Question:

How to fix boot issues after installing Windows 11 on a new computer with an old SSD?

I have a new computer and I want to install Windows 11 on it. I have an old SSD that I used in my previous computer and I want to keep using it. However, I encounter some problems during and after the installation process. Here are the steps I followed and the issues I faced:

• I created a bootable USB drive with Windows 11 installation files.
• I changed the BIOS settings to use UEFI mode and disabled CSM (Compatibility Support Module).
• I converted the SSD to GPT (GUID Partition Table) format using the diskpart tool.
• I proceeded with the Windows 11 installation and selected the SSD as the destination drive.
• After the installation was completed, I removed the USB drive and restarted the computer.
• The computer did not boot into Windows 11, but instead displayed a message saying “select a boot device”.
• I checked the BIOS settings and the SSD was recognized, but it was not listed as a boot option.
• I tried to reinstall Windows 11 again, but the same issue occurred.

I

have spent several hours trying to solve this problem, but nothing has worked. I need some expert advice on how to fix this and make the computer boot into Windows 11. Thank you for your help.

Answer:

If you have a new computer and you want to install Windows 11 on it, you might encounter some boot issues if you use an old SSD from your previous computer. This article will explain the possible causes of these issues and how to fix them.

What are the boot issues?

The boot issues are the problems that prevent your computer from loading Windows 11 after you install it on your SSD. You might see a message saying “select a boot device” or “no bootable device found” when you restart your computer. This means that your computer cannot find the SSD or the Windows 11 boot files on it.

What are the possible causes of the boot issues?

There are several possible causes of the boot issues, but the most common ones are:

• The SSD is not formatted as GPT (GUID Partition Table), which is required for UEFI (Unified Extensible Firmware Interface) mode.
• The BIOS (Basic Input/Output System) settings are not configured to use UEFI mode and disable CSM (Compatibility Support Module).
• The Windows 11 installation did not create the necessary boot partitions on the SSD.
• The boot order in the BIOS settings is not set to prioritize the SSD.

How to fix the boot issues?

To fix the boot issues, you need to follow these steps:

• Make sure your SSD is formatted as GPT using the diskpart tool or a third-party software. You can check the partition style of your SSD by opening Disk Management in Windows or using the list disk command in diskpart.
• Make sure your BIOS settings are configured to use UEFI mode and disable CSM. You can access the BIOS settings by pressing a specific key (such as F2, F10, or Del) when you turn on your computer. The exact steps to change the BIOS settings may vary depending on your computer model and manufacturer, so you should refer to your user manual or online support for more details.
• Make sure your Windows 11 installation created the necessary boot partitions on your SSD. You can check this by opening Disk Management in Windows or using the list partition command in diskpart. You should see at least three partitions on your SSD: a recovery partition, an EFI system partition, and a primary partition. If you do not see these partitions, you need to reinstall Windows 11 and make sure you select the correct drive and partition options during the installation process.
• Make sure your boot order in the BIOS settings is set to prioritize the SSD. You can change the boot order by accessing the BIOS settings and finding the boot menu or boot priority option. You should move the SSD to the top of the list or select it as the first boot device.

Conclusion

Installing

Windows 11 on a new computer with an old SSD can cause some boot issues if the SSD, the BIOS settings, or the Windows 11 installation are not configured properly. To fix these issues, you need to format the SSD as GPT, use UEFI mode and disable CSM, create the necessary boot partitions, and set the boot order to prioritize the SSD. By following these steps, you should be able to boot into Windows 11 and enjoy its features.