logo elektroda
logo elektroda
X
logo elektroda
Advanced Search
logo elektroda

Windows 10 Pro Installation Issue: BitLocker Encryption Hurdle on ThinkPad L580

4m4ru 9003 14
ADVERTISEMENT
Treść została przetłumaczona polish » english Zobacz oryginalną wersję tematu
Report a violation of the law
Reply | New topic
  • #1 17167857
    4m4ru
    Level 9  
    Posts: 49
    Rate: 2
    Board Language: polish
    Hi,
    I have a problem installing Windows 10 Pro on my new ThinkPad L580.
    I mixed it up a bit (I installed Ubuntu, then I deleted the Linux partition and as a result the computer doesn't see GRUB at startup and doesn't run anything).
    I have already created the Win10 installation disk. It boots me up, it is ok, but when I take the install option, a partition table appears to me:
    Name Overall size Free space Type
    Disk 0 Partition 1: SYSTEM 260MB 222MB System
    Disk 0 Partition 2 16MB 16MB IAS (Reserved)
    Disk 0 Partition 3 237,2GB 0MB System
    Disk 0 Partition 4: WinRE_DRV 1000MB 598MB retrieval


    When I choose Partition 3 I get the message:
    Quote:
    You cannot install Windows in this area of the hard disk. BitLockre disk encryption is enabled on the selected partition. Pause (disable) BitLocker in Control Panel and then restart the installation.

    You cannot install Windows on this area of the hard disk. The partition is an EFI system partition (ESP).


    What is going on?

    I will add that I don't care about any data. The computer is new and I want to clean it up and not remove any important system components ...
    In addition, I also tried to enter bootrec / fixboot from the command line, but as a result I get the message: Access is denied ....
  • ADVERTISEMENT
  • Helpful post
    #2 17167905
    Brivido
    Level 34  
    Posts: 2845
    Help: 224
    Rate: 425
    Board Language: polish
    Delete 1, 2 and 3 3 partitions, then create a new one in their place and install on it.
    Not too small is this 4?
  • ADVERTISEMENT
  • #3 17167939
    4m4ru
    Level 9  
    Posts: 49
    Rate: 2
    Board Language: polish
    So just select and remove them during installation? And it won't stick to this BitLocker?
    Will they be created automatically when installing Windy? EFI partition etc.?
    I would not like to remove too much so that I could somehow put everything on my feet ...

    I don't know if 4 is too small. That's how it came from the factory :)
  • ADVERTISEMENT
  • #4 17167955
    safbot1st
    Level 43  
    Posts: 21951
    Help: 2719
    Rate: 1583
    Board Language: polish
    Press F9 to start and use WinRE to recover the system. That's what it's for
  • #5 17167961
    4m4ru
    Level 9  
    Posts: 49
    Rate: 2
    Board Language: polish
    Well, I'm trying to read somewhere whether it is possible to boot or restore systems from this Recovery partition from the command window, because I can't get to Windows.
    F9 does not work, the "Regulatory information" screen appears.
  • #6 17167967
    safbot1st
    Level 43  
    Posts: 21951
    Help: 2719
    Rate: 1583
    Board Language: polish
    4m4ru wrote:
    F9 does not work, the "Regulatory information" screen appears.

    And F11?
  • #7 17167970
    4m4ru
    Level 9  
    Posts: 49
    Rate: 2
    Board Language: polish
    on F11 does not respond at all ...

    Because in general I can get to the console, but I don't know how to start the installation from this recovery partition ....
  • ADVERTISEMENT
  • #8 17167975
    safbot1st
    Level 43  
    Posts: 21951
    Help: 2719
    Rate: 1583
    Board Language: polish
    Try other Fs, but in that case I assume that you have damaged recovery with linux or by partitioning it. Totally normal.

    You see, in my place I would restore the linux partition and upload GRUB again.
    Thanks to this, you will probably be able to boot windows through GRUB, and linux will definitely be useful more than once.
    If you don't want GRUB or linux, then you should format the whole disk and create the system partition in the windows installer, then install "from scratch".
  • #9 17167981
    4m4ru
    Level 9  
    Posts: 49
    Rate: 2
    Board Language: polish
    Then tell me if I am thinking right:
    1. I start the Windy installation from a USB drive
    2. I delete partitions: 1, 2, 3 (I don't know if it won't stick to BitLocker here?)
    3. I continue to install as instructed (will these EFI and other partitions be created during installation? Nothing mixed up?

    Recently I installed windows, if there were no inventions like SSD or UEFI and GPT ...
    In fact, can I throw out all partitions and install EFI to create EFI, MSR, etc.? and I will possibly create a partition for a clean system image and after the installation I will shed it there to have in case of trouble?

    What about reinstalling Ubuntu - should I choose the "Install next to Win" option? I don't think I had another one there.
  • Helpful post
    #10 17167997
    safbot1st
    Level 43  
    Posts: 21951
    Help: 2719
    Rate: 1583
    Board Language: polish
    4m4ru wrote:
    What about reinstalling Ubuntu - should I choose the "Install next to Win" option? I don't think I had another one there.

    Rather yes. In Mint there is still "handmade" from what I remember.
    4m4ru wrote:
    Recently I installed windows, if there were no inventions like SSD or UEFI and GPT ...

    These were beautiful "normal" times ... ;)
    4m4ru wrote:
    In fact, can I throw out all partitions and install EFI to create EFI, MSR, etc.? and I will possibly create a partition for a clean system image and after the installation I will shed it there to have in case of trouble?

    Yes, you can start by deleting all partitions. I don't have info with Bitlocker. However, you must decide what to boot.
    Like CSM, it's MBR and NTFS partitions.
    How UEFI is GPT.
    4m4ru wrote:
    Alternatively, I will create a partition for a clean system image and after installation I will shed it there to have in case of trouble?

    At this stage, I finished my education with installing modern OS. There are guides on the network on how to prepare a recovery partition.
    I did not try.
  • #11 17168004
    4m4ru
    Level 9  
    Posts: 49
    Rate: 2
    Board Language: polish
    Hmm ... And what boils down to such a general choice?
    Quote:
    Like CSM, it's MBR and NTFS partitions.
    How UEFI is GPT.

    Since I have UEFI, it's probably the second option?
  • Helpful post
    #12 17168009
    safbot1st
    Level 43  
    Posts: 21951
    Help: 2719
    Rate: 1583
    Board Language: polish
    4m4ru wrote:
    And what does such a choice generally amount to?

    In short, to handle more larger partitions and boot faster.
    In addition to a ton of documentation, what UEFI is.
    4m4ru wrote:
    Since I have UEFI, it's probably the second option?

    You probably had it at the factory.
  • Helpful post
    #13 17168011
    arigato
    Level 28  
    Posts: 987
    Help: 81
    Rate: 85
    Board Language: polish
    If I'm not mistaken, GPT refers to the secondary partition that OS creates during installation. This requires different settings in the BIOS. It's possible that at a friend's are set as essential. And this affects the later start of the system. Only one (installed with this setting) will be running. I don't know what it would look like if you tried to install a virtual machine. There may be a problem.
    There will be CSM for MBR. This setting will probably make more sense when we choose ATA instead of AHCI for the hard disk.
  • #14 17168819
    4m4ru
    Level 9  
    Posts: 49
    Rate: 2
    Board Language: polish
    Ok, I dealt with it.
    First of all - when installing Windows, I deleted the partition with the system (there was no problem with BitLocker, I could normally delete it).
    Secondly - from the unallocated space created in this way I created a new NTFS partition and then follow the installation steps.

    After installation, the partitions are as follows:
    260MB - EFI partition
    237.23 GB - partition with Win system
    1000MB - recovery partition (currently empty) I don't know if it was left after the previous installation or when installing Windows, it cleared it, because before it had some 530MB of data and I didn't do anything with it.

    This MSR partition is not present.

    Also thanks a lot for all the help and tips.
  • #15 17169288
    safbot1st
    Level 43  
    Posts: 21951
    Help: 2719
    Rate: 1583
    Board Language: polish
    4m4ru wrote:
    1000MB - recovery partition (currently empty) I don't know if it was left after the previous installation or when installing Windows, it cleared it, because before it had some 530MB of data and I didn't do anything with it.

    Enter in CMD
    reagentc / info
    and post the result. By. for me this is not a WinRe bootable partition, only the partition where the restore points will be saved. And it is too small. "Legible" Recovery with an OS image should be ~ 3.5GB.
    I don't know how much you care how you feel about creating manual recovery. I am happy to learn, but when I look at the guides they look like a recipe for breaking the system :D :
    https://searchenterprisedesktop.techtarget.co...e-a-bootable-recovery-partition-in-Windows-10
Reply | New topic
Report a violation of the law

Topic summary

✨ The discussion revolves around a user experiencing difficulties installing Windows 10 Pro on a ThinkPad L580 after previously installing and removing Ubuntu, which led to issues with the GRUB bootloader. The user encountered a partition table during installation and sought advice on how to proceed. Responses suggested deleting existing partitions to create a new one for installation, with concerns about BitLocker encryption. Various methods to access recovery options were discussed, including using function keys (F9, F11) and command line instructions. Ultimately, the user successfully deleted the problematic partitions and created a new NTFS partition for Windows installation, resulting in a functional EFI partition and recovery setup.
Generated by the language model.

FAQ

TL;DR: Hit a BitLocker/ESP install block on a ThinkPad L580? "Recovery with an OS image should be ~3.5GB." Clean-install on GPT, delete old system partitions, then confirm WinRE with reagentc /info. [Elektroda, safbot1st, post #17169288]

Why it matters: This FAQ helps ThinkPad L580 owners and Windows installers quickly resolve BitLocker/ESP errors and validate recovery.

Quick Facts

How do I fix "BitLocker enabled" and "ESP" errors during Windows 10 setup on a ThinkPad L580?

Delete the existing Windows system partition from Setup. Create a new NTFS partition in the unallocated space. Proceed with installation. Windows will recreate needed UEFI partitions, and the install will complete without the BitLocker/ESP block. This exact approach resolved the issue for the original poster. [Elektroda, 4m4ru, post #17168819]

Will Windows recreate EFI and Recovery partitions automatically if I delete partitions?

Yes. When you install to unallocated space, Windows Setup creates a new EFI System Partition and a Recovery partition automatically. After reinstall on the L580, users reported a 260 MB EFI partition and a 1 GB recovery partition created by Setup. [Elektroda, 4m4ru, post #17168819]

Which partitions is it safe to delete in the installer?

Delete the Windows-created system areas, then create a fresh partition for installation. In this case, experts advised deleting partitions 1, 2, and 3 before creating a new target partition. "Delete 1, 2 and 3 partitions, then create a new one." [Elektroda, Brivido, post #17167905]

What key opens Lenovo recovery (WinRE) on this model?

Use F9 at startup to launch Windows Recovery (WinRE). If that fails, try F11. One expert put it plainly: "Press F9 to start and use WinRE to recover the system." [Elektroda, safbot1st, post #17167955]

F9/F11 don’t work—what now?

Recovery was likely damaged by prior Linux partitioning or changes. Use a clean Windows install from USB and let Setup rebuild partitions. As one expert advised, "format the whole disk and create the system partition in the windows installer, then install 'from scratch'." [Elektroda, safbot1st, post #17167975]

What partition layout did the L580 show before the reinstall?

The installer displayed: 260 MB EFI System, 16 MB MSR (Reserved), 237.2 GB System, and 1,000 MB WinRE_DRV. Selecting the large partition triggered BitLocker/ESP messages. This layout reflects a GPT/UEFI setup with a recovery volume. [Elektroda, 4m4ru, post #17167857]

My recovery partition is ~1 GB and looks empty. Is that normal?

A 1 GB partition may not hold a full bootable recovery image. One expert notes, "Recovery with an OS image should be ~ 3.5GB." Use reagentc /info to confirm Windows RE is enabled and path is set. [Elektroda, safbot1st, post #17169288]

How do I check if WinRE is configured after reinstall?

Open Command Prompt as admin and run: reagentc /info. Confirm Windows RE Status shows Enabled and the path points to the recovery location. This verifies that the recovery environment is properly registered after your clean install. [Elektroda, safbot1st, post #17169288]

Should I use UEFI/GPT or Legacy/MBR on the L580?

Use UEFI with GPT. It supports more and larger partitions and provides faster boot. The L580 shipped with UEFI configured from the factory, so staying with GPT aligns with the intended platform. [Elektroda, safbot1st, post #17168009]

Why does bootrec /fixboot return "Access is denied" here?

This often happens when partitions or boot files are out of place post-Linux edits. Instead of repairing, follow the simpler path: clean-install from the Windows installer, which rebuilds the boot structure and resolves access issues. [Elektroda, safbot1st, post #17167975]

I don’t see an MSR partition after reinstall—should I worry?

The system can still boot and operate without a visible MSR in Disk Management. The L580 case worked fine post-install with an EFI, the main Windows partition, and a recovery partition. Focus on stability and WinRE status. [Elektroda, 4m4ru, post #17168819]

Can I reinstall Ubuntu alongside Windows 10 after fixing this?

Yes. Use Ubuntu’s “Install alongside Windows” option to set up dual-boot. It will install GRUB and detect Windows. This avoids manual partitioning for most users and keeps both systems accessible. [Elektroda, safbot1st, post #17167997]

Step-by-step: How do I clean-install Windows 10 on GPT/UEFI after Linux?

  1. Boot the Windows 10 USB in UEFI mode and start Setup.
  2. On the partition screen, delete the existing Windows/ESP/MSR entries (e.g., 1, 2, 3).
  3. Create a new partition from unallocated space and install; Windows will add EFI and Recovery. [Elektroda, Brivido, post #17167905]

I want to keep Linux—what’s the safer boot approach?

Restore or reinstall Linux and GRUB, then let GRUB chainload Windows. This avoids tampering with Windows boot files and keeps both OSes available from one menu. It’s a practical long-term setup. [Elektroda, safbot1st, post #17167975]
Generated by the language model.
ADVERTISEMENT