Editing Windows Installation (section)

=== Can't create a new partition or locate an existing one ===

'''Error'''

Error: "We couldn't create a new partition or locate an existing one." on the '''Where do you want to install Windows?''' prompt.

'''Cause'''

The installer is having difficulty installing from the flash drive.

'''Solution'''

Create a partition on the hard drive and copy the Windows install files there. <ref>[https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum/windows_10-windows_install/we-couldnt-create-a-new-partition-or-locate-an/acdb1dae-01d9-44f7-846c-433e5addcfc2?auth=1 We couldn't create a new partition or locate an existing one.] -- answers.microsoft.com</ref>

* Plug the flash drive with the installer on it into an USB port. 
* Boot from the flash drive.
* At the '''Where do you want to install Windows?''' screen displaying the error message press <kbd>Shift</kbd> + <kbd>F10</kbd> to get a command prompt.

<pre>
> diskpart
> list disk
> select disk 0
> clean
> create partition primary size=5000
> format fs=ntfs quick
> assign
> active
> list volume
> exit
> cd c: 
> xcopy e: c:/e/h/k
> exit
</pre>

* `select disk 0` selects the hard drive onto which the installation files will be copied.
* `create partition` makes a partition on the hard drive where the installation files can be copied.
* `assign` assigns a drive letter to the new partition.
* `xcopy` copies the installation file from the USB drive to the hard drive.
* The last `exit` closes the command prompt window.

* After closing the command prompt, remove the USB flash drive and click the '''X''' button at the top right of the Windows installation window to close the current installation and reboot the computer.
** Without a mouse, click <kbd>Esc</kbd>, the confirm to quit the installation. If this leads back to the first window of the Windows installation, click <kbd>Esc</kbd> again, and again confirm that the installation will be canceled.
* The computer should now boot from the hard drive and the installation will use the files from the new partition.