How to fix
Windows 10 Installation Error “We couldn’t create a new partition”
on Windows

When I try to clean install the second OS using a bootable USB drive, I receive an error saying “We couldn't create a new partition or locate an existing one. For more information, see the Setup log files.” This happens when I select the driver to install OS and then the error code emerges. Could you please tell me why this is happening? Thanks!

Windows 10 has already scored Windows 8, 8.1, and other older versions in terms of the new users and new features adopted by them. However, the newest version of OS released by Microsoft is achieving the record, but not only positive ones. If you would visit the official Microsoft forum or any IT-related discussion forum, you would see how much trouble people encounter while using Windows 10.[ref en-1]

Probably each Windows 10 user knows well what BSOD (Blue Screen of Death) or a pop-up error message (usually grey-toned with a red X button at the top-right corner of the screen) is. These are the Windows 10 bug cases when the user has already installed the OS. Installation Error “We couldn't create a new partition” is no expectation.[ref en-2]

There are thousands of people who cannot install Windows 10, regardless of whether they are trying to upgrade the older Windows version or perform a clean install. This time, we want to address the type of bug, which prevents people from installing Windows 10. “We couldn't create a new partition or locate an existing one. For more information, see the Setup log files” is the name of the error.

Usually, it shows up when people attempt to perform a clean Windows 10 install using a bootable USB drive, but it may also emerge when trying to upgrade Windows 7, 8, 8.1, etc. to Windows 10 using an update. Luckily, “We couldn't create a new partition” error on Windows 10 is not invincible. There is a couple of fixes that may help you to work around it and successfully install Windows 10. Here’s what you can try!

How to Fix Windows 10 Installation Error “We couldn't create a new partition”

The Installation Error “We couldn't create a new partition” is the error that can trigger different scenarios and there are a few solutions for this problem. The issue might come with a particular error code, occur during the installation, or trigger issues with SSD, USB, Dual Boot.[ref en-3] These particular facts can determine the fix for the issue, so you can run the [d1] or a similar PC repair tool, so the system files and other parts of the machine get checked for the damage.

Method 1. Remove all peripherals

“We couldn't create a new partition or locate an existing one. For more information, see the Setup log files” error may be triggered by some peripherals connected to your PC or laptop. This may be a HDD, USB, SSD, SD card, a camera, etc. Therefore, to start with, disconnect all external drives plugged in the USB port and then try to install Windows 10 again. If that did not help, then move on to other methods.

Method 2. Use diskpart

If the trick with external drive disconnection did not help, you may need to perform a bit more complicated steps to fix “We couldn't create a new partition or locate an existing one” error. The reason why you receive this error is related to the failure while setting a partition which is going to hold Windows setup files and boot files.

Therefore, to fix “We couldn't create a new partition or locate an existing one” bug you have to set the partition to which you want to install Windows as primary and this can be done using disk part utility. Here’s what you have to do:

1. Insert your USB that hold a Windows installation media and press any key to boot your PC from it.
2. If you are greeted with “We couldn't create a new partition or locate an existing one” error, close the setup and select Repair.
3. Choose Troubleshoot.
   

   

4. Select Advanced options once the options present on the window and then click Command Prompt.
   

   

   
   
5. Type diskpart in the Command Prompt window and press Enter.
6. After that, enter list disk command to receive the list of all hard drives connected to your PC.
7. Locate the value that indicates your hard drive and type select disk 1 (1 stands as an example, so type the number
8. that represents your hard drive instead).
9. Then type the following commands and hit Enter after each of them:
   disk 0 clean
   disk 0 create partition primary
   disk 0 active
   disk 0 format fs=ntfs quick
   disk 0 assign
10. Type Exit to close Command Prompt and try to install Windows 10.

Method 3. Convert the partition to fix Installation Error “We couldn't create a new partition”

• Start Command Prompt with administrative rights.
• Then enter diskpart.
  

  

• Enter list disk.
• Locate the hard drive that you want to install Windows 10 to.
• Now enter select disk X.
• Replace the X with the number that matches your hard drive.
• Type clean into Command Prompt and press Enter.
• Now enter convert gpt and run this command.