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- if you want to install any version of Windows on large disk (bigger than 2TB) start your PC from UEFI, not from conventional BIOS boot. Otherwise you will be able after installation to use only 2TB from for example 3 or 4TB hdd.
- sometimes previous OEM repair service partitions, or linux/unix partitions cannot be removed from HDD by windows GUI, in this case just do following (NEVER DO IT ON HDD WITH DATA, after “clean” command whole disk (all partitions) will be erased ! ):
diskpart list disk select disk 0 clean
(if you install fresh windows – during booting from distributive iso/DVD press Shift-F10 to open cmd and run diskpart to clean HDD from any garbage)
- if you have several HDDs in your PC – detach all other hdd before installation, except the disk where you are installing windows (better if this disk is empty, if you cannot delete second partition with DATA – then make sure that windows installer creates new Reserved System partition). Otherwise you will finish with spread system files across several HDDs.
- If you have Windows installation with spread system files, for example hdd with DATA has accidently boot folder and MBR, and marked as active, but windows directory and other system files located on other hdd — then you can
- detach/remove from computer DATA hdd, leave only hdd with windows folder and other files.
- boot from windows USB disk (or from windows distributive DVD)
- after selection of language press shift-F10 and in cmd console run following commands:
diskpart list disk select disk 0 active bootrec /fixmbr bootrec /fixboot bootrec /rebuildbcd
- Restart your PC.
- attach DATA disk thru USB adapter on working Windows and run diskpart again and remove if necessary from DATA disk active boot mark, and better to remove all unnecessary now folders (boot) and other boot related files from this DATA disk.
- reboot, enter BIOS and choose correct boot HDD
ps
You may also find useful EasyBCD if you have dual boot system.