MBR and GPT are the two types of partition structures that your PC can employ. You may need to convert your MBR disk to a GPT disk at times, and we’ll teach you how to do so on Windows 10 today.
We need to clarify the differences between MBR and GPT disks before we teach you how to convert MBR to GPT disk.
What is MBR?
MBR is a more traditional partition scheme that was first presented in 1983. The Master Boot Record (MBR) contains a special boot sector that allows your operating system to start.
This partition layout has some limits, and it only works with devices smaller than 2TB. This wasn’t an issue a few years ago, but with the increasing quantity of larger hard drives, it’s no surprise that the MBR standard is slowly but steadily becoming obsolete.
You can have up to four primary partitions using the MBR partition scheme, which can be an issue for some users.
What is GPT?
GPT, or GUID Partition Table, on the other hand, is a new standard that is linked to UEFI. Because GPT has no constraints like its predecessor, you can create a virtually infinite number of partitions.
Unlike MBR, GPT keeps several copies of partitioning and boot data on your hard drive. As a result, your system will be more stable, and if the data is overwritten or corrupted, you won’t have any serious issues.
GPT also has a feature called cyclic redundancy check, which verifies your data for corruption. GPT can attempt to restore data from another location on your drive if it becomes corrupted.
In general, GPT is a newer standard that performs better than its predecessor. There is a hardware limitation, and you won’t be able to boot from GPT disks if your PC uses BIOS rather than UEFI.
GPT also requires a 64-bit version of Windows 10, 8, 7, or Vista, so if you have any of these versions, GPT will work fine.
Now that you understand the differences, let’s look at how to convert MBR disks to GPT.
How do I convert MBR to GPT disk in Windows 10?
Using the DiskPart utility, you may convert MBR to GPT disks without losing data. The built-in Disk Management function is also available. Alternatively, you can use MBR2GPT, an automated utility that converts the drive from MBR to GPT without deleting any files.
Follow the steps outlined below for further information.
Solution 1 – Use Diskpart tool
Diskpart is a sophisticated program that can aid in the conversion of MBR to GPT partitions. We must emphasize that Diskpart will delete all files and directories from your hard disk, so we strongly advise you to back up any critical data.
Keep in mind that you can’t use Diskpart on your system disk while Windows is active, but it can easily convert any other drive. Follow these steps to do so:
1. To enter the Win + X menu, press Windows Key + X and select Command Prompt (Admin). You can use PowerShell instead of Command Prompt if Command Prompt isn’t available.
2. Enter diskpart and hit Enter when Command Prompt appears.
3. Enter list disk and click Enter. You’ll now see a list of all the hard drives on your computer. You won’t be able to convert your drive while logged in to Windows if you only have one.
4. Enter select disk X. Replace the X with the appropriate number for your hard drive. It’s critical that you choose the correct disk, so take your time. You’ll lose data if you don’t select the correct disk, so make sure you double-check everything. Checking the size of the hard drive is one of the simplest ways to choose the right one. If you have two or more hard drives, their sizes will help you recognize them.
5. Now type clean into the box and hit Enter. All data and partitions will be erased from your hard drive once you run this command, so make a backup of any vital files.
6. Simply type convert gpt and hit Enter.
The selected hard drive will be converted from MBR to GPT after that. Once again, we must emphasize that Diskpart is a powerful tool, and that you use it at your own peril.
Solution 2 – Convert the drive while installing Windows
Users claim that while installing Windows, your PC will automatically convert your drive from MBR to GPT. Of course, you must boot the installation media in UEFI mode, after which the disk will be changed to GPT automatically. Follow these steps to do so:
- In UEFI mode, boot the installation disk.
- You’ll be asked to select the type of installation. Select Custom.
- Now pick all of the partitions on your drive and tap on Delete. This will delete all files from your hard disk, so make a backup before proceeding. You’ll notice a massive single area of unallocated space after erasing all partitions.
- Choose the unallocated space and click on Next.
- Complete the setup by following the instructions.
This procedure is useful if you’re installing Windows on a brand new computer or reinstalling your system and converting your main hard disk. This approach is simple, but you must have UEFI support and boot the installation DVD in UEFI mode in order to utilize it.
Solution 3 – Use Diskpart during Windows installation
If you wish to convert an MBR disk to a GPT disk, Diskpart can help you out. This is a powerful tool that allows you to easily convert your hard drive. We’ve already shown you how to use Diskpart to convert your drive, but you’ll need to perform it during the installation procedure if you want to convert your system disk with Windows on it. Follow these steps to do so:
- Start your computer by booting from the installation disc.
- Select the language you want to use and then click Next.
- In the lower right corner, select Repair your machine.
- Select your user name under Troubleshoot > Advanced settings > Command Prompt. Enter your password if necessary.
- Follow the steps in Solution 1 to start and utilize Diskpart after you’ve started Command Prompt.
We should also highlight that the Shift + F10 shortcut can be used to activate Command Prompt immediately while installing Windows.
This approach is identical to the first, but it converts your system drive that has Windows on it by executing Diskpart outside of Windows. Diskpart will, once again, destroy all files from the specified hard disk, so use caution while using this procedure.
You don’t need to use the installation media to run Command Prompt outside of Windows. This procedure can also be completed by going to Advanced Startup settings and then opening Command Prompt from there. To do so, open the Start Menu, press and hold the Power button while pressing and holding the Shift key, and select Restart from the menu. You simply need to go to Troubleshoot > Advanced options > Command Prompt now.
You should be able to launch Command Prompt and utilize Diskpart without any issues after that.
Solution 4 – Use Disk Management
We’ve largely shown you command-line tools so far, but if you want a more user-friendly approach, you’ll be happy to know that you can convert your MBR to GPT disk with a graphical user interface.
To do so, simply launch Disk Management and convert your drive. This is really straightforward, and you may accomplish it by following these steps:
1. Tap Windows Key + X and select Disk Management.
2. You’ll get a list of all hard disks and partitions on your PC when Disk Management opens. You must erase all files and partitions from your drive before converting it to GPT. To do so, right-click the partition you want to delete and select Delete Volume. This procedure should be repeated for all partitions on your hard disk.
3. After you’ve deleted all of the partitions on your hard drive, right-click it and select Convert to GPT Disk from the menu.
Remember that you won’t be able to convert your system drive while using Windows, but you will be able to convert any other hard disk on your computer. As you can see, this method is straightforward and quick, and you are welcome to try it if you like a graphical interface. We must caution you that this procedure will erase all of your files from your hard disk, so make a backup before proceeding.
Solution 5 – Use MBR2GPT
Converting MBR to GPT isn’t difficult, however it will delete all files from your disk in most circumstances. MBR2GPT is a new program included with Windows 10 that allows you to convert your disk without deleting your files. Follow these instructions to use this tool:
- Head to Advanced Startup. Simply enter the Start Menu, press the Power button while holding down the Shift Key, and select Restart.
- You’ll now see a menu of choices. To troubleshoot, go to Troubleshoot > Advanced options > Command Prompt is a command prompt. Select your user account and, if necessary, enter your password.
- Run the mbr2gpt/validate command when Command Prompt appears.</li>
- Enter the mbr2gpt/convert command and click Enter if everything is in order and there are no issues. Your disk will be converted from MBR to GPT after you run this program.
Users claim that you can use this application inside the Windows environment, however this is not encouraged because it can cause a variety of issues. You must specify /allowFullOS after each command if you want to use this program in a Windows environment. This implies you’ll have to use the Windows environment to run the following commands:
- mbr2gpt /validate /allowFullOS
- mbr2gpt /convert /allowFullOS
It’s worth noting that the /disk:X parameter allows you to select which disk you want to convert. If you wish to convert your first hard drive, for example, simply type mbr2gptconvert/disk:1.
Solution 6 – Use MiniTool Partition Wizard
If you wish to convert your MBR to GPT disk while keeping all of your files, MiniTool Partition Wizard might be able to help. This is a free and easy-to-use program that can easily convert your disk. Follow these instructions to use this tool:
- Download MiniTool Partition Wizard.
- Start the application when it has been installed and click on Launch Application.
- Choose disk you want to convert and choose Convert MBR Disk to GPT Disk.
- Now click the Apply icon, and then click Yes when the confirmation box displays.
- The conversion process will now begin. To preserve your changes, click OK once the process is finished.
MiniTool Partition Wizard is a straightforward utility for converting your hard drive to GPT. Feel free to try it out because it’s entirely free and won’t delete any of your files.
Solution 7 – Use EaseUS Partition Master
EaseUS Partition Master is another free third-party application that can help you convert your hard disk from MBR to GPT. Follow these steps to convert your disk using this app:
- Download and install EaseUS Partition Master from the official website.
- When you’ve started the program, select the disk you wish to convert and click Convert MBR to GPT from the menu on the left.
- To confirm the changes, click the Apply icon and then Yes.
- Wait for the procedure to finish.
Your drive will be converted with all of your files intact once the process is completed. EaseUS Partition Master is a simple and freen> application that we recommend you try if you wish to convert your drive without losing your files.
Solution 8 – Use PartitionGuru software
If you want to convert your hard disk without losing your data, PartitionGuru is a good option. This is a robust program that lets you recover files, manage partitions, delete files, restore your Windows system, and manage virtual disks, among other things.
<p> You can also convert your hard drive from MBR to GPT with ease with this program. Follow these steps to do so:
1. Download PartitionGuru. There’s even a portable version available, which means you don’t have to install it to use it.
2. Once you’ve started the program, choose your hard disk and go to Disk > Convert To GUID Partition Table.
3. Click OK when a confirmation message appears.
4. Wait for the conversion to complete.
Your drive will be changed to GPT after the operation is completed, and all of your files will be retained. This application is free and portable, and since it does not require installation, we recommend that you give it a try.
Solution 9 – Use AOMEI Partition Assistant
AOMEI Partition Assistant is another freeware tool that may help you convert your MBR hard disk to GPT without losing files. The program is easy to use, and you can convert your hard drive by following these steps:
- Download AOMEI Partition Assistant and then install it.
- Start the program and choose your disk. Select Convert to GPT from the left-hand option.
- Click OK when the confirmation notice appears.
- The converting procedure will begin after you click the Apply icon.
- Wait for the procedure to complete.
Your drive will be converted to GPT after the operation is completed. You can use this application without fear because it will not delete your files during the conversion.
Solution 10 – Use gptgen
With the gptgen command, you may simply convert your drive from MBR to GPT without losing any files. Simply follow these instructions to do so:
1. As an administrator, open Command Prompt.
2. Once Command Prompt opens, enter the following commands:
- gptgen.exe .physicaldriveX
- gptgen.exe .physicaldriveX
- gptgen.exe -w .physicaldriveX
- gptgen.exe -w .physicaldriveX
Make sure to substitute X with the hard drive you wish to convert before running the commands. That would be Disk 1 in our case, thus the commands would be as follows:
- gptgen.exe .physicaldrive1
- gptgen.exe .physicaldrive1
- gptgen.exe -w .physicaldrive1
- gptgen.exe -w .physicaldrive1
Your disk will be converted after you run these commands, and all of your files will be preserved.
“>GPT partitioning has its benefits, and it will eventually supplant the”>MBRn>partitioning scheme. Converting from MBR> to GPT, on the other hand, is rather simple if you have UEFI support.
Feel free to attempt any of the methods we gave you to convert your diskn> to GPT. Remember that certain techniques will delete all of your files from your hard disk, so choose wisely.
