[Solved] We Couldn't Format the Selected Partition 0x8004242d

Failed to format the selected partition. error: 0x8004242d

"I just can't get past the formatting attempt when trying to format my HDD for a clean install of Windows 10. Windows says 'Failed to format the selected partition. error: 0x8004242d', how to fix it?"

We couldn't format the selected partition

Besides the error message 'Failed to format the selected partition with error code 0x8004242d', there is another similar trouble that prevents people from installing a Windows operating system from scratch, it's 'we couldn't format the selected partition 0x80070057'.

What are the causes? Be clear that such format failure usually suggests your setup disk has corrupted, Windows is incompatible with a mass storage controller or a mass storage driver, a mass storage controller or a mass storage driver is outdated, a data cable in the computer is loose, hardware issues have occurred, or it's only because the hard disk on which you want to install Windows OS is a dynamic disk.

How to Fix 'Failed to Format the Selected Partition' with Error Code 0x8004242d/0x80070057

After figuring out the reasons that stop people formatting the disk partition for Windows 10/8/7 installation, it's time to find the best solutions that can help fix the format error 0x8004242d/0x80070057 without much effort.

Solution 1. Convert dynamic disk to basic disk with EaseUS Partition Master

Since Windows cannot be installed on this disk dynamic, it sends error when trying to format the partition to install. So, you can download EaseUS at the first attempt to convert dynamic disk to basic disk, and then format the selected partition without any trouble.

Step 1. Launch EaseUS Partition Master, and go to its main screen.

Step 2. Right-click the dynamic disk and choose "Convert to basic disk".
Or select dynamic disk which you want to Convert to basic disk on the disk map, Disk becomes available on the toolbar. Click "Disk" and choose "Convert to basic disk".

Step 3. Click "Apply" to convert dynamic disk to basic disk.

After changing dynamic disk to a basic disk, you can proceed formatting process with EaseUS Partition Master, or just go back to install the Windows OS.

Guide: format partition with EaseUS Partition Master to fix 'failed to format the selected partition' error.

Solution 2. Clean disk with Diskpart.exe utility

Cleaning disk by using Diskpart would solve the format error, however, all the partitions and data on the disk will be permanently removed. Backup the drive if the data is used.

Step 1. Launch a Command Prompt as administrator.
Step 2. Type the command: diskpart into the Command Prompt window, and press Enter.
Step 3. Type the command: list disk and press Enter.
Step 4. Examine the output of the command to identify the number of the disk you want to clean. Once you feel certain about the disk number, type the command: select disk # (replace the # with the number of the disk you are going to clean).
Step 5. Type: clean and press Enter. This will erase all data on the selected disk!
Step 6. When 'diskpart succeeded in cleaning the disk' appears, you've wiped the disk partition. Close the Command Prompt to continue installing Windows OS on the disk.