1

I have a SeaGate Hard Disk (with 4TB capacity) which has the code number ST4000VX000-1F4168 (Surveillance HDD). I am trying to install Windows 7 in it and Windows 7 only detects 2TB capacity and not 4TB.

So, I followed the details explained in this link, I connected the 4TB Hard Disk to another computer as a secondary HDD.Then followed the details from the link above to make it GPT. Then the computer detected the 4TB. So I created 4 partitions (1TB each). Then connected the 4TB HDD back to the original computer and this time Windows 7 says it cannot install Windows on GPT partitions.

Then I followed the instructions on this YouTube video. This cleared the GPT partitions and removed all four partitions created. I was able to install Windows 7 but it could not be partitioned into four drives.

What I like to know is how to install Windows 7 on 4TB HDD (partition into four drives)? If I install Windows 10 instead of Windows 7, will it detect 4TB and will I be able to partition into four drives and install Windows 10?

Improve this question

1 Answer 1

Reset to default
4

You will need a motherboard that support UEFI! If you already have such a motherboard, then Windows OS must be 64-bit in order to be successfully installed on the 4 TB HDD (regardless of the OS version itself). Finally, you must start Windows setup in UEFI mode.

If you don't have these specific requirements, you won't be able to use the full capacity with the 4 TB HDD as a boot/primary drive. However, non-UEFI mobos can use massive HDDs (above 2TB, initialized in GPT) as secondary storage drives. This means that you should be able to access the full capacity if you use a different HDD or SSD for booting the operating system. Your other option would be to upgrade the motherboard to a UEFI-based one.

Improve this answer
5
  • 4
    1 note: 64Bit is required for Vista and Win7. Since Win8, also the 32Bit Windows supports UEFI boot.
    – magicandre1981
    Commented Jun 17, 2016 at 15:01
  • @SuperSoph_WD and @magicandre1981 - My motherboard is DH55HC. In the BIOS it did have an option to enable UEFI. I enabled it and still the same result. No changes. Does my Motherboard support UEFI?
    – Codename K
    Commented Jun 17, 2016 at 20:44
  • 2
    @CodenameK at start where the BIOS info are shown, look if you have an option to open a boot manager and select here UEFI boot for the DVD/flash drive with the setup files of Windows.
    – magicandre1981
    Commented Jun 19, 2016 at 7:55
  • 1
    @magicandre1981 - It worked. I created a UEFI bootable USB drive with Windows setup in it. And then set the motherboard from BIOS to load from USB. This did the trick. Thanks for your help. Thanks to you too @SuperSoph_WD.
    – Codename K
    Commented Jun 19, 2016 at 14:32
  • 3
    There are a couple of tools to add EFI capabilities to an old "real" BIOS -- DUET and Clover. The first is intended as a developer's tool and the second is primarily a Hackintosh boot loader, so neither is easy to use for something like the stated situation. Fortunately, most PCs sold since 2011 have EFIs, not old-style BIOSes. I mention this only for completeness and the benefit of future readers, since Codename K seems to have gotten it to work and doesn't need this information.
    – Rod Smith
    Commented Jun 23, 2016 at 18:48

You must log in to answer this question.

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged .