Windows Set Up: "Windows Set up Pops up with a Windows could not prepare the computer to boot into the next phase of installation."

Alex Crystle 0 Reputation points
2026-08-04T17:25:17.4733333+00:00

Hello,

Been trying to install windows back into my Pc and its not letting me install in my ssd. Windows Set up Pops up with a Windows could not prepare the computer to boot into the next phase of installation. To install Windows, restart the installation.

this sends me right back to the install now window. I am using the original Windows 11 USB that came with the PC. The Partitions show Drive 0 Partition, 100 MB Total Size, 95 MB Free and is system type, Drive 0 Partition 2, 16MB size 16 MB free and MSR (reserved) Type, Drive 0 Unallocated space 11GB size and free space with no type, and Drive 0 Partition 3 920.4 G size with 894.1GB remaining Type is Primary.

I am coming off of Steam OS.

thanks in advance everyone

Windows for home | Other | Install and upgrade
0 comments

1 answer

Sort by: Newest
Most helpful Newest Oldest
  1. Levi Cornwell 175 Reputation points
    2026-08-04T18:56:40.5166667+00:00

    Since you're coming from SteamOS, you should delete all the partitions on the SSD until it shows as one large Unallocated Space, then select that space and let the Windows installer create the partitions automatically.

    If you still get the same error after that, recreate the Windows installation USB using Microsoft's Media Creation Tool, as the original USB may be outdated. Also make sure UEFI boot mode is enabled in the BIOS and CSM/Legacy Boot is disabled. Those are the most common causes of this error.

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments

Your answer

Answers can be marked as 'Accepted' by the question author and 'Recommended' by moderators, which helps users know the answer solved the author's problem.