Solved: Setup was unable to create a new system partition or locate an existing system partition

There are many ways to fix “setup was unable to create a new system partition or locate an existing system partition“.

This type error has different methods of fixing. It seems one solutions does not apply for everyone.

Here I am going to post 3 different methods to solve “Setup was unable to create a new system partition or locate an existing system partition”  issue starting with the easiest one.

Method 1

1. Unplug any USB external drive.

2. While in the this Window unplug the Windows installation USB from the PC for 15 to 30 seconds.

3. Plug the USB back to the PC and click on refresh.

4. Re-try to install Windows.

Method 2

Re-start the the PC and log into the BIOS by pressing the proper Function key.

Once there Locate the SATA Configuration and change the option from EHCI to IDE.

Save settings by following the instructions on the screen.

Method 3

1. When you see the error in question, press Shift+F10 to open the command prompt.

2. In the command prompt type diskpart and hit Enter.

3. Then type list disk and hit Enter.

4. Type select disk  X (X being the local drive.), and then hit Enter. In my case the disk where I want to install Windows 7 is Disk 0, so the command would be “select disk 0”

5. Type clean and hit Enter.

6. Now type create partition primary size=5000 and hit Enter.

7. Now type format fs=ntfs quick and phit Enter. This command will format the partition using NTFS.

8. Type assign and hit Enter. This will assign a drive letter to the partition.

9. Type active and hit Enter.

10. Type list volume and hit Enter. To list the drive letters of the Windows installation media (USB/Disc).

11. Type exit and hit Enter.

12. Change directory to the USB flash drive, in my case: cd e:

13. Copy all the Windows installation files from USB drive to C: drive by entering the following command: xcopy e: c:/e /h /k

14. Remove the installation USB drive from computer and restart.

15. From here you should be able to install Windows without an issue.

Video Tutorial: