How to Convert MBR to GPT or GPT to MBR Without Data Loss in Windows 11/10/8/7

The best way to convert MBR to GPT or GPT to MBR without data loss in Windows:

• Install and run the Disk Converter, right-click on the MBR disk and choose "Convert to GPT" or "Convert to MBR". • Click "Perform 1 action". • Click the "Apply" button. • Learn more details >>

This is a guide on how to convert MBR to GPT without losing data. In just 3-4 minutes of reading, you'll discover the best way and three other solutions.

• The Best Way to Convert MBR to GPT without Data Loss (Recommended for Beginners)
• Tip 1: Convert MBR to GPT with Diskpart Utility via CMD (Requires Partition Deletion)
• Tip 2: Convert MBR to GPT via Disk Management (Requires Partition Deletion)
• Tip 3: Use MBR2GPT.exe to Convert MBR to GPT (Advanced, Complex Method)

Want to convert MBR to GPT or GPT to MBR without losing data?

Objective of MBR to GPT Conversion - Lift the 2 TB limitation on MBR file systems in Windows 11/10/8.1/8/7

Goal: Convert GPT to MBR - Make your disk compatible with the appropriate boot mode.

Whether you know about MBR and GPT or not, you may have encountered the situation: you have a 4TB hard drive but can only use 2TB, and it seems that the remaining 2TB is wasted. Why does a 4TB hard drive show as 2TB? That's because your disk is in MBR format.

Unlike MBR disks, GPT disks have no such limitations. You can see the differences in the following table:

Therefore, if you want to get rid of the MBR disk limits or match the proper boot mode, you'd better convert MBR to GPT, or vice versa.

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The Best Way to Convert MBR to GPT or GPT to MBR Without Data Loss

The disk conversion tool - Partition Master Professional perfectly meets your needs to convert MBR to GPT without data loss. Whether you want to convert MBR to GPT or GPT to MBR, this software can accomplish the task without deleting volumes on the disk.

Whether you are a novice or an expert computer user, you can now easily use this tool to change the partition style in Windows 11/10/8/7.

How to Convert MBR to GPT without Losing Data

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

Step 2. Go to 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 click "Convert" to start the conversion.

Note: There's one thing you need to keep in mind. If the disk you want to convert is the system disk, make sure your computer motherboard supports the boot mode corresponding to the target partition style. Remember that MBR supports BIOS, while GPT supports UEFI.

How to Convert GPT to MBR Without Losing Data

• Click on "Disk Converter" from the left menu. Select "Convert GPT to MBR," then click "Next" to proceed. • Choose the GPT disk you wish to convert, then click "Convert." • Wait for the conversion process to finish.

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Other 3 Methods to Convert MBR to GPT or GPT to MBR Without Data Loss

You can also learn about three other methods to convert MBR to GPT or GPT to MBR in this article. Note that all these three solutions may cause data loss if you forget to back up your partitions. Looking for a data protection solution? Go back to Method 1 – Partition Master Tool.

• Tip 1. Convert MBR to GPT using Diskpart Tool in CMD (Requires partition deletion)
• Tip 2. Convert MBR to GPT via Disk Management (Requires partition deletion)
• Tip 3. Convert MBR to GPT using MBR2GPT.exe (Complex, suitable for advanced users)

Tip #1: Convert from MBR to GPT using the DiskPart tool

You can use the Diskpart utility in Command Prompt to convert MBR to GPT. However, bear in mind that when converting a disk to GPT, Diskpart will erase all files and folders on the hard drive.

Thus, it's highly recommended that you back up files in advance and then restore data after conversion. If there are many files on the disk, it's suggested using the free backup software – Todo Backup to back up data effectively.

After backing up your files, you can convert MBR to GPT using Diskpart in CMD with the following steps:

Step 1: Type cmd into the search box. Right-click "Command Prompt," and select "Run as administrator." If you don't have CMD, you can use PowerShell instead.

2. Open Command Prompt, type DiskPart, and press Enter.

Step 3: Type list disk, and press Enter. (Note the number of the disk you want to convert to GPT.)

Step 4. Type select disk X (replace X with the correct number of your hard drive).

Step 5: Type clean and press Enter. This command will delete all partitions and files on the disk, so back up anything important beforehand.

Step 6: Type convert gpt and press Enter.

This method is not recommended for computer novices. If you accidentally clean a partition with DiskPart, you can undo DiskPart clean command to get your files back.

Translate to English: Convert GPT to MBR using the command prompt:

• List Disks
• Select Disk *
• Clean Disk
• Convert to MBR Disk
• Exit
Here, "*" is a placeholder that should be replaced with a specific disk number.

How to Install Windows 10 on GPT Partition?

Can't install Windows 11/10 on GPT partition? This page shows you how to install Windows 11/10 on GPT partition in the easiest way.

Tip 2: Convert MBR to GPT Disk with Disk Management

Similarly to using CMD, you need to delete all partitions on the disk with Disk Management. You should back up the disk before converting MBR to GPT or GPT to MBR. If you want to recover deleted partitions, you can use a partition recovery software tool to restore lost data and partitions.

Convert MBR to GPT:

Step 1: Right-click “This PC,” select “Manage,” and then go to “Disk Management.”

Step 2: Right-click on the volume on the target disk and select "Delete Volume..."

Step 3: Right-click the empty disk (displayed as Unallocated) and select “Convert to GPT Disk.”

How to Convert GPT to MBR in Disk Management:

• Right-click the disk and select “Delete Volume.” Delete all volumes. • Right-click the disk and select “Convert to MBR disk.”

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Tip 3: Convert MBR to GPT without Data Loss Using MBR2GPT

MBR2GPT.exe is an integrated Windows tool used to convert a disk from MBR to GPT. The advantage of this tool is that it doesn't corrupt files on the disk during the conversion process.

However, this is not recommended, as it's complicated to use, and based on user feedback, you might run into various issues. Also, it's available only on Windows 10 version 1703 and newer.

The CMD command to run MBR2GPT in WinPE to convert an MBR disk to GPT is as follows: ``` MBR2GPT /convert /disk: /force ``` Replace `` with the actual disk number of the disk you plan to convert. The `/force` option forces the conversion, even if Windows isn't installed on that disk or if there might be potential problems. Use this command cautiously, as incorrect usage can result in data loss. Always back up your important data before attempting any disk conversions.

Step one: Click the Start button, then click the power button, and while holding down Shift, click Restart to get to the Advanced Startup screen.

Step 2. Go to Troubleshoot > Advanced options > Command Prompt.

Step 3. Enter the following commands in order, pressing Enter after each line:

These command-line options are used for: 1. mbr2gpt /validate: Validates if it is possible to convert an MBR (Master Boot Record) disk to a GPT (GUID Partition Table) disk. This command checks for compatibility issues or any factors that might prevent the conversion. 2. mbr2gpt /convert: Actually performs the conversion from MBR to GPT. After ensuring that the validation step has no issues, this command is used to change the disk's partition table format. Proceed with caution as this may result in data loss; it is recommended to back up important data before converting.

After running these commands, your disk will be converted from MBR to GPT without any data loss.

Run MBR2GPT on a full Windows operating system to convert from MBR to GPT.

The MBR2GPT tool is designed to run from the Windows Preinstallation Environment (Windows PE) command prompt, but it can also be run from a full Windows 10 operating system (OS) by using the /allowFullOS option.

Step 1: Open the Command Prompt as an administrator on your Windows 10.

Step 2: Enter each of the following commands one at a time, pressing Enter after you type each one.

• mbr2gpt /validate /allowFullOS
• mbr2gpt /convert /allowFullOS
These commands translate to: 1. mbr2gpt /validate /allowFullOS 2. mbr2gpt /convert /allowFullOS These commands are typically used in the Windows operating system to convert an MBR (Master Boot Record) disk to a GPT (GUID Partition Table) disk. The "/validate" option checks if the conversion is feasible, while the "/convert" option carries out the actual conversion. The "/allowFullOS" parameter indicates that the conversion should be allowed on the currently running operating system.

You can refer to the official Microsoft documentation for more details about MBR2GPT.EXE.

How to Enable UEFI Mode After Converting the System Boot Disk to GPT

If you've already converted your system disk (MBR) to GPT, you'll need to enable UEFI boot mode on your computer for the operating system to start. Here's how:

Step 1: Restart your computer and press F2, F8, F12, or Del to enter the BIOS boot menu.

Step 2: Look for the Boot options menu and enable UEFI mode.

• Set "Boot CSM" to "Enabled."
• Set "Boot Device Control" to "UEFI Only."
• Set "Boot from Storage Devices" to "UEFI Drive First."

Step 3. Set the UEFI OS boot option as the first entry in the boot priority list.

Step 4. Save the changes and exit the BIOS, then reboot your computer from the GPT disk.

Then wait patiently as the computer automatically boots from the GPT hard drive.

Ultimately

After reading this guide, you'll find that using the Partition Master tool is the easiest way among the four solutions to convert MBR to GPT without losing data. With this tool, you can directly convert MBR to GPT or vice versa without deleting any partitions.

If you opt to convert MBR to GPT using Disk Management or DiskPart, remember to back up your disk first. If you attempt to use MBR2GPT.exe, make sure your disk meets Microsoft's requirements; otherwise, the conversion will fail with an error.

FAQ on Converting MBR to GPT using CMD: 1. What are MBR and GPT? - MBR (Master Boot Record) is a traditional disk partitioning format that supports up to four primary partitions or three primary partitions plus one extended partition. - GPT (GUID Partition Table) is a newer format that supports up to 128 partitions and is more stable and secure in UEFI systems. 2. Why convert MBR to GPT? - MBR doesn't support disks larger than 2TB, while GPT can handle greater disk capacities. - GPT offers better disaster recovery with its backup partition table. - GPT works with UEFI firmware for faster boot times and enhanced security features. 3. How to convert using CMD (Command Prompt)? - Open Command Prompt as an administrator. - Type `diskpart` and press Enter to launch the DiskPart tool. - Type `list disk` and hit Enter to view all disks. Note the target disk number. - Type `select disk x` (replace 'x' with your disk number) to select the disk to convert. - Type `clean` to remove existing partitions and data (irreversible; ensure backups). - Type `convert gpt` to convert the MBR disk to GPT. 4. Will data be lost during the conversion? - Yes, the `convert gpt` command will delete all data. Back up important files beforehand. 5. Can the conversion be done on an operating system in use? - It's not recommended. Perform the conversion on another computer or using a bootable media to avoid data loss or system damage. 6. Do I need to reinstall the operating system after the conversion? - Generally not, but if your system boots in BIOS mode based on MBR, you may need to switch to UEFI boot mode. Ensure your hardware and BIOS settings support UEFI. 7. What if the conversion fails? - Make sure you have the latest disk management tools or try third-party disk conversion software. - Check if you've selected the correct disk and if there's enough space. - If encountering errors, note the error message and seek professional assistance.

1. How to convert MBR to GPT for free? To convert an MBR (Master Boot Record) to GPT (GUID Partition Table) for free, you can use built-in disk management tools (on Windows) or third-party open-source utilities. Here's how to do it using the built-in Windows Disk Management tool: 1. Right-click the "Start" button and select "Disk Management." 2. Locate the hard drive you want to convert and ensure it doesn't contain any important data, as the conversion will erase all data. 3. Back up all data on the hard drive. 4. Right-click the hard drive and choose "Delete Volume." This will remove all partitions and data from the disk. 5. The hard drive should now be unallocated space. 6. Right-click the unallocated space and then select "New Simple Volume," following the wizard, but when creating the new partition, choose GPT as the partition type. 7. After completing the process, your hard drive should be converted to GPT. If you're using a Linux system, you can use command-line tools like gdisk or parted for the conversion. For macOS, you can use the Disk Utility application, though these methods might require additional steps and are best performed under experienced guidance. Please note that there is a risk of data loss during the conversion process, so it's crucial to back up all important data before proceeding.

• Download, install, and open Partition Master Free for all users.
• Click "Disk Converter," then select "MBR to GPT."
• Follow the on-screen instructions.

2. Can MBR be converted to GPT without formatting?

Yes, a way to convert MBR to GPT without reformatting is by using a third-party MBR to GPT conversion tool like Partition Master.

How do I create a GPT partition in CMD?

Open the Command Prompt and type the following command:

diskpart is a command-line utility used to manage disk partitions and volumes in the Windows operating system. It enables users to create, delete, format disk partitions, resize partitions, and perform other disk-related tasks. To initiate the tool, type "diskpart" at the command prompt and press Enter, followed by relevant commands to manipulate disks.

List the disks

Select disk X

Clean

Transform GPT