Convert MBR to GPT without Data Loss for Windows 11

Depending on the age of the computer, operating system, and system firmware, Windows uses either the Master Boot Record (MBR) or the GUID Partition Table (GPT). Occasionally, you may need to convert from MBR to GPT. The best tool to do this without losing data is a disk partition manager. Select the disk to convert > right-click the MBR disk and choose "Convert to GPT" > click "Apply" to confirm the changes. You don't need to delete or format partitions before converting from MBR to GPT.

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• Why Convert MBR to GPT
• How to Check Partition Style
• Best MBR to GPT Converter
• Convert MBR to GPT with Software
• Manual Solutions to Convert MBR to GPT
• People Also Ask

Why Convert MBR to GPT?

There are several reasons why users would like to convert MBR to GPT. Generally, people convert MBR to GPT for three major reasons: disk replacement, system upgrade, and personal preference.

• You will be replacing it with a larger disk.

GPT disk supports volumes larger than 2 TB, while MBR does not. If your MBR disk is larger than 2 TB, you'll need to convert it to GPT. Then, you can get beyond the 2 TB limitation and make full use of your disk space.

Personal autonomy

Unlike MBR, GPT is not limited by these restrictions. It can hold virtually an unlimited number of partitions, and it doesn't require the creation of an extended partition to make them work. Thus, most people would choose to convert MBR to GPT. But the question is, how to convert MBR to GPT without losing data? Here, you can learn the methods to do it easily and quickly.

How to Check the Partition Style of a Disk

Before you can convert to the target type, you must identify the disk type. The easiest way to identify a disk type is by using Disk Management. In Windows Disk Management, you can check the partition style of your hard disk:

Step 1: Right-click "This PC" and select "Manage."

Step 2. Open Disk Management.

Step 3. Right-click on the disk you want to check, and select “Properties.”

Step 4: Click the “Volumes” tab. Under Disk Information, you'll see the Partition Style.

Best MBR to GPT Converter – MiniTool Partition Wizard

Windows Disk Management can convert MBR to GPT disk, but it only supports converting unallocated hard drive. In other words, you have to delete all partitions on the disk during the conversion, which will lead to data loss. Therefore, Windows Disk Management is not the best choice. You can use third-party partition management software to convert MBR to GPT. We recommend using AOMEI Partition Assistant Professional.

This disk utility enables you to convert an MBR disk to GPT without deleting partitions. Thus, you can avoid the issue of data loss. This excellent and considerate feature sets the software apart from all other partition managers. In addition, the Quick Partition feature allows you to adjust disk space without losing data. This tool is useful for all computer users – home users, business users, and service providers.

How to Convert MBR to GPT Without Losing Data

With Partition Master, you can easily convert MBR disk to GPT disk with only 3 steps. Read on and use this converter to do the conversion. By the way, this partition magic also supports converting GPT disk to MBR disk, you can try it anytime when you need.

Other Manual Methods to Convert MBR to GPT in Windows 11/10

If you don't want to download third-party software, you can convert MBR to GPT manually.

Solution 1: Convert MBR to GPT Disk with Disk Management

Step 1: Right-click "This PC", select "Manage," and then enter "Disk Management."

Step 2. Right-click the partition on the target disk and select “Delete Volume…” If you accidentally delete a partition in Disk Management, refer to the linked article to recover the partition and the files on it.

Step 3. Once the disk space is unallocated, right-click on it and select “Convert to GPT disk”.

Solution 2: Convert MBR to GPT via Diskpart

You'll need to know the number of the MBR disk. If you're not sure, refer to Part 2. Then, open Command Prompt and type each of the following commands one at a time, pressing Enter after each one.

This is a sequence of commands used in the disk management utility `diskpart` on Windows operating systems to clean and convert a disk. Here's an explanation of these commands in English: 1. `diskpart` - Launches the Disk Management utility. 2. `list disk` - Displays all available disks. 3. `select disk 1` - Selects disk number 1 (make sure to choose the correct target disk). 4. `clean` - Removes all data and partition information from the selected disk. 5. `list disk` - Lists all disks again to confirm that the cleaning process is complete. 6. `select disk 1` - Re-selects disk number 1. 7. `convert gpt` - Converts the selected disk to the GUID Partition Table (GPT) format. GPT is a more modern and reliable partition style typically used on UEFI-booted computers. Before executing these operations, ensure that you have backed up important data, as the `clean` command permanently deletes all information on the disk.

People ask these questions too.

There are some popular topics about MBR and GPT online, and you can find the answers here:

1. Can I Convert MBR to GPT?

Yes, you can convert a disk from the MBR partition style to GPT without any partitions or volumes on the disk using Disk Management. If you need to convert the system disk to GPT, you'll require a partitioning software tool.

2. How to Convert MBR to GPT in Windows 11/10?

Generally, there are three methods to convert MBR to GPT.

• 1. Use an MBR to GPT converter tool to convert MBR to GPT.
• 2. Convert MBR to GPT in Windows 11/10 using Disk Management.
• 3. Convert MBR to GPT via Diskpart.

3. What is the GPT format? GPT (Guided Partition Table) is a disk partitioning format used in modern computer systems, particularly those that employ UEFI (Unified Extensible Firmware Interface) instead of the traditional BIOS. GPT is part of the EFI standard and is designed to provide a more secure, reliable, and larger capacity partitioning scheme. In comparison to the traditional MBR (Master Boot Record), GPT allows for up to 128 partitions and can handle disk sizes greater than 2 TB. Additionally, GPT includes backup and checksum features to enhance data security.

GPT stands for Globally Unique Identifier Partition Table, a format used to define hard disk partitions on computers with UEFI boot firmware. It replaces the previous Master Boot Record (MBR) method. While MBR supports partitions up to 2.2 TB, GPT partitions can be as large as 18 exabytes.

4. What is UEFI Boot Mode?

UEFI stands for Unified Extensible Firmware Interface. It is a modern solution that has been gradually replacing the old BIOS on personal computers since the release of Windows Vista Service Pack 1 and Windows 7 in 2007. It can do much more than a BIOS. It may be stored in flash memory on the motherboard, or it can be loaded from a hard drive or network share at boot time. Different UEFI computers will have different interfaces and features.

5. Should I use MBR or GPT?

It depends on how much space you have on your disk. If your drive is over 2 TB, GPT is better than MBR. If your computer uses BIOS, you should choose MBR for the system disk; for data storage on a disk of 2 TB or less, either GPT or MBR will do.