What is MBR2GPT and How to Use It Fully on Windows 10

What is MBR2GPT.exe? How to use MBR2GPT to convert MBR to GPT in Windows 10 version 1703 or later? This article will guide you through the process with the tool, don't miss the answers.

"MBR2GPT" is a tool in the Windows 10/11 operating system designed to convert traditional MBR (Master Boot Record) disks to GPT (GUID Partition Table) disks. MBR is an older disk partitioning method, while GPT is a more secure and reliable approach used in modern operating systems, especially in UEFI (Unified Extensible Firmware Interface) systems. In Windows 10/11, the MBR2GPT tool aims to facilitate users in seamlessly converting their system disk from MBR to GPT to take advantage of UEFI boot benefits, such as faster startup times and improved disaster recovery capabilities. This conversion is typically done when installing a new version of Windows or during significant system updates. However, it's crucial to ensure that data is backed up before proceeding, as any disk conversion carries potential risks.

What is MBR2GPT.exe? MBR2GPT.exe is an integrated tool in Windows 10 version 1703 and later. It allows you to convert a disk from the Master Boot Record (MBR) to the Globally Unique Identifier Partition Table (GPT) without modifying or deleting disk data. This tool runs in the Windows Preinstallation Environment (Windows PE) command prompt, but you can also run it in a full version of Windows 10 using the /allowFullOS option. Now, you might be wondering, "Where can I find MBR2GPT?" Don't worry; MBR2GPT.EXE is located in the Windows\System32 folder on computers running Windows 10 version 1703 or later.

With the MBR2GPT tool, you can effectively manage disk partitions, such as:

• Convert any connected system disk with the MBR format to the GPT partition style. This utility can't be used to convert a non-system disk from MBR to GPT.
• ⌨️ You can convert OS disks with earlier versions of Windows 10 (such as version 1507, 1511, and 1607). But you must run the tool from Windows 10 version 1703 or later, and perform an offline conversion.
• ？If BitLocker protection is suspended, you can convert an MBR disk with BitLocker-encrypted volumes.

MBR2GPT.EXE is a safe and effective tool, so how do we use it? Read on for the next section, but first, you need to be aware of the prerequisites for successfully using this tool:

• The disk is currently using MBR.

There must be an active system partition. There can be no extended/logical partitions on the disk. There must be enough unpartitioned space to store the primary GPT and the backup GPT.

• The first two sectors of the disk, plus 16 KB of data
• The last sector of the disk, plus 16 KB of data

• There are no more than three primary partitions in the MBR partition table. • The BCD store on the system partition contains a default operating system entry that points to the operating system partition. • Each volume with a drive letter can be enumerated by its volume ID. • All partitions on the disk are recognizable by Windows as MBR partitions, or mapping has been specified by using the /map command-line option.

If any of these checks fail, the migration is paused, and an error message is returned.

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How to Use MBR2GPT to Convert MBR to GPT

When using the MBR2GPT tool in Windows 10 to convert an MBR system disk to a GPT disk, you need to input different mbr2gpt.exe command lines based on different scenarios. Here are some common commands: 1. **Basic Conversion:** ```cmd mbr2gpt /convert /disk:0 ``` This command converts the system disk (assuming it's Disk 0). Please replace `/disk:0` with the actual disk number if needed. 2. **Display Information Without Conversion:** ```cmd mbr2gpt /info /disk:0 ``` This command checks the compatibility and displays information about the specified disk without converting it. 3. **Force Conversion Without Validation:** ```cmd mbr2gpt /convert /disk:0 /force ``` Use this if you want to force the conversion without the system compatibility check. Be cautious, as this may lead to data loss or system instability. 4. **Conversion with Disk Backup:** ```cmd mbr2gpt /convert /disk:0 /backuppath:C:\Backup ``` This command converts the system disk and creates a backup of the MBR partition table at the specified path. 5. **Silent Mode Conversion:** ```cmd mbr2gpt /convert /disk:0 /quiet ``` This command performs the conversion silently without any user interaction or progress display. Remember to run these commands in an elevated Command Prompt (run as Administrator). Always make sure to back up your important data before attempting any disk conversions, as errors can lead to data loss.

If you're running in the Windows PE environment, enter: mbr2gpt /convert /disk:n If you're running in a full operating system environment, enter: mbr2gpt /convert /disk:n /allowfullOS

Figure: Command Prompt interface

Watch the following video from Microsoft Mechanics for details on how to use MBR2GPT:

In most cases, the MBR2GPT tool works as expected. With the MBR2GPT tool in Windows 10, you can safely convert a Windows 10 computer from a traditional BIOS disk partitioning scheme to UEFI (you can't use MBR2GPT to convert a non-system disk from MBR to GPT).

But if the disk doesn't meet those prerequisites, you might see an error that says “Disk 0 failed disk layout validation” or “MBR2GPT.exe has stopped working.”

Figure 4: Failed disk layout verification

So, how to fix the MBR2GPT disk layout validation failed issue? You can turn to a reliable third-party tool - AOMEI Partition Assistant.

Alternative Methods to MBR2GPT EXE for a Safe Windows 10 Upgrade

Though MBR2GPT is popular, are the steps too complicated for ordinary users? It's not easy for non-technical users to access the command line. To avoid this, I recommend using a reliable partition manager tool. Designed specifically for Windows users (beginner-friendly), it's an excellent alternative to the Windows 10 MBR2GPT tool. It enables you to safely and quickly convert your system/data disk from MBR to GPT without data loss. Download this tool and follow the simple guide below to get started.

Step 1: Download and install Partition Master on your computer.

Step 2. Launch the 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 then click “Convert” to start the conversion.

AOMEI Partition Assistant is the best MBR to GPT disk converter that can fully replace the MBR2GPT tool in Windows 10, and it's more user-friendly, which is why I recommend it. Apart from converting MBR to GPT, it also has other advanced features to help you manage your disks:

• Rebuild MBR
• Convert GPT to MBR
• Convert Dynamic Disk to Basic Disk
• Convert FAT32 to NTFS or vice versa
• Convert MBR to GPT without losing data

If you want to convert MBR to GPT for Windows 10/11/8/7, don't miss this tool.

Conclusions

In this article, we will delve into the details of MBR2GPT.exe, including its concept, limitations, features, and how to use it. We'll also show you how to utilize this tool to convert MBR to GPT in Windows 10 version 1703. If you encounter issues with MBR2GPT failing or if earlier versions of Windows don't support this tool, you can leverage the Partition Master utility to address the problem.

FAQs about MBR2GPT

I believe you now have a good understanding of what MBR2GPT is and how to use the tool. Here are some additional questions for further learning: 1. Why is it necessary to convert MBR to GPT partition tables? 2. What advantages does GPT have over MBR? 3. Do I need to reinstall the operating system when converting from MBR to GPT in Windows 10? 4. Will data be lost during the conversion process? How can I ensure data safety? 5. Can I still perform the MBR2GPT conversion if my computer doesn't support UEFI booting? 6. How can I convert MBR to GPT without using Windows tools? 7. What are some common errors that may occur during the MBR2GPT conversion, and how can they be resolved? 8. How can I verify that my hard drive is now in GPT partition table format after the conversion? 9. What are the best practices for MBR2GPT conversion in large enterprise servers or data center environments? 10. Where can I find technical support if I encounter issues during the conversion process? These questions will help you delve deeper into the knowledge of converting from MBR to GPT.

1. How do I know if my BIOS is set to boot in MBR or GPT mode?

To check whether a disk is MBR or GPT, use the Disk Management tool. Launch it, right-click on the target hard drive (not a partition), and select “Properties.” Go to the “Volumes” tab, and look at the “Partition Style” field. This will show you whether the disk is using MBR or GPT.

2. How long does it take to convert MBR to GPT with MBR2GPT?

Usually, this process is quick, taking only a few seconds. Simply type mbr2gpt /convert /disk: [insert disk number here] /allowFullOS and press Enter to begin the conversion.

Is MBR2GPT safe to use?

Of course, MBR2GPT is a safe and reliable tool designed not to result in data loss. According to Microsoft's instructions, it can convert a disk from MBR to GPT without losing any data.