Question "Windows could not prepare the computer to boot into the next phase of the installation" when installing Windows 11 ?

[Garfieldwxg55]

Hi, I’m doing a clean install of Windows 11, so I created a Windows 11 boot device, and proceeded to start installing Windows. However, after deleting all my drive partitions and then selecting the drive I wanted to install Windows to, I got an error which told me:

“Windows could not prepare the computer to boot into the next phase of the installation. To install Windows, restart the installation "

Does anyone know what might be causing this issue? Any help is greatly appreciated!

 

[Ralston18]

PC specs?

= = = =

How are you going about the clean install?

Recommended from this Forum:

https://forums.tomshardware.com/faq/windows-10-clean-install-tutorial.3170366

 

[Garfieldwxg55]

Hi, thanks for your help,
The PC specs are:

• Intel i9-12900k CPU
• MSI Suprim 4090 GPU,
• 32GB RAM
• ASUS ROG motherboard

I created an installation device from a Mac of mine through terminal, then I plugged it into my PC, and started installing Windows. I selected to do a clean install as I didn’t want to keep anything, as I have a very small suspicion I might have been infected with malware and I didn’t want to risk anything.
Thanks for your help, and I’ll take a look at that article

 

[DMckay99]

Hi, I’m doing a clean install of Windows 11, so I created a Windows 11 boot device, and proceeded to start installing Windows. However, after deleting all my drive partitions and then selecting the drive I wanted to install Windows to, I got an error which told me:

“Windows could not prepare the computer to boot into the next phase of the installation. To install Windows, restart the installation "

Does anyone know what might be causing this issue? Any help is greatly appreciated!

Hello,

Had the same exact issue and thought the Bios was the issue or the secure boot feature, Issue turned out to e the 2nd SSD installed was causing the issue, during the install Windows reassigns the drive letters and the installation loses the location of the drive to be installed on. Resolution: remove 2nd or all other internal / external drives and start the installatio again, should proceed smoothly. You would think in 2025 that an issue like this could be easily avoided but apparently not. Hope this helps someone