[How-to] Format Disk from MBR to GPT with DiskPart in Windows 11/10

With the size of the hard drive getting bigger and bigger, the MBR partition style can't satisfy users' needs anymore. Because it doesn't support a hard drive larger than 2 TB. As an alternative, GPT (GUID Partition Table) partition style becomes a mainstream choice in recent years. It supports unlimited hard drive storage space and can create a maximum of 128 primary partitions.

There are many MBR users who want to convert their partition style to GPT. And Windows' built-in feature - DiskPart can help users finish the task. Here in this article, we will tell you how to use DiskPart to format to GPT.

Notes and Preparation:

1.Back up your disk. Format to GPT partition style might erase your data.

2.With DiskPart, you can only convert basic MBR disks without any partitions or volumes to GPT disks. If there are some partitions or volumes, please back up the data, and then delete all partitions or volumes before conversion.

Method 1. How to Format to GPT with DiskPart

DiskPart is a Windows built-in utility that uses command lines to perform disk partitioning operations. You don't need to worry if you are a novice user, please follow our guide to entering the command lines one by one, you can successfully format to GPT on your own. Here are the detailed steps.

Step 1. Press the Windows + R keys at the same time. Enter cmd in the Run box and click OK.

Step 2. In the command prompt, type diskpart and press Enter.

Step 3. Type list disk and press Enter. It will show you all the available disks, and assign them with a number like 0, 1, 2... If you only have one disk, then it will be disk 0.

Step 4. Type select disk # (replace # with the number of your disk) and press Enter. DiskPart will tell you that the target disk is selected.

Step 5. Type clean and press Enter. This command line is to remove all the partitions and volumes on the selected disk. It will also erase all the data on it.

Step 6. Type convert gpt and press Enter. Wait until the Command Prompt informs you that DiskPart has converted the selected disk to GPT format successfully.

After you have converted your disk from MBR to GPT, you need to change the boot mode to UEFI in the BIOS. Here is how you can do it.

Step 1. Shut down your computer, and restart it.

Step 2. Keep pressing the F2 key until the BIOS Setup Utility screen appears.

Step 3. Select Boot, under the Boot tab, use the up and down arrows to choose UEFI mode, and press Enter.

Step 4. To save the changes and exit the screen, press F10.

Method 2. Format Disk to GPT with Qiling Partition Master

Although DiskPart helps you convert from MBR to GPT, there are some users who still think the operation is too complicated. That's why we want to recommend users try a third-party partition management tool.

Most of the third-party tools ease the process of converting from MBR to GPT. And the software publishers make it a selling point to provide more advanced utilities. One such tool is Qiling Partition Master. The main purpose of this tool is to make partition management simpler and easier. Here are some advanced utilities of Qiling Partition Master.

Convert between MBR and GPT. No matter you need to convert from MBR to GPT or from GPT to MBR, this tool enables you to manage it in a simple way.
Resize Partitions. Adjust the partition size according to your needs.
Merge Partitions. Combine two small partitions into a large one.
Clone Partitions. You can clone the partitions as well as the operating system.

Here you can download Qiling Partition Master, and follow the guide to see how to format to GPT in an easier way.

Free Download

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.

Note: After you have converted your disk from MBR to GPT with Qiling Partition Master, you still need to reboot your computer and change the boot mode to UEFI.

The Bottom Line

In conclusion, you can apply Windows built-in DiskPart to format your disk to GPT partition style. Or you can choose a simpler alternative - Qiling Partition Master to help you finish the task. No matter which way do you choose, remember to change the boot mode to UEFI after converting.

[How-to] Format Disk from MBR to GPT with DiskPart in Windows 11/10

Notes and Preparation:

Method 1. How to Format to GPT with DiskPart

Method 2. Format Disk to GPT with Qiling Partition Master

The Bottom Line

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