Disk Partitioning
Configure automated disk management for unattended Windows deployments.
The Disk Partitioning feature on the Unattended page enables fully automated disk management during Windows installation - wiping, partitioning, and formatting drives without any user interaction.
Warning: Enabling disk partitioning means simply booting the image can erase your entire disk automatically. Always test in a virtual machine first and clearly label deployment media.
Access the Feature
- Load an image in NTLite
- Navigate to the Unattended page
- On the page toolbar (ribbon), open Configure disk. It offers two modes:
- Disk template - pick a pre-configured BIOS or UEFI layout (recommended; covers most deployments)
- Individual partition - author a custom layout partition by partition when the templates don't fit
This guide focuses on the Disk template mode.
BIOS vs UEFI Partitioning
Partition schemes differ between boot modes, and the template must match the target hardware:
UEFI Systems
- GPT partition table
- EFI System Partition (ESP) - typically 100-300 MB, FAT32
- Optional Microsoft Reserved (MSR) partition
- Recovery partition can be placed last
BIOS Systems
- MBR partition table
- No EFI System Partition required
- Simpler partition structure
Error 0x80042565: This error indicates a mismatch between the partition template type (BIOS/UEFI) and the actual boot mode. The auto-partition type cannot be universal - ensure both settings align before deployment.
Templates
NTLite provides pre-configured templates for common scenarios:
- UEFI - single partition (simple, for most modern systems)
- UEFI - multiple partitions (with recovery partition)
- BIOS - single partition
- BIOS - multiple partitions
Templates pre-fill the install partition size so the recovery partition is placed last. Choose the template that matches your target hardware and boot mode.
Best Practices
- Always test in a virtual machine before deploying to real hardware
- Verify the target boot mode (BIOS/UEFI) before selecting a partition template
- Back up important data - automated partitioning erases the target disk
- Clearly label deployment media to avoid accidental disk erasure