MBR to GPT: How to Convert MBR to GPT in Windows 11/10/8/7 [2021 New]

To change a disk from MBR to GPT in Windows 10, you can use the built-in Disk Management tool, a third-party software like EaseUS Partition Master, or a command-line utility like diskpart. The Disk Management tool allows you to convert the disk to GPT format, while EaseUS Partition Master offers more advanced features and a user-friendly interface. Alternatively, you can use diskpart to convert the disk to GPT, but be cautious as this method can be more complicated and may lead to data loss if not performed correctly.

MBR to GPT Conversion Tools:

#1. Qiling Partition Master - Easiest, No Data Loss & No Partition Loss
#2. Disk Management - Windows Built-in Tool, Requires Deleting Partitions
#3. DiskPart - Complex & Windows Built-in Tool, Requires Deleting Partitions

If you're trying to change your disk partition style, you can use any of the methods listed here to convert your disk from MBR to GPT without losing any data.

When Do You Need to Convert MBR to GPT

Both MBR (Master Boot Record) and GPT (GUID Partition Table) are partition styles used in storage devices like computer hard drives. However, with the increasing trend of switching from MBR to GPT, more users are opting for the latter due to its advantages.

Converting an MBR disk to a GPT disk is necessary in several unique situations. Users may need to make the switch when they want to create more than 4 primary partitions on their disk, or when they need to create a partition larger than 2TB. Additionally, if they want to use a BIOS system with a GPT disk, or if they're using a UEFI firmware with a GPT disk, the conversion is required.

1. To create more than four primary partitions on a disk.

2. To make full use of a disk with more than 2TB space, you can use a 64-bit operating system and a 64-bit file system, such as NTFS, which supports large disk sizes. You can also use a disk management tool to partition the disk into smaller sections, each with its own file system, to ensure that the operating system can access the entire disk space.

3. To install Windows on an EFI/UEFI disk.

4. To resolve the error "Windows cannot be installed to this disk. The selected disk has an MBR partition table. On EFI system, Windows can only be installed to GPT disks," you need to convert the disk from MBR to GPT. This can be done by creating a live USB or CD with a Linux distribution such as Ubuntu, and then running the command `gdisk /dev/sdX` (replace X with the actual disk letter) to convert the disk from MBR to GPT.

When you encounter any of the above-provided cases, you will need to change your disk from MBR to PGT, allowing for more than 4 primary partitions on a single disk.

You can easily change a data drive from MBR to GPT without losing data or convert a boot drive from MBR to GPT during Windows installation by following any of the methods provided.

Method 1. How to Convert MBR to GPT Using Qiling Partition Master

Applies to: To convert both the data and OS drive from MBR to GPT without losing data or reinstalling Windows, you can follow these steps: First, use the built-in Disk Management tool in Windows to convert the data drive to GPT. Then, disconnect the data drive and use a Linux live USB or a Windows installation media to convert the OS drive to GPT.

Qiling Partition Master is a reliable disk conversion tool that allows you to convert your disk from MBR to GPT directly with just a few clicks, outperforming both Disk Management and DiskPart in this aspect.

Qiling Partition Master doesn't delete any partitions for disk conversion, allowing users to keep all partitions intact.
Qiling Partition Master ensures that no data is lost during the process of converting a disk from MBR to GPT or vice versa.

Free Download

Notice:

To convert a boot disk to GPT, ensure your motherboard supports UEFI boot mode. This is necessary for the disk containing your system.

To avoid boot failure, you should disable Secure Boot in your computer's UEFI firmware settings before converting the MBR to GPT. This is because Secure Boot can prevent the system from booting from a GPT disk.

Steps to Convert MBR to GPT Without Data Loss:

Step 1. Download and launch Qiling Partition Master on your Windows computer.

Step 2. Click the MBR disk that you want to convert.

Step 3. Click "More..." and click "MBR -> GPT" to convert partition.

Optional Steps: Enable UEFI Mode After Convert System Boot Disk to GPT

To enable UEFI boot mode on your computer, you'll need to enter the BIOS settings. The steps may vary depending on your computer model, but generally, you can do this by pressing a key like F2, F12, or Del when you first turn on your computer. Once in the BIOS settings, look for an option related to boot mode or UEFI settings and change it to UEFI.

Step 1. Restart PC and press F2, F8, F12, Del to enter the BIOS boot menu.

Step 2. Locate the boot options menu and enable the UEFI mode.

Set Launch CSM to Enabled, skipping to Step 4 if it's already set to Disabled.
Set Boot Device Control to UEFI Only
Set Boot from Storage Devices to UEFI driver first

Step 3. Set the USB UEFI OS Boot option is at the top of the Boot Priority List.

Step 4. Save the changes and exit BIOS, reboot PC from the GPT disk.

The computer will automatically reboot from the GPT disk by then.

Important

Methods 2 and 3 only work to change a data disk to GPT, and may cause OS boot failure if used on a boot disk.

Also, the below two methods require you to delete all partitions on your disk. If you have useful files on the disk, back them up in advance.

Qiling Backup is a free and quick backup software that is effective in helping with backup needs.

Method 2. How to Change MBR to GPT via Disk Management

Applies to: To convert a data disk from MBR to GPT, you'll need to delete the existing partition and data on the disk. This process will permanently erase all data on the disk, so make sure to back up any important files before proceeding.

To convert a data disk to GPT, delete all partitions on the MBR disk in Disk Management, which will then allow the "Convert to GPT Disk" option to be chosen.

Steps to Change an MBR disk to GPT in Disk Management:

Step 1. Righ-click on "This PC" or "My Computer", choose "Manage", and select "Disk Management".

Step 2. Right-click each partition on the target MBR disk and choose "Delete Volume".

Step 3. Click "OK" to confirm the deletion, and repeat Step 2 to delete all partitions on the disk.

Step 4.When the whole disk displays as unallocated, right-click on the MBR disk and choose "Convert to GPT Disk".

Once the disk conversion process is complete, close Disk Management and you can use your new disk to create multiple partitions or install a new operating system on it.

Method 3. MBR to GPT Conversion using DiskPart

Applies to: To convert a data disk's MBR to GPT using the DiskPart command, it is essential to clean the partitions first. This process involves using the DiskPart command to delete all partitions on the disk, making it possible to convert the disk's Master Boot Record (MBR) to a Globally Unique Identifier (GUID) Partition Table (GPT).

To convert a Master Boot Record (MBR) disk to a GUID Partition Table (GPT) disk using DiskPart, first, back up your data to ensure it's safe. Then, open Command Prompt as an administrator and type `diskpart` to enter the DiskPart tool. Next, type `list disk` to list all disks, identify the disk you want to convert, and note its number.

Step 1. Click the "Start" button and type cmd.

Step 2. Right-click "Command Prompt" and choose "Run as administrator".

Step 3. Type diskpart and hit Enter.

When you see a dialog box asking for permission, click "Yes".

Step 4. Enter the following commands one by one and hit Enter each time:

list disk
To repair a corrupted Master Boot Record (MBR), you can use the built-in Windows command line utility. Here's how: Open the Command Prompt as an administrator. Type `select disk 2` (replace 2 with the disk number of your MBR disk).
clean
convert gpt

DiskPart will delete all partitions on your disk and then convert it to GPT during the process.

Step 5. Type exit when the conversion process completes.

After using the new GPT disk to create partitions and install a new UEFI system, you can perform various tasks without any obstacles.

Tip: If you forgot to back up files and want to undo the clean command, Qiling partition recovery software can retrieve your partitions and files.

Bonus Tip: How to Convert MBR to GPT without Operating System

Converting a Master Boot Record (MBR) disk to a GUID Partition Table (GPT) can be a complex process, especially when done without an operating system or during Windows installation. In contrast to the other solutions, converting MBR to GPT without OS is more complicated.

To do so, you have two ways out:

1. Booting from a Windows installation media and using a CMD command to convert a disk can be a complex process, making it challenging for most people to accomplish on their own.
2. To complete the task, run PC from a USB bootable disk created by Qiling Partition Master, making it a feasible option even for beginners.

Qiling Partition Master with bootable disk is a better way out for an easier way out.

Free Download

To convert MBR to GPT on your own, install the software on a healthy computer, create a bootable disk on a USB drive, boot your PC from the disk, and make the conversion without affecting the operating system or during Windows installation.

Here are the detailed steps for you to follow:

Step 1. To prepare a bootable drive, first, attach a disc or drive, such as a USB drive, flash drive, or a CD/DVD disc, to a bootable computer. Then, launch Qiling Partition Master and navigate to the "Create bootable media" feature, where you can click on it to proceed.

Step 2. Choose USB or CD/DVD according to the device you connect to the computer, then click "Proceed".

Step 3. Connect the WinPE bootable disk to the computer. Restart your computer, enter BIOS by pressing F2/Del, set to boot from the removable device or CD-ROM drive, and save changes by pressing F10.

Step 4. Launch Qiling Partition Master, click the MBR disk you want to convert, and select "MBR -> GPT" to convert it to GPT.

You May Also Interest In:

Convert GPT to MBR Without Operating System

If you're installing a Windows system like Windows 11/10/8/7 and receive the error message "The selected disk is of GPT partition style...", don't worry. Try the troubleshooting methods on this page to resolve the issue.

It's Your Turn. Take Action to Convert MBR Disk to GPT Now

If you're looking to convert your MBR disk to GPT, there are three major solutions you can try to achieve this successfully. These solutions can help you make the switch and take advantage of the benefits that come with the GPT partitioning scheme.

Qiling Partition Master allows converting a data or OS disk from MBR to GPT without data loss or OS boot issues, using its "Convert to GPT" feature that doesn't require partition deletion.

Free Download

To convert a data disk from MBR to GPT, consider using the free tools Disk Management or DiskPart. Beforehand, make sure to back up your data to avoid losing it during the process. This precaution will ensure a smooth conversion.

Some people also recommended using Windows built-in utility MBR2GPT.EXE to convert MBR to GPT, but it's only available in Windows Creator's Update and later and is more complicated than the methods above.

Apart from answering the question of whether to use MBR or GPT and how to switch from MBR to GPT, this page also addresses three other frequently asked questions about MBR to GPT conversion.

FAQs About MBR to GPT Conversion

I'd be happy to help you with your question. What's on your mind?

1. Is GPT or MBR better?

The choice between Master Boot Record (MBR) and GUID Partition Table (GPT) partition styles depends on the type of disk and its intended use. A comparison table can help determine which style is best suited for a particular disk, with MBR typically used for smaller disks and older operating systems, while GPT is preferred for larger disks and newer systems due to its ability to support more partitions and larger partition sizes. By understanding the key differences between MBR and GPT, users can make an informed decision about which partition style to use for their disk.

MBR vs. GPT, Which Is Better?

Comparison	MBR (Master Boot Record)	GPT (GUID Partition Table)
Maximum Partitions	4 Partitions.	128 Partitions.
Maximum Disk Capacity	2TB (for 512B sector), 16TB (for 4Kn sector)	2^64 is a very large number, so in practical terms, there is effectively no disk capacity limit. This means that a 2TB drive could potentially be expanded to 2^64 times that size, or approximately 1.
Boot Mode	BIOS	UEFI

Conclusion: GPT Disk Exceeds MBR Disk in Many Aspects

The comparison table highlights the superiority of the GPT disk over the MBR disk in various aspects. The GPT disk outperforms the MBR disk in terms of partition size, number of partitions, and boot sector size, among others.

GPT UEFI can load the operating system faster than traditional MBR BIOS boot mode, resulting in faster boot speeds.
GPT has better OS compatibility than MBR as it supports most operating systems, including Windows Server and macOS.
GPT (GUID Partition Table) contains a backup of the primary GPT header and partition entries, which provides advanced data protection by safeguarding the disk's data.

If you need to install the latest operating system on your disk with a fast boot speed, GPT is better, as it supports UEFI boot mode which loads the operating system faster than traditional BIOS mode on MBR disk.

2. Should My SSD be MBR or GPT?

The comparison table suggests that GPT is more suitable for an SSD disk, providing reasons to believe this is the case.

GPT supports more than 4 primary partitions on an SSD, can store more than 2TB of data, and is more compatible with newer UEFI-based systems.

3. What Happend If I Convert MBR to GPT?

When converting MBR to GPT, the method used can significantly impact the process. This conversion is highly based on the method chosen for the conversion.

If you use Qiling Partition Master as recommended on this page, the partition style will change, but your data and partitions will remain the same as before.

When you use Windows Disk Management or DiskPart to convert a disk from MBR to GPT for free, three things will happen to your disk. Your disk will be converted to GPT, but it will also become a dynamic disk, and the disk will be initialized, which may cause data loss.

1. Data loss;

2. Partition loss;

3. Partition style change: from MBR to GPT.