What to do if Windows cannot find the necessary files during installation

First, recreate the installation media using the official Microsoft Media Creation Tool and ensure the USB is properly formatted and connected; second, verify BIOS/UEFI settings match the installation media’s mode (UEFI or Legacy), disable Secure Boot if needed, and set SATA mode to AHCI; third, confirm the storage drive is properly connected, and use DiskPart to clean and convert it to GPT or MBR as appropriate; fourth, test hardware including RAM with Windows Memory Diagnostic and check storage health using manufacturer tools; fifth, download a fresh Windows ISO and verify its SHA-256 hash to rule out corruption—these steps resolve most cases where Windows cannot find installation files.

If Windows cannot find the necessary files during installation, it usually points to issues with the installation media, hardware compatibility, or system configuration. Here’s what you can do to resolve the problem:

1. Check the Installation Media

The most common cause is a corrupted or improperly created installation USB/DVD.

• Recreate the installation media: Use the official Microsoft Media Creation Tool (for Windows 10/11) to generate a fresh bootable USB.
• Ensure the USB drive is working and formatted correctly (preferably FAT32).
• Try a different USB port—preferably a USB 2.0 port, as some systems have trouble booting from USB 3.0 during installation.
• If using a DVD, verify it was burned correctly and isn’t scratched or damaged.

2. Verify BIOS/UEFI Settings

Incorrect boot settings can prevent Windows from accessing installation files.

• Boot mode: Make sure the boot mode (UEFI vs Legacy/CSM) matches how the installation media was created. If the USB was made in UEFI mode, boot in UEFI; same for Legacy.
• Secure Boot: Temporarily disable Secure Boot if you're having trouble, especially on older hardware.
• Enable SATA Mode: Ensure SATA mode is set to AHCI (unless you're upgrading from an existing OS using IDE/RAID). Changing this after OS installation can cause boot issues, but during a clean install, AHCI is recommended.

3. Check Storage Drive and Connections

Windows may fail to find files if it can’t detect or access the target drive.

• Ensure the drive is connected properly: For desktops, check SATA and power cables. For laptops, confirm the SSD/HDD is seated correctly.
• Initialize the drive: In some cases, the drive may need to be initialized as GPT (for UEFI) or MBR (for Legacy). You can do this in DiskPart during installation:
  1. Press Shift F10 to open Command Prompt.
  2. Type diskpart and press Enter.
  3. Type list disk to see available drives.
  4. Select your disk: select disk X (replace X with the correct number).
  5. Type clean to wipe the disk (be careful—this deletes all data).
  6. Type convert gpt (or convert mbr if using Legacy BIOS).
  7. Exit and proceed with installation.

4. Test Hardware for Issues

Faulty hardware can cause file access problems.

• RAM: Run a memory test using tools like Windows Memory Diagnostic or MemTest86. Bad RAM can corrupt data during installation.
• Storage drive: Use manufacturer tools (e.g., Samsung Magician, WD Data Lifeguard) to check drive health. A failing drive may not be readable during setup.
• USB drive: Try a different USB flash drive—some are incompatible with certain motherboards.

5. Try a Different Installation Source

If the issue persists, the ISO file itself might be corrupted.

• Download the Windows ISO again from Microsoft’s official site.
• Verify the SHA-256 hash of the downloaded ISO (available on Microsoft’s site) to ensure integrity.
• Try installing from a different USB drive or internal DVD drive.

Basically, most of these issues come down to the installation media or system configuration. Double-check the USB creation process and BIOS settings first—they solve the majority of cases. If you're still stuck, testing with different hardware can help isolate the problem.

The above is the detailed content of What to do if Windows cannot find the necessary files during installation. For more information, please follow other related articles on the PHP Chinese website!