Windows installation fails in the SAFE_OS phase, usually due to installation media problems, improper disk configuration, BIOS settings conflicts, or peripheral interference. 1. Make sure to use the official source ISO files and verify their integrity with SHA-256, use Media Creation Tool or Rufus to create the installation USB drive; 2. Use DiskPart to clear the disk and let the system repartition automatically, make sure the hard disk is in GPT format and the system retains partitions large enough; 3. Enter the BIOS to update the firmware, turn off Secure Boot and Fast Boot; 4. Remove non-essential peripherals, retain only the basic input and output devices, and try to switch to integrated graphics mode. In most cases, troubleshooting in this order can resolve the problem of installation failure in the SAFE_OS phase.

Windows installation failed in the SAFE_OS phase, which usually indicates that the system encountered a problem when preparing to enter the Safe OS environment. This problem may be caused by hardware compatibility, driver conflicts, improper disk configuration, or corruption of the installation media.

Check installation media and mirror files

A common reason for installation failure is that there is a problem with the installation media itself. Especially when you are using a third-party downloaded ISO file or a homemade USB drive installation tool, the image may be incomplete or tampered with.

• Make sure the ISO you are using is downloaded from official sources, such as Microsoft's official website.
• Use a verification tool such as SHA-256 verification to confirm the image integrity.
• Use reliable tools to create and install USB drives, such as Microsoft's official Media Creation Tool or Rufus.

If you are not sure if it is a media problem, you can try changing a USB drive or re-downloading the mirror again.

Check whether the hard disk partition and format meet the requirements

The SAFE_OS phase loads critical system components, which can also cause failure if the disk structure does not comply with Windows installation specifications.

• Make sure the hard disk is in GPT partition format (GPT must be used in UEFI boot mode), not MBR.
• If you have multiple operating systems or complex partitions before, it is recommended to use DiskPart to clear all partitions before installation.
• The system reserved partition (System Reserved) should be large enough, generally at least 500MB.

Operation suggestions:

• After inserting the installation disk, enter diskpart in the command prompt interface.
• Use list disk to view the current disk.
• Enter select disk X (X is the disk number of the system you want to install).
• Execute the clean command to clear the disk (note: this will delete all data).
• Run the installer again to let the system automatically create partitions.

Update BIOS/UEFI and turn off secure boot related settings

Some motherboard firmware does not support new versions of Windows, especially older motherboards are prone to problems when upgrading to new versions of Win11 or Win10.

• Go to the BIOS and check if there are available firmware updates.
• Close Secure Boot (Safe Boot) and try to see if it can pass the SAFE_OS phase.
• Temporarily disable the Fast Boot feature.

Sometimes, although these settings do not affect daily use, they may cause the system to fail to load the necessary drivers or components normally during the installation phase.

Remove unnecessary peripherals and hardware

During installation, some external devices may cause conflicts, especially if the driver needs to be loaded when loading Safe OS.

• Unplug non-essential devices such as printers, scanners, external graphics cards, etc.
• Only keyboard, mouse and monitor connections are retained.
• If you are a dual graphics card laptop, try plugging in the power adapter and switching to integrated graphics mode.

Sometimes even devices that look OK can be a hidden source of problems.

Basically, these common investigation directions are all about these common investigations. Errors in the SAFE_OS stage are not particularly rare, but most cases can be solved by checking the installation media, cleaning the disk, adjusting the BIOS settings, etc.

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