How to Convert MBR to GPT Without Losing Data in Windows

Your onerous drives all want one factor to maintain observe of what is on them: a partition desk. The partition desk describes the partitions (sections) of the drive and helps your system discover the information you want.

Windows makes use of a grasp boot report (MBR) or GUID Partition Desk (GPT) relying in your working system and firmware. Typically it is necessary to change between MBR and GPT, however doing so can lead to knowledge loss.

Nonetheless, there are two instruments you should utilize to change from MBR to GPT with out incurring knowledge loss. So, this is how to transform your MBR disk to GPT with out shedding a scrap of information.

MBR vs. GPT

First up, contemplate the variations between MBR and GPT and why some methods use one over the opposite.

MBR

MBR is the older of the 2 and due to this fact is appropriate with a wider vary of methods. MBR was developed for IBM PCs and, as such, was the first partition desk selection for Windows machines stretching for fairly a while. The Grasp Boot Report takes its identify from its location firstly of the drive, containing the bootloader for the working system and details about the drive partitions.

MBR solely works with drives as much as 2TB in dimension. Moreover, an MBR drive can solely have 4 major partitions. This was superb when a 2TB drive was a considerable outlay, however now you can choose up an 8TB drive, like a Seagate Barracuda, for an reasonably priced worth.

GPT

GPT is the newer of the 2. GPT is intently related to UEFI, the firmware resolution modernizing the previous various, BIOS. The GUID Partition Desk assigns each partition in your drive a globally distinctive identifier (GUID), a 128-bit quantity that identifies solely your {hardware} (a 128-bit integer has a most worth of 1.7 x 10^39—a phenomenally giant quantity).

GPT drives undergo few of the constraints of an MBR drive. GPT drives may be vastly bigger than their MBR counterparts (with the proper settings, a theoretical 256TB drive would work). On a Windows system, GPT drives can have as much as 128 completely different partitions with out utilizing an prolonged partition. Different methods permit much more.

One further main distinction is in how GPT drives retailer boot knowledge. In contrast to the MBR drive, the GPT drive shops a number of copies of the boot knowledge throughout a number of partitions, making recovery a lot simpler.

Compatibility

Not all variations of Windows can boot from a GPT partitioned drive, with many requiring a UEFI-based system.

• 64-bit Windows 11, 10, 8/8.1, 7, and Vista all require a UEFI-based system in addition from a GPT drive.
• 32-bit Windows 10 and eight/8.1 require a UEFI-based system in addition from a GPT drive. There isn’t a 32-bit model of Windows 11.
• 32-bit Windows 7 and Vista can’t boot from a GPT drive.
• All talked about Windows variations can learn from and write to a GPT drive.

Different working methods additionally use GPT methods. As an illustration, Apple now makes use of GPT somewhat than its Apple Partition Desk (APT). Moreover, Linux has built-in help for GPT drives.

The launch of Windows 11 in 2021 compelled many customers to change their current drive partition from MBR to GPT. Windows 11 will solely boot from a UEFI GPT drive, which has prompted some customers points whereas making an attempt to make the change.

Associated: Issues to Do Earlier than Updating to Windows 11

How to Convert MBR to GPT

As now we have seen, GPT is the more trendy partition desk kind, providing higher recovery and more general versatility. For a very long time, changing from an MBR drive to a GPT drive meant wiping the drive as a part of the conversion course of. However now, there are two instruments you should utilize to securely convert from MBR to GPT with none knowledge loss.

Word: There isn’t a going again until you wipe your drive. MBR to GPT is a one-way transformation. Please additionally keep in mind there’s a small likelihood your drive will stop to perform after the conversion. Whereas that is a particularly small likelihood, MakeUseOf and I settle for no duty to your {hardware} in case you proceed with this tutorial after this warning. On this, the validation step within the upcoming tutorial is essential.

There may be one closing examine to make earlier than changing your disk. Does your {hardware} have UEFI help? If not, your {hardware} will not register the drive following conversion and, if changing a bootable drive, you’ll not have entry to your working system.

MBR2GPT

Microsoft’s MBR2GPT device is already in your system as a part of the Windows 10 Creators Update.

The free MBR to GPT device primarily caters to sysadmins who need to deploy Windows 10 installations on a lot of computer systems. Nonetheless, you should utilize it to change your MBR drive to GPT with minimal problem.

1. First, examine your disk quantity. Full a Begin menu seek for Pc Administration and choose the Best match. Choose Disk Administration and find the disk you wish to convert, noting the disk quantity. Proper-click the disk quantity, choose Properties and open the Quantity Test the present partition kind is MBR.
2. Press Windows + X, then choose Command Immediate (Admin) from the menu. If Command Immediate (Admin) is not an choice, full a Begin menu seek for Command Immediate, then right-click and choose Run as Administrator.
3. Now, validate the disk you wish to convert. Kind mbr2gpt /validate /disk:[enter your disk number here] /allowFullOS The validation ought to solely take a second. If the disk does not meet the conversion necessities, you may obtain an error. (As an illustration, the error beneath got here from an invalid USB flash drive because it doesn’t meet the necessities.)

   

4. Kind mbr2gpt /convert /disk:[enter your disk number here] /allowFullOS and press Enter to start the conversion. The conversion is fast, solely taking a number of seconds.
5. You must change your firmware in addition to UEFI mode. After your system restart, press your BIOS/UEFI entry key. Change the boot kind to UEFI mode as an alternative of Legacy Mode or different equivalents.

EaseUS Partition Software program

The second choice for changing MBR to GPT with out knowledge loss is to make use of EaseUS Partition Grasp Skilled. Some might discover this the better of the 2 conversion choices, utilizing an identical UI to the Windows Disk Administration display screen. Moreover, EaseUS Partition Software program has a number of further choices, not least of which is the Convert MBR to GPT device.

Nonetheless, EaseUS Partition Grasp Skilled will set you again $39.95, whereas the Windows built-in MBR2GPT device is free, already a part of your working system.

1. Head to the EaseUS Partition Grasp website. Buy the software program, obtain, and set up. (Tip: If you happen to’re solely changing one drive, seize the Trial model.)
2. Open EaseUS Partition Grasp and wait to your drives to load. Subsequent, find the drive you wish to convert. Choose the disk, right-click, and choose Convert MBR to GPT.
3. Press the Apply button on the toolbar. When you hit apply, your system will reboot. You will arrive at an EaseUS Partition Grasp operation display screen that exhibits the conversion course of happening.
4. You must change your firmware in addition to UEFI mode. After your system restart, press your BIOS/UEFI entry key. Change the boot kind to UEFI mode, versus Legacy Mode or different equivalents.

So, EaseUS Partition Grasp makes the MBR to GPT conversion course of simpler however is barely slower than its free Microsoft counterpart.

MBR to GPT Conversion Full!

You’ve now transformed your previous MBR drive right into a GPT drive, granting further management over how you employ your drive. After switching up your partition desk and transferring from BIOS to UEFI, you may discover that you’ve got more management over your system firmware, too. In any case, that is one of many essential causes UEFI was launched, to allow larger management and more superior choices over your {hardware}.