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FIX: Setup was unable to use the existing partition
5 min. read
Updated onOctober 4, 2023
updated onOctober 4, 2023
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Key notes
I know that many of you tried to roll back to a previous Windows version at one point or another. In this case, we are going to talk a bit about rolling back fromWindows 10to Windows 7 or Windows 8.1.
In this article, you will learn what you can do in order to fix Windows 10 and get rid of the error messageSetup was unable to use the existingpartitionbecause it does not contain the required free space.
Usually, theerror messageappears when you have additional hard drives connected to your device or thepartitionyou are trying to install Windows 10 on is not completely blank.
First of all and most importantly, you will need to create a backup copy of your current files, folders, and any other important documents to prevent any future issues before attempting the steps below.
How do I fix an existing partition that cannot be used?
1. Format the problematic partition
1.1 Format the partition using the installation media
As explained, after you made the necessary backup copy of your important data, you will need to completely format the partition you wish to install Windows 10 on.
If you don’t know how to create Windows installation media, we have anexcellent guidethat will help you do that.
You can also use dedicated software to format your partition, justlike the one recommended below.
Using this tool will be far much easier than following all of the steps mentioned above.
1.2 Format the partition using a dedicated drive management tool
Ultimately, with this specialized partition management software, you get the opportunity to manage your hard drive securely before performing a restore or backup action, thus keeping all the information intact.
2. Unplug all peripherals
Although it seems unusual, the connected peripherals can lead to this issue so unplugging them is a smart decision.
3. Remove all partitions
Some users confirmed they quickly solved this problem by removing all partitions on the drive and unplugging the USB drive so follow the steps above to do so.
4. Create a new boot partition
If nothing worked, try creating a new boot partition manually. Although this method may seem a bit complicated, follow the instruction below and you should be able to solve the problem in just a few minutes.
That’s it, the error message Setup was unable to use the existingpartitionbecause it does not contain the required free space should no longer appear on the screen.
As this issue can be easily solved by correctly partitioning your drives, check out thebest partitioning software toolsthat can help you quickly manage your drives.
If you need additional help, you can use the comments section below and we will help you further as soon as possible.
More about the topics:Fix Hard Drive issues
Ivan Jenic
Windows Hardware Expert
Passionate about all elements related to Windows and combined with his innate curiosity, Ivan has delved deep into understanding this operating system, with a specialization in drivers and driver troubleshooting.
When he’s not tackling diverse driver-related problems, Ivan enjoys watching good movies and spending time hiking with his family and friends.
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Ivan Jenic
Windows Hardware Expert
Ivan has delved deep into understanding the Windows OS, with a specialization in drivers and driver troubleshooting.
