Windows 11 Will not Install error 0X800701B1

highlander · Oct 20, 2021

Hello Everyone.

I am unable to install Windows 11. It reboots and after 27% it reverts back
0X800701B1

The error doesn't really show the reason why.

I have a 980Pro NVME
All drivers up to date.
GU603HM Asus M16 Laptop.

I can't be the only one that has had this problem.

Thanks

play2mefish · Oct 20, 2021

I found this about the error however it is concerning Windows 10.

Error 0x800701B1 on Windows 10 [Solved] - Best IT Guide

How to Fix Error Code 0X800701B1 on Windows 10, Couldn't create partition or locate an existing one in Windows 10.

bestitguide.com

But I think the same thing would apply here. Another solution would be to do a clean install instead of an upgrade. Backup backup backup FIRST FIRST FIRST. Hope this helps.

zbook · Oct 20, 2021

These links may be useful for trial and error steps and reporting:

SetupDiag

SetupDiag works by examining Windows Setup log files. This article shows how to use the SetupDiag tool to diagnose Windows Setup errors.

docs.microsoft.com

Get help with Windows upgrade and installation errors - Microsoft Support

See some of the most common upgrade and installation errors for Windows 10 and Windows 11, and what you can do to try to fix them.

support.microsoft.com

Submit Windows upgrade errors using Feedback Hub

Download the Feedback Hub app, and then submit Windows upgrade errors for diagnosis using feedback hub.

docs.microsoft.com

timbobit · Oct 24, 2021

unzip the setup diag file and run it. I will create a SetupDiagResults.log wherein errors are shown.
One of my pc shows CAddBootEntry: Failure while adding the boot entry. Error: 0x800701B1[gle=0x000001b1]
I would like input on resolving this error short of clean install

HRPuffnstuff · Oct 24, 2021

I had to clean install 11 on all of my AMD based machines as none of them would upgrade. With that said I would imagine that there are going to be scenarios where the upgrade path will fail for certain hardware/software combinations that MS hasn't addressed yet just like there were when 10 was released.

highlander · Oct 24, 2021

I think i need to do a clean install but because of the huge amounts of programs and setup i really don't want to.

My main reason for upgrading is the many times i plug and unplug from external monitor and it becomes laggy or stuttery and needing a restart to fix it. This is super annoying and apparently fixed in WDDM 3.0 drivers.
I was having this main issue CAddBootEntry: Failure while adding the boot entry. Error: 0x800701B1[gle=0x000001b1]
I ended up removing my bcd entry and had to restore a clone from a previous backup. It ended up in a boot loop that wouldn't even boot on a windows 10 install usb (boot loop still with kcode error bsod). I ended up fixing it with a win 11 install usb and advanced startup repair and voila back to windows 10. but still an error.

I enabled back system restore as it was off but still an error... no matter what i do or what way i try to install win11 it wont upgrade.

timbobit · Oct 25, 2021

I used windows feedback to report the same error
You uptip the entry to quicken response

barman58 · Nov 13, 2021

If you want to retain your installed programs, just perform an inplace upgrade - instructions are in the Tutorials section

ThrashZone · Nov 13, 2021

highlander said:
I think i need to do a clean install but because of the huge amounts of programs and setup i really don't want to.

My main reason for upgrading is the many times i plug and unplug from external monitor and it becomes laggy or stuttery and needing a restart to fix it. This is super annoying and apparently fixed in WDDM 3.0 drivers.
I was having this main issue CAddBootEntry: Failure while adding the boot entry. Error: 0x800701B1[gle=0x000001b1]
I ended up removing my bcd entry and had to restore a clone from a previous backup. It ended up in a boot loop that wouldn't even boot on a windows 10 install usb (boot loop still with kcode error bsod). I ended up fixing it with a win 11 install usb and advanced startup repair and voila back to windows 10. but still an error.

I enabled back system restore as it was off but still an error... no matter what i do or what way i try to install win11 it wont upgrade.

Hi,
Maybe one or more of these many programs is interrupting the upgrade

Most common would be third party security so which of these do you use ?

Could also be os free space ?

timbobit · Nov 13, 2021

found reason for the error on two PCs Error: 0x800701B1[gle=0x000001b1]
check bcdedit the last line
A device which does not exist was specified

In my case windows boot loader item recovery seaquence { xxxxxx} does not exist
Would like input as to editing this item

DikOz · Jun 13, 2022

The same here. Running BCDEDIT /enum from the command line, the otherwise OK output ended with the error message "A device which does not exist was specified".
Often the 0X800701B1 error seems related to a USB drive. In my case, there was none. I chose to rebuild the BCD. And found a nice guide on How to Rebuild the BCD in Windows. Unfortunately, advanced options did not show a command prompt option on my SurfSurface Pro 7+. And I could not use that guide.
I happened to have a Paragon recovery disk from my laptop and after booting it showed an option to rebuild the BCD. Did that. Booted windows 10 and Windows 11 installed like it should

I presume this error is related to the SSD upgrade I did: 128g GB to 256 GB. Probably the utility I used, did not change the BCD correctly. Otherwise, I would not know what changed my BCD.

AddRAM · Jun 13, 2022

Excellent

jimbo45 · Jun 13, 2022

Hi there
Another - but a bit more long winded approach would be to create a VM and image / clone your existing Windows system into it. Now update -- VM's seem to be more successful in updating W11 these days whatever VM software you use. HYPER-V might be the best if on Windows PRO but vmware / oracle products work too. After updating W11 as a VM , now clone it back to your existing system, boot a recovery disk to install the bootloader (bcdboot) for windows 11 in the efi partition and boot. Windows should find any missing drivers -- for any missing simply load up a Windows backup image and using device manager - against each hardware device where unknown device etc is shown choose update driver from this computer, choose from the image windows\systeme2\driverstor and enable the sub directories and it's all done. !!

Cheers
jimbo

airforcechief · Jul 26, 2022

Had exact same issue as @DikOz trying to update Win 10 to 11. After getting the same results after runnin BCDEDIT /enum and getting output that ended with the error message "A device which does not exist was specified," I corrected the BCD using Paragon 17 Advanced like DikOz. Ran Win 11 update with not error. Thanks DikOz.

johntait · Oct 8, 2022

My thanks to DikOz as well. Same problem, same fix. After using Paragon 17 HD Manager Advanced to rebuild the BCD the upgrade to Win 11 ran with no problems.