drives, extra NVMe slots, and optical drives. Leave only the primary target drive connected. This prevents the installer from writing boot files to the wrong disk and reduces potential I/O bottlenecks.
- Limit RAM Modules: Install only two sticks of RAM in the recommended slots (usually A2 and B2) if you have four slots. This ensures stable memory timing during the write-intensive installation phase.
- Remove Peripherals: Disconnect printers, webcams, external hard drives, and even unnecessary USB keyboards or mice. Use only the keyboard and mouse required to navigate the installer. Some USB hubs or wireless dongles can cause timeout errors during file extraction.
Once Windows is installed and updated, you can reconnect your additional drives and peripherals. If the issue persists after these steps, consider testing your RAM with MemTest86 or checking your power supply stability, as voltage drops during high-load installation tasks can cause silent data corruption.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does my Windows installer say "No Drives Were Found"?
This error indicates that the installer cannot communicate with your storage controller due to missing drivers. You must download the SATA or NVMe storage drivers from your motherboard manufacturer’s website and load them manually via the "Load Driver" button on the installation screen. Alternatively, switching the BIOS storage mode to AHCI often resolves this by enabling generic Windows drivers.
Can I install Windows 11 on unsupported hardware?
Yes, you can bypass TPM 2.0 and CPU checks using tools like Rufus or by modifying the registry during setup. However, doing so may result in instability or lack of future feature updates. For a smoother experience, consider using a supported CPU or upgrading your platform to meet Microsoft’s minimum requirements.
What should I do if the installation freezes at 100%?
A freeze at 100% usually means the system is trying to apply final configurations but lacks necessary drivers or has a hardware conflict. Disconnect all non-essential USB devices and secondary drives. If it persists, check your RAM stability and ensure your BIOS is updated to the latest version provided by the motherboard manufacturer.
How do I know if my BIOS is in UEFI or Legacy mode?
In the BIOS menu, look for the Boot Option Priorities or CSM (Compatibility Support Module) settings. If CSM is enabled and set to Legacy, you are in Legacy mode. To switch to UEFI, disable CSM and set the Boot Mode to UEFI. You can also check in Windows by running msinfo32; the System Summary will explicitly state "BIOS Mode: UEFI" or "Legacy".
Is it safe to delete partitions during installation?
Deleting existing partitions is safe and recommended for a clean install, as it removes old bootloader remnants and ensures the new Windows instance uses a fresh GPT or MBR structure. Be aware that this action permanently erases all data on the selected drive, so back up important files before proceeding.