[2024] Three Ways to Convert MBR to GPT Disk on Windows 11/10

Updated by

Linda 

Written by

Linda 

Last updated on April 22, 2024

"How can I best convert the disk partition format without losing data from unformatted partitions?"

Are you overwhelmed with information about “MBR to GPT conversion” while searching? In this article, we will delve into how to convert MBR to GPT using third-party partition tools, Disk Management, and diskpart in detail.

If you choose the built-in tools of Windows, both methods require deleting existing disk partitions. To avoid data loss, it is recommended to use the more professional Partition Master Professional, which can easily convert partition styles in only 3 steps.

When might you need to convert MBR to GPT? You may need to convert a Master Boot Record (MBR) disk to a GUID Partition Table (GPT) disk in the following situations: 1. **Disks larger than 2TB**: The MBR format supports a maximum of 2TB (2,048GB) of hard drive space. If you have a hard drive exceeding this capacity, you'll need to use GPT to fully utilize its storage potential. 2. **Windows 10/8/8.1 installations**: It's recommended to use GPT disks when installing these versions of Windows in UEFI mode, as MBR is more compatible with traditional BIOS, while GPT is designed to work with UEFI. 3. **System stability improvement**: GPT offers more redundancy and fault recovery mechanisms, so converting to GPT might enhance system stability and reliability in certain cases. 4. **Multiple operating systems**: If you plan to install multiple operating systems on one computer, GPT allows for more partitions, which can be advantageous in a multi-system environment. 5. **Hardware or technology compatibility**: Some newer hardware or technologies, such as Intel Rapid Start Technology and Thunderbolt, might require the use of GPT disks. 6. **Disaster recovery**: GPT disks have two separate boot loaders, increasing the likelihood of data recovery in case of disk damage. Before converting your disk type, make sure to back up important data, as the process could potentially result in data loss.

MBR and GPT are both partition styles used by Windows. In simple terms, the partition style tells Windows how to access data on a disk. Most of the time, you can use a disk just fine regardless of its partition style. However, there may be situations where you need to convert from MBR to GPT or vice versa:

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Do you want to create more partitions on the hard drive?

An MBR disk only supports four partition table entries, meaning it allows a maximum of four primary partitions. If more partitions are needed, an additional structure called an extended partition is required.

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Your hard disk drive is larger than 2 TB

GPT is more robust, and it allows for volumes larger than 2 TB. As such, if your drive is greater than 2 TB in size, you might prefer to use the GPT partition style to take full advantage of your disk space. (With a disk larger than 2 TB, you can use no more than 2 TB of storage with the traditional MBR scheme.)

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Do you want to perform a system clone?

As you know, MBR and GPT disks use different boot modes (MBR disks support BIOS, while GPT disks support UEFI mode). When cloning Windows or migrating an OS, you need to make sure that both the source disk and target disk have the same partition style to ensure that your computer can boot from the target disk without issue.

3 Ways to Convert MBR to GPT without Data Loss in Windows 11/10

As mentioned above, there are 3 ways to convert MBR disk to GPT, including using Disk Management, DiskPart commands, or 3rd party software.

Method 1: Convert MBR to GPT with a Reliable Partitioning Tool (Fast and Data Loss-Free)

If you use either the built-in Windows Disk Management tool or diskPart to convert an MBR disk to GPT, all existing volumes on the disk will be deleted. Thus, if you want to convert an MBR disk to GPT without data loss, you need to back up the entire disk in advance, which can be time-consuming, as disks often store billions of files.

With that said, we recommend trying a reliable disk partition tool – AOMEI Partition Assistant. This software can help you convert an MBR disk to GPT without data loss directly. With AOMEI Partition Assistant, there's no need to delete the disk volume via Disk Management or DiskPart. All you need to do is select the disk and choose “Convert to GPT Disk”.

Step-by-step guide:

Step 1. Download and launch the Partition Master tool on your computer.

Step 2. Launch Disk Converter and select “Convert MBR to GPT,” then click “Next” to proceed.

Step 3: Select the MBR disk that you want to convert to GPT, and click "Convert" to start the conversion.

Video Tutorial Guide: How to Convert MBR to GPT

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MBR to GPT Conversion: How to Do It in Windows 10/8/7 [New Method in 2023]

Are you looking for a reliable way to convert MBR to GPT in Windows 11/10/8/7? Here, you'll get three practical methods to change MBR to GPT and fix the "Windows cannot be installed to this disk. The selected disk has an MBR partition table" error.

Method 2: Convert MBR to GPT Disk with Disk Management

Before conversion, you need to remove all volumes on the disk, otherwise "Convert to GPT Disk" will be disabled in Disk Management. Thus, if there are files on the disk you want to convert, back up all the files first. Generally, you can manually copy and paste files and folders to back up the disk, which will undoubtedly take a long time. If you want to back up efficiently, you can use a free backup software - tools Todo Backup, which is much faster than copying and pasting files.

After ensuring data safety, you can convert an MBR disk to GPT via Disk Management with the following steps:

Step 1: Right-click "This PC", select "Manage", and then enter "Disk Management".

Step 2: Right-click on the volume present on the target disk and select "Delete Volume". If you have accidentally deleted a volume, refer to the linked article to recover the partition and files on it.

Step 3: When the disk is empty (displayed as Unallocated), right-click it and choose Convert to GPT Disk.

Now you have successfully converted the MBR disk to GPT. To use the disk for data storage, you need to create new volumes on the disk. (If you used a partition tool, you might not need to do this and can instead proceed to use the disk directly after conversion.)

Step 1 Right-click the unallocated space and select "New Simple Volume…"

Step 2: You should now see the New Simple Volume Wizard. Click Next to continue.

Step 3. Specify the size of the volume, assign a drive letter or path, and format the partition. A new Simple Volume will be created. You can repeat this process to create more partitions on the disk.

Step 4: Copy the backup files back to the hard drive as needed.

Method 3: Convert an MBR disk to a GPT disk using DiskPart

DiskPart is a command-line tool in Windows used for managing disks or disk partitions. Hence, you can also use this utility to convert an MBR disk to GPT. However, similar to using Disk Management, you need to delete volumes on the disk before converting, which means backing up your data is necessary if you choose this method.

Step 1: Click the "Start" button, and then type cmd.

Step 2: Right-click Command Prompt, and select Run as administrator.

Step 3: If you see a dialog asking for your permission, click Yes.

• diskpart
• list disk
• select disk 1
• clean

If you accidentally clean the partition, you can undo DiskPart clean operation to get back your files.

Step 5: With the partitions deleted, you can now convert the MBR to GPT:

• List disks
• Select disk 1
• Convert to GPT format
• Exit

Bottom line

Actually, the major difference between using built-in Windows tools and third-party software lies in whether deleting disk partitions is required. As mentioned above, using a partitioning program that works as an MBR to GPT converter is the easiest way to convert an MBR disk to GPT. Plus, the tool can help you clone disks, merge partitions, shrink partitions, migrate OS, and more. If you want to convert the system disk from MBR to GPT, it's recommended to use a handy tool.

Frequently Asked Questions About Converting MBR to GPT 1. What is MBR? MBR (Master Boot Record) is the traditional disk partitioning scheme used to store boot information and the partition table. It supports up to four primary partitions or three primary partitions plus one extended partition. 2. What is GPT? GPT (GUID Partition Table) is a more modern partitioning format that replaces MBR. GPT supports a larger number of partitions (up to 128) and offers better fault tolerance and security. 3. Why do I need to convert from MBR to GPT? MBR disks have a maximum capacity of 2TB, while GPT can support larger hard drives. Additionally, GPT provides better compatibility and stability with UEFI systems, making it suitable for large disks and modern computers. 4. How can I tell if my disk is MBR or GPT? You can use disk management tools (such as Windows Disk Management) or third-party disk checking software to view the partition type of your disk. 5. How do I convert MBR to GPT? In Windows, you can use the "Disk Management" tool along with the "diskpart" command-line utility for the conversion. First, back up important data, then delete all partitions, and finally use the "convert gpt" command to change an MBR disk to GPT. 6. Will I lose data during the conversion? Yes, converting from MBR to GPT requires deleting all existing partitions, leading to data loss. Make sure to back up important files before the conversion. 7. What's the difference between MBR and GPT in BIOS vs. UEFI? MBR is mainly compatible with traditional BIOS systems, while GPT works with UEFI (Unified Extensible Firmware Interface) systems. UEFI offers faster boot times and advanced security features. 8. Can I convert MBR to GPT on a running system? It's not recommended, as the process usually involves deleting all data and carries some risks. It's best to perform the conversion on a secondary system or using installation media. 9. If I encounter issues after the conversion, how can I revert to the original MBR? If problems arise, you might need to reinstall the operating system. Ensure you have a full system backup before converting, so you can restore if necessary. 10. Is GPT more secure than MBR? GPT has redundant partition tables, allowing recovery if one table is damaged. This makes GPT theoretically more secure. However, security also depends on other factors, such as antivirus protection and user behavior.

If you have more questions about converting MBR to GPT, please refer to the following frequently asked questions and answers:

< strong > 1. Can I convert MBR to GPT without formatting? < / strong >

Yes, you can convert MBR to GPT without formatting by using reliable disk conversion software like Partition Master.

Its disk conversion feature can help you successfully switch between MBR and GPT without deleting volumes or formatting. You can simply follow the guide in Method 1 on this page.

2. How to convert MBR to GPT without OS?

• Launch Partition Master and go to “Disk Conversion”。 • Select “Convert to GPT” and choose the target MBR disk you want to convert. • Then, click “Proceed”.

3. How to convert MBR to GPT using the Command Prompt?

Open Diskpart, and then type each of the following commands on a separate line, pressing Enter after each:

• List disks
• Select disk 1
• Clean
• List disks
• Select disk 1
• Convert to GPT
• Exit