Failed to Format the Selected Partition (Error 0x8004242d)

If that doesn’t work, you should attempt the same operation with DiskPart. This utility will resolve any incompatibility or corruption caused by the mass controller storage or the mass storage driver.

Fix: Failed to Format the Selected Partition Error 0x8004242d

Formatting a hard drive is necessary for many reasons. Many people use it to clear their disk of all data, to reinstall a new operating system such as Windows 10, and for many other reasons. However, sometimes errors can occur during the formatting process. In this article, we’ll show you how to fix partition formatting problems with DiskPart. We also recommend third-party software to help you simplify and speed up the process.

As mentioned earlier, formatting a disk or partition can cause errors. This can be the error code 0x8004242d. It usually indicates a damaged installation hard drive, outdated storage device driver, improperly connected data cables, hardware problems, etc. etc. It is usually a formatting error.

When we are dealing with this problem, the main concern is not where it is coming from, but allowing us to continue formatting. Here is how to fix the “Format error of the selected partition”.

Reasons for error 0x8004242d: Failed to format selected partition or failed to format selected partition:

• A corrupted file system error has occurred on the installation hard drive.
• Windows is incompatible with the storage controller or drive driver.
• The storage controller or storage device driver is out of date.
• The computer’s data cable is loose.
• The hard disk on which you want to install the Windows operating system is a dynamic hard disk.

Table of Contents:

Converting a dynamic drive to a basic drive

• Some users may need to convert their disks to a basic disk to fix error 0x8004242d. To do this, first make a backup of the dynamic disks you need to convert to basic disks (you will delete them).
• Press Windows + R to open Run.
• Type diskmgmt.msc in the Open field of the Run window and click OK.
• In the “Disk Management” window, the “Type” column indicates whether the volumes are simple or dynamic. From there, right-click each dynamic volume and select Delete Volume.
• Then right-click on the disk and select “Convert to Basic Disk”.

Updated: May 2023

This tool is highly recommended to help you fix your error. Plus, this tool offers protection against file loss, malware, and hardware failures, and optimizes your device for maximum performance. If you already have a problem with your computer, this software can help you fix it and prevent other problems from recurring:

• Step 1 : Install the PC Repair and Optimizer Tool. (Windows 10, 8, 7, XP, Vista).
• Step 2 : Click Start Scan to determine what problems you are experiencing with your computer.
• Step 3 : Click Repair Allto resolve all problems.

Delete all partitions

In most cases, this problem is caused by a corrupted master boot record. Either the extra partition needed by Windows is missing or it is corrupted.

Several affected users who are also experiencing this problem have reported that they were finally able to solve the problem by booting from the installation media and deleting each partition instead of trying to format them first.

This won’t be a problem if you’re planning a completely clean install anyway, but it will make up for the total loss of data in situations where you wanted to avoid deleting every partition.

Fortunately, if you want to back up your data safely, you can use Windows System Image Backup before following the instructions below. To do so, follow these instructions to back up your system image.

Disable UEFI boot support

The 0x8004242d error can also occur when UEFI boot support is enabled on systems that support both the old BIOS boot mode and UEFI boot mode. To solve this problem, you need to press a BIOS setup key (such as F2, F4, F6, etc.) Immediately after turning on your desktop or laptop. Select the “Boot” tab when you are in the BIOS settings. Then select the UEFI / BIOS boot mode option to select Legacy (BIOS) instead of UEFI.

Clean your hard drive with Diskpart.exe

In fact, this problem can also be caused by an incompatible or damaged storage controller or storage device driver. If this scenario applies, the best way to solve the problem is to first clean the hard disk with Diskpart.exe and then try to run the Windows Installer again.

Keep in mind, however, that you will need a compatible installation media to perform the following steps. Several affected users have confirmed that it finally allows them to format partitions without the selected partition failing to format (error 0x8004242d).

• Insert the installation media that is compatible with your version of Windows and reboot the computer.
• Immediately after the boot screen disappears, you will be asked if you want to boot from the installation media. To do this, press any key.
• When you get to the installation media welcome screen, click “Restore Computer” in the lower left corner of the screen.
• When you get to the next menu, first click Troubleshooting in the list of available options. Then click Command Prompt in the list of additional options.
• Once you get to the CMD command line with elevated privileges, first of all type “diskpart” and press Enter to open the Diskpart tool.
• Once you open the Diskpart utility, type the following command and press Enter to display a list of all available hard drives.
• List of Hard Disks
• You should now see a hard drive with hard drives. If you have more than one, use its size to determine the cause of the error you are trying to fix.
• Once you have determined which drive is causing the problem, enter the following command and press Enter to select the correct hard drive:
• salt disk * number *
• Then enter the following command and press Enter to make sure the correct drive is selected:
• Det drive
• After making sure that the correct disk is selected, type the following command and press Enter to begin cleaning the hard disk with Diskpart:
• clear all
• When the process is complete, enter the following command and press Enter to exit the tool in the usual way:
• exit
• Close the command prompt window, reboot your computer, and return to the disk selection screen. This time you shouldn’t have any more problems installing or merging partitions correctly.

Here are some of the confirmed methods to fix partition error 0x8004242d. Be careful with permissions one and two, as both will erase data from the selected disk or volume.

Failed to Format the Selected Partition (Error 0x8004242d)

The Failed to format the selected partition (Error 0x8004242d) is encountered when the user tries to format, merge or install the OS on a drive using the installation media for Windows 7, Windows 8.1 and Windows 10. Most affected users encountering this issue are trying to clean install their OS, but this error prevents them from doing so.

Error 0x8004242d. Failed to format the selected partition

In most cases, you will see this issue occurring due to some kind of inconsistency with the Master Boot Record. It’s either a missing file or some type of file corruption. But regardless of the origin, you can most likely fix it by deleting all partitions instead of trying to reformat them.

If that doesn’t work, you should attempt the same operation with DiskPart. This utility will resolve any incompatibility or corruption caused by the mass controller storage or the mass storage driver.

There’s also a rare scenario in which this issue will occur due to a conflict between BIOS and UEFI settings. This last one can be resolved by disabling USB Boot support while the installation is taking place.

How to fix the ‘Failed to format the selected partition’ (Error 0x8004242d) issue?

Solution 1: Deleting all partitions

In most cases, this issue will occur due to some type of corruption inside the Master Boot Record. Either the extra partition that Windows needs is missing or it has become tainted by corruption.

Several affected users that we’re also encountering this issue have reported that they were finally able to fix the issue by booting from the installation media and deleting every partition instead of trying to format them first.

This will not cause any problems if you were planning on doing a completely clean install anyways, but it fill facilitate total data loss in situations where you were hoping to avoid deleting every partition.

Fortunately, you can use the Windows System Image backup before going through the instructions below if you want to backup your data safely.

Once your important data is backed up, follow the instructions below to delete every available partition in order to fix the Failed to format the selected partition (Error 0x8004242d) issue:

1. Insert a compatible installation media and restart your computer. After the initial starting screen, your computer will ask you whether you want to boot from the installation media, to do this, press any key.
   Press any key to boot from installation media Note: In case you don’t have a valid installation media for your Windows version, here’s how to create one. Keep in mind that if you want to install from a USB flash, you might need to modify the boot order to include booting from USB.
2. After you manage to successfully boot from the installation media, click on Install now and move forward with the initial installation steps until you get to the partitioning stage. Clicking on Install Windows Note: You will need to input a valid key, then select the appropriate version that you are trying to install. And finally, you will need to accept the License Agreement.
3. When you get to the next prompt, click on Custom: Install Windows only (advanced). Install Windows only
4. Now once you get to the partitioning part, start selecting each partition individually and then click on Delete. When asked to confirm the operation, click Yes. Do this systematically until you are left with a single Drive (0) of Unallocated Space. Deleting all partitions
5. Now you should be able to create new partitions however you want without encountering the same error. Do this and see if you can complete the installation.

In case you’re still encountering the same Failed to format the selected partition (Error 0x8004242d) issue, move down to the next potential fix below.

Solution 2: Cleaning the Hard Disk with Diskpart.exe

As it turns out, this issue can also occur due to an incompatible or corrupted mass storage controller or a mass storage driver. If this scenario is applicable, your best chance of fixing the issue is by Diskpart.exe to clean the disk first and then trying to run the Windows Setup installation again.

But keep in mind that you will need a compatible installation media in order to complete the steps below. Several affected users have confirmed that his operation finally allowed them to format partitions without encountering the Failed to format the selected partition (Error 0x8004242d).

Here’s a quick guide on how to do this:

1. Insert an installation media that’s compatible with your Windows version and restart your computer.
2. Right after the initial screen goes away, you should be asked if you want to boot from the installation media. Do so by pressing any key. Press any key to boot from installation media
3. Once you arrive at the initial screen of the installation media, click on Repair my Computer from the bottom-left section of the screen. Select ‘Repair my computer’ Note: If you’re encountering the issue on Windows 10, you can also force your way into the Recovery menu by forcing 3 consecutive machine interruptions (powering off your computer during the booting sequence).
4. After you manage to arrive at the next menu, start by clicking on Troubleshoot from the list of available options. Next, click on Command Prompt from the list of sub-options of Advanced options. Click Command Prompt
5. Once you’re inside the elevated CMD prompt, start by typing “diskpart” and pressing Enter to call upon the Diskpart tool. Opening the Diskpart tool
6. With the Diskpart utility opened, type the following command and press Enter to list all of the available hard disks.

list disk

sel disk *number*

det disk

clean all

exit

In case you’re still encountering the same Failed to format the selected partition (Error 0x8004242d) error even after following the guide above, move down to the next potential fix below.

Solution 3: Disabling USB Boot Support

Another potential culprit that might end up triggering this issue is some sort of conflict between the legacy setup (BIOS) and the new counterpart (UEFI). As it turns out, a newer machine that includes both might end up facilitating the apparition of the Failed to format the selected partition (Error 0x8004242d) error in case of UEFI Boot Support is enabled.

In this case, you will be able to fix the issue by restarting your computer and disabling the UEFI Boot Support by entering the BIOS Configuration Settings menu. A lot of affected users have confirmed that this operation was successful in their case.

Here’s what you need to do:

1. Power on your computer and start pressing the Setup key as soon as the initial startup key comes up. Press the key repeatedly until you find yourself inside the BIOS menu. Pressing the setup key Note: On most configurations, the Setup key is one of the F keys (F2, F4, F6, F8, and F10) or the Del key. If it’s not displayed on the screen, search online for specific steps on accessing your BIOS settings.
2. Once you’re inside your BIOS settings menu, access the BOOT tab and ensure that UEFI Boot Support is Disabled.
3. After this modification is applied, save the modifications and see if the issue has been resolved by repeating the action that was previously causing the Failed to format the selected partition (Error 0x8004242d) issue.
4. If you manage to complete the Windows installation, you can then reverse engineer the steps above and re-enable UEFI Boot support.

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Solved: Failed to format the selected partition Error: 0x8004242d

Formatting your hard disk drive is essential for many reasons. Many use this to rid their drive of all the data, for a clean install of a new OS like Windows 10 and many other reasons. However, sometimes you might encounter errors regarding the formatting process. In this article, we will show you how you can solve partition formatting problems with the use of DiskPart. We’ll also recommend some third-party software you can use to make the process easier and faster.

Overview of the Error: 0x8004242d

As previously mentioned, you may encounter errors while trying to format a drive or partition. This may be in the error code 0x8004242d. This usually indicates a corrupted setup disk, outdated mass storage driver, improperly plugged in data cables, issues with hardware, etc. Generally, this is a formatting failure.

When dealing with this problem, the primary concern is not to find out where the problem is coming from but to allow us to proceed with the format. Here’s how you can fix ‘Failed to Format the Selected Partition’.

Causes of failed to format the selected partition Error: 0x8004242d

Let’s see some of the reasons for the occurrence of error 0x8004242d:

1. The data cable of your computer is loose.
2. The setup disk has a corrupted file system error.
3. The mass storage controller or a mass storage driver of your computer is outdated.
4. Your system’s Windows is incompatible with a mass storage controller or a mass storage driver.
5. The hard disk to install Windows OS on is a dynamic disk.

• Solution 1: Deleting all partitions
• Solution 2: Use DiskPart utility to clean disk
• Solution 3: Use a third-party partition software
• Solution 4: Format Partition during Window Installation Process
• Solution 5: Disabling USB Boot Support

Solution 1: Deleting all partitions

The most common reason for this issue is the Master Boot Record of the drive encountered corruption. When installing Windows, the installer can’t locate the needed partition correctly. However, quite a few users have solved this issue by deleting all partitions.

Thus, you can also try to fix this issue by deleting each partition one by one when booting from the installation media rather than formatting it. Note that before doing this, back up all of the important data. If you happened to delete all partition and lost some important data, don’t worry, you can still resort to the professional data recovery software to get deleted data back.

Wondershare Recoverit is capable of recovering lost data from deleted or damaged partitions with ease. With 3 simple steps, you can get all data back.

First, download and install the software. Launch it and select any partition for scanning. With the scanning done, check the data you want to keep and click the Recover button to save them. Note that save the recovered data on an external drive in case of overwriting the old data.

Solution 2: Use DiskPart utility to clean disk

1. Open Command Prompt by typing it in the Search bar or typing cmd in the Run tool.
2. In the command line, type in diskpart and hit Enter.
3. Type in list disk and hit Enter.
4. The window will show you a list of active disks. Determine the disk number of the disk you want to fix.
5. Type in select disk # (# stands for the disk number, replace it with whatever disk you’re going to work with)
6. Type in clean and hit Enter to delete the data in your chosen disk.
7. Once the process is finished, you’ve already deleted all the data within the partition.
8. Exit Command Prompt and proceed with the installation of your Windows.

Solution 3: Use a third-party partition software

Here is ten of the best third-party partition management software you can download for free on your computer.

AOMEI Partition Assistant

Active Partition Manager

GParted

Cute Partition Manage

Macrorit Partition Expert

Paragon Partition Manager

IM-Magic Partition Resizer

Tenorshare Partition Manager

Solution 4: Format Partition during Window Installation Process

To fix the selected partition error 0x8004242d, you can choose to delete all the partitions first, create a new partition, and ultimately format the partition. To do so:

1. Run the Windows installation setup program, click on “Install Now,” tick the box of “I accept the terms of the license,” and hit “Next.”
2. Click on “Custom (advanced),” choose the partition, and click on “Delete.”
3. Delete the present partition on the end disk.
4. Click on “Create new partition” to generate a new one, select the new partition, and click on “Format.”

Solution 5: Disabling USB Boot Support

Another potential cause of failing to format the selected partition error may be some conflict between the legacy setup (BIOS) and the new counterpart (UEFI). The new computers, which might include both, might end up facilitating the apparition of the Failed to format the selected partition (Error 0x8004242d) error in case of UEFI Boot Support is enabled.

So, in this situation, to fix the error, you can try restarting your computer and disabling the UEFI Boot Support by entering the BIOS Configuration Settings menu. Most of the time, this method has been reported successful for such error. Now, after restarting your computer, power on your computer. Then as soon as the initial startup key comes up, start pressing the Setup key. It would be best if you kept pressing it repeatedly until you find yourself inside the BIOS menu. Generally, the Setup key is one of the F keys (F2, F4, F6, F8, and F10) or the Del key. However, if it’s not displayed on the screen, you can search online for specific steps on accessing your BIOS settings.

Now, once you’re inside your BIOS settings menu, go to the BOOT tab and ensure that the UEFI Boot Support is Disabled. After you have modified it, save the modifications and check if the issue has been resolved by repeating the previously caused Failed to format the selected partition (Error 0x8004242d) issue.

If you manage to complete the Windows installation, you can also reverse engineer the process and re-enable UEFI Boot support.

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