Users of Windows have reportedly encountered the following error message when attempting to install or upgrade to the new operating system: “Windows couldn't prepare your PC for the next stage of installation. To install Windows, restart the installer.”
Here are some real-life examples of users seeking help on forums:
To proceed and finish the installation, you must address this error. Luckily, this dedicated post about the tool gathers all the possible causes and effective solutions for when Windows fails to prepare your computer to start up on Windows 11, Windows 10, or Windows 7. First, let's find out why you're receiving this error message.
The text in the image says, "Windows failed to prepare the computer to boot." This is typically an error message indicating that there's an issue with the Windows operating system, preventing the computer from starting up normally. This error can be caused by various reasons, such as failed system updates, driver issues, or file corruption. To resolve this problem, you might need to attempt troubleshooting steps like booting into Safe Mode, using System Restore options, or reinstalling Windows. If the issue persists, it's advisable to seek professional technical support assistance.
Why does your Windows fail to prepare your computer for the next installation stage? According to user reports and our investigations, the following are some possible reasons that might cause the Windows installation to fail.
You connected too many extra devices while installing Windows:
It is known to cause issues with certain BIOS versions. Removing unnecessary hardware allows the BIOS firmware to proceed with the boot process as normal.
Installation media not set up correctly:
Many users resort to using bootable USB drives to install a new OS, and that's perfectly fine. However, it turns out that creating a faulty installation medium can lead to the Windows couldn't prepare your PC to start issue.
Issues related to the BIOS:
BIOS is a firmware that checks system devices and loads the Windows operating system. It plays an essential role in the Windows boot process. There are three things that could cause the “Windows didn't shut down successfully” issue:
Damaged system or installation files:
A corrupted system file in the operating system can prevent your computer from installing a complete and secure OS, leading to the “Windows couldn't prepare your PC to start” error.
These are some of the reasons why Windows might fail to prepare your computer for startup. It's great that you shared this article to help other users resolve the issue.
In this section, you'll find various methods to fix the Windows is unable to prepare your computer to boot error. Try them one by one to resolve the installation error in Windows 11/10/7.
The “Windows Cannot Prepare Your Computer to Boot” error can occur when your computer has too many external devices connected to it. A high hardware load can trigger a BIOS error that prevents the operating system from installing. In this case, removing all extra peripherals is the quickest and most effective solution.
Remove any unnecessary devices, including external USB drives, USB adapters, SD cards, extra HDDs or SSDs, CDs, and any other peripherals that aren't needed for the installation process. Make sure your computer is running with the minimum amount of hardware. Then, restart your computer and begin the installation process again.
To fix the “Windows couldn't prepare your computer to start” error, you need to repair outdated, incompatible, or misconfigured BIOS.
Depending on your BIOS status, we offer several methods to resolve firmware-related errors and help you complete a failed Windows installation.
Guideline 1: Check BIOS compatibility
Because of their small size, many newer mini-PCs only support Windows 8.1 or later. You can call the manufacturer or search for online support on their website to check if your BIOS supports the version of Windows you want to install.
If your BIOS is incompatible with your operating system or has incorrect settings, you can update the BIOS by following these steps:
Guideline 2: Update the outdated BIOS version
Make sure you download the correct BIOS version that's compatible with your computer and specific system. Here, we'll show you how to update the BIOS to the latest version on a Windows PC.
Step 1: Verify the current BIOS version.
Step Two: Find your computer's serial number.
wmic baseboard, get Product, Manufacturer, Version, SerialNumber;
Please take note of the serial number again and keep it somewhere safe.
Step 3: Next, you need to update to the corresponding BIOS version.
Since BIOS versions vary from computer to computer, you'll first need to find out your motherboard model and choose the current operating system. Then, locate the latest BIOS version for your computer and download it.
Some users are unable to proceed with the installation of Windows 10 during the setup process. This might be due to an error occurring during installation, caused by incorrectly configured installation media, such as a bootable USB drive. Fortunately, you can follow the links below to learn how to properly configure your installation media and install Windows from a USB drive.
How to Install Windows 10 from USB [Step-by-Step Guide]
There are various ways to install Windows 10 on a new computer or drive. Using a bootable USB to install Windows 10 and set up the operating system is an excellent method when you don't have a CD or DVD drive.
There are two types of BIOS: Legacy BIOS and UEFI BIOS, where UEFI BIOS is compatible with GPT and Legacy BIOS with MBR. Therefore, it's advisable to set the correct partition format on the installation media before you start installing. We recommend using the tool, AOMEI Partition Assistant, to convert your disk to the required format. This tool allows you to convert the disk to MBR or GPT without data loss. Here, as an example, we'll show you how to convert MBR to GPT by downloading the tool and following the tutorial to set the proper partition style.
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After setting the correct partition style, try again to see if this error has been eliminated. This tool can also convert GPT to MBR and set the correct partition style.
If all solutions fail, erasing all partitions might be the last resort, though it will remove all your data. It's recommended to back up important data beforehand, then follow these steps.
Step 1: Boot the computer using the installation media.
Step 2: On the "Windows Setup" screen, select each current partition on the installation drive, and then click the Delete button below it.
Step 3: Create a new partition from the unallocated space.
Step 4: Restart the Windows installer.
You should now have successfully repaired Windows, rather than merely booted the computer.
In this article, we have elaborated on five methods to fix the “Windows failed to prepare your PC to start” issue. In most cases, removing all extra hardware peripherals is the most useful and effective method. If that doesn't work, you can try the other solutions in the article. The last solution will wipe all data from the installation media; back up important data if you want to delete all partitions. You might also be interested in the following topics.
Have you resolved the "Windows couldn't prepare your PC to start" error? If you have other concerns, proceed with the troubleshooting steps below.
1. How do I fix the "Windows couldn't prepare your PC for the next stage of installation" issue?
The most effective way to resolve the "Windows couldn't prepare your PC to start" error is to disconnect all unnecessary hardware. Keep only the essential components and attempt to reinstall Windows.
How do I fix a Windows 10 installation that won't start?
If your Windows 10 fails to start, the issue might lie with the hard drive, BIOS and its settings, or the Windows installation files. To address this, you can run a Startup Repair, fix hard drive errors, reset the BIOS mode, or update the BIOS version.
Question 3: Why does the Windows installation get stuck on the “Preparing” screen?
You might need to check for corrupted system files, as damaged Windows installation files (in most cases) are the reason why Windows gets stuck on the “Preparing” screen.