While installing Windows, some users encountered the error Windows detected that the EFI system partition was formatted as NTFS. This error terminated the Windows installation process, and users could not install Windows. If you encounter the same error while installing Windows, use these fixes to resolve the issue.
The complete error message is:
Windows detected that the EFI system partition was formatted as NTFS. Format the EFI system partition as FAT32, and restart the installation.
Windows detected that the EFI system partition was formatted as NTFS
The error “Windows detected that the EFI system partition was formatted as NTFS” usually occurs when you install Windows on a GPT disk and the EFI system partition on that disk is formatted in the NTFS file system.
The EFI system partition contains crucial operating system files and does not have a drive letter. You can view it in the Disk Management app. If this partition already exists and is formatted as NTFS, you will encounter issues while installing Windows. To fix this error, use the following fixes:
- Format the EFI system partition as FAT32
- Delete all critical partitions
Both these fixes are explained in detail below:
1] Format the EFI system partition as FAT32
The first fix is to format the EFI system partition as FAT32. First, note down the size of the system partition. While installing Windows, all the partitions are displayed, including Recovery, EFI, and other partitions. From here, you can note the size of the EFI system partition.
Press the Shift + F10 keys on the Windows installation screen to open the Command Prompt. Now, type Notepad and hit Enter. This will open the Notepad. Go to File > Open to access File Explorer directly from the Windows installation screen.
Select This PC and then select the EFI system partition. This EFI system partition should be of the same size you saw on the installation screen. Right-click on it and select Format. Select FAT32 in the File System drop-down and format the selected partition. Be careful while selecting the partition during formatting, as an incorrect selection will erase your crucial data.
Exit and close File Explorer, Command Prompt, and Notepad. Now, click on Refresh on the installation screen and proceed with the installation.
2] Delete all critical partitions
If your system has multiple partitions, including the System partition, Recovery partition, etc., it is better to delete all of them. On the installation screen, select the System partition and all other critical partitions (the partitions that do not have a drive letter and have a size typically in MB). After that, delete the partition you want to install Windows to create an unallocated space. Select the partition with an unallocated space and proceed with the Windows installation. The error should not occur this time.
That’s it.
Can an EFI system partition be NTFS?
Windows creates an EFI system partition automatically during the installation process. Its file system is FAT32. It should not be in the NTFS file system. If a previous EFI system partition exists on your system and is in the NTFS file system, you will encounter errors while installing Windows.
How to remove NTFS format?
To remove an NTFS file system, you must format that particular hard disk or partition. While formatting that partition or hard disk, select the NTFS file system from the respective drop-down and start formatting.
Read next: PC crashes during Windows installation.
