Can Windows 11 Run on MBR? A Guide to Installing Windows 11 on MBR in 2022

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Can Windows 11 run on MBR, yes or no?

MBR stands for Master Boot Record. The MBR contains information about your operating system and helps your computer boot or load the OS into memory for execution. In simple terms, the MBR is crucial to getting your operating system up and running.

As for the issue, Windows 11 can indeed run on MBR, but only as a second disk. This means you cannot have MBR as your primary drive for Windows 11. Unfortunately, Microsoft has set requirements for GPT (GUID Partition Table) and UEFI configuration, along with Secure Boot, to support the running and installation of Windows 11.

So you need to install Windows 11 with GPT as the OS disk type. However, MBR can work as a second drive with Windows 11. If you don't have a GPT disk, don't worry. Now, let's see how to install Windows 11 on an MBR partition.

How to Install Windows 11 on an MBR Partition

If you have an MBR disk and want to run Windows 11, our article will help you achieve that successfully. Read through carefully and don't miss any steps.

1. Check if your PC meets the Windows 11 system requirements

Before installing Windows 11, you need to ensure that your computer meets the minimum system requirements for running the operating system. Here's a list of the system and hardware requirements for installing Windows 11: 1. **Processor**: Your processor should be 1 GHz (gigahertz) or faster with 2 or more cores on a compatible 64-bit processor or System on a Chip (SoC). 2. **RAM**: At least 4 GB (gigabytes) of RAM is required. 3. **Storage**: You'll need at least 64 GB (gigabytes) of available storage space on an SSD (solid-state drive) or HDD (hard disk drive). 4. **Graphics card**: Compatible with DirectX 12 or later, with WDDM 2.0 driver. 5. **Display**: High definition (720p) display, greater than 9" diagonal, 8 bits per color channel. 6. **Secure Boot**: This feature must be enabled in the BIOS/UEFI to ensure the operating system boots securely. 7. **TPM (Trusted Platform Module)**: A Trusted Platform Module version 2.0 is required for added security features. 8. **Internet connection & Microsoft account**: An internet connection is needed during the installation process for activation and to download updates. Additionally, a Microsoft account is required for certain features. 9. **Windows 10**: Your device should be running the latest version of Windows 10 to be eligible for a free upgrade to Windows 11. It's important to note that these are the bare minimum requirements, and for a better experience, you might want to exceed them, especially in terms of processor speed, RAM, and storage capacity.

• Storage: You need at least 64 GB or more of available space on your C drive when installing Windows 11.
• TPM 2.0 Enabled: Your system must have a TPM (Trusted Platform Module) 2.0 to run Windows 11. Don't worry if it's not enabled, as we'll discuss how to enable it later in the guide.
• UEFI and Secure Boot supported in BIOS: As mentioned, Microsoft requires UEFI and Secure Boot support in the BIOS for installing Windows 11. So, make sure this requirement is met before proceeding with the installation.
• Operating System drive is of GPT disk type: Your operating system drive should be of the GPT type to install Windows 11. However, don't worry, as this guide specifically addresses how to install Windows 11 on an MBR partition.

2. Converting the Disk from MBR to GPT for Installing Windows 11

Microsoft's restriction on MBR when installing Windows 11 is an unavoidable issue. However, you can convert an MBR disk to GPT to install Windows 11. Don't worry; the process is much simpler than it looks with the help of the tool Partition Master.

Partition Master provides an all-in-one solution to help you convert MBR disk partitions to GPT format. It also offers a wealth of features for performing other partition management and creation tasks.

Thus, download the Partition Master tool right now and follow the steps below to convert disk from MBR to GPT:

Step 1. Download and run 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 click "Convert" to start the conversion.

3. Prepare your PC for Windows 11 installation

Before installation, there's an important step to configure the Windows boot mode and enable TPM 2.0. Let's see how it's done.

### Enabling Secure Boot

Step 1: Go to “Settings” and choose “Update & Security.” On this page, select “Recovery.”

Step 2: In the Advanced Startup options, click on Restart now.

Click the Restart Now button.

Step 3: After the restart, select Troubleshoot from the Advanced Startup menu.

Step 4: Click “Advanced options.”

Next up, just translate this into American English:

Step 5: You need to access the UEFI firmware settings.

Step 6: Click the Restart button.

Step 7: You need to access the Boot or Security Settings page. There, look for the Secure Boot option and hit your Enter key once you locate it.

Step 8: Select the Enabled option and press the Enter key.

Step 9: After making your changes, exit the UEFI settings.

Your system will now reboot, enabling Secure Boot on your computer.

### Enabling TPM 2.0

Step 1: Go back to Settings and choose Update & Security. From there, you'll need to select Recovery.

Step 2: Restart in Advanced Startup.

Click the **Restart Now** button. 

Step 3: Choose Troubleshooting.

Step 4: Click “Advanced options.”

Select “Advanced options” to troubleshoot.

Step 5: Next, you need to enter your computer's UEFI firmware settings.

Step 6: Click the Restart button.

Step 7: Navigate to the Boot or UEFI settings page.

Step 8: Now, under “Change the TPM state,” select “Enabled” and hit Enter.

Step 9: Exit the UEFI setup and save your changes.

The system will now restart. It will enable TPM for the Windows 11 installation.

4. Downloading and Installing Windows 11 with an ISO File

Now you're ready to download and install Windows 11. Follow these steps:

Step 1: Download the Windows 11 ISO file by clicking here.

Sign in to your Microsoft account, and select Windows 11 from the menu.

Step 2: Download the 64-bit ISO and save it to your hard drive.

Next, it will prompt you to choose the product language. Select one and click Confirm. This might take some time, and the Windows 11 ISO file will download to your computer.

Step 3: Now, burn the ISO file to a USB drive or DVD to install Windows 11.

Insert your USB drive or CD/DVD into your computer. Then, right-click the Windows 11 ISO file and select “Burn disc image.” From here, select the location of your USB drive or CD/DVD, then click the Burn button.

After a short wait, the Windows 11 file will be burned to your USB drive or disc.

Step 4: Restart your computer and boot from the USB drive or DVD with the Windows 11 installation on it.

Step 5: You should now see the Windows 11 installer. Choose your language, and click the Next button.

Step 6: Enter your Windows 11 product key, then click Next.

Step 7: Accept the licenses and agreements.

Step 8: Choose the Customize installation option.

Select **Custom installation**

Step 9: Select the GPT drive you want to convert and install Windows on, then click Next.

Select the drive to install on

That's it. Proceed with the regular installation process to finish setting up Windows 11. When it's done, Windows 11 will be installed on the drive that was previously formatted as MBR.

Tips for Optimizing Disk Performance in Windows 11

Windows 11 is the latest version of Microsoft's Windows operating system. It comes with significant improvements in both user interface and performance. Hence, it's advisable to optimize the disk performance in Windows 11. Here are some crucial tips for optimizing your Windows 11: 1. **Enable Storage Sense**: Storage Sense is a built-in feature that automatically frees up space on your disk by deleting temporary files and recycling the recycle bin. You can enable this feature in Settings > System > Storage. 2. **Defragment Your Disk**: Although modern SSDs don't require defragmentation, traditional hard drives can benefit from this process. Use the built-in 'Defragment and Optimize Drives' tool to rearrange files for faster access. 3. **Update Drivers**: Outdated drivers can affect your system's performance. Regularly check for updates in Device Manager and install them if available. 4. **Disable Unnecessary Startup Programs**: Many apps run at startup, slowing down your boot process. You can manage these in Task Manager > Startup tab. Disable apps that aren't essential. 5. **Run Disk Cleanup**: This utility helps remove unnecessary files like temporary internet files, system error memory dump files, and more. Access it via the search bar or Control Panel. 6. **Turn On TRIM for SSDs**: TRIM optimizes SSD performance by informing the drive which data blocks are no longer in use. Enable it in the Command Prompt with the command "fsutil behavior set disabledeletenotify 0". 7. **Keep Windows Up-to-date**: Regularly updating Windows ensures you have the latest performance improvements and security patches. Go to Settings > Update & Security to check for updates. 8. **Use a Solid State Drive (SSD)**: SSDs generally provide faster read and write speeds than traditional HDDs, significantly boosting your system's performance. 9. **Adjust Visual Effects**: In Performance Options (accessed through Control Panel), you can choose to adjust for best performance, which turns off many visual effects for a speed boost. 10. **Create a RAM Disk**: If your system has ample RAM, consider creating a RAM disk. This uses your system's RAM as a temporary storage space, which can be much faster than a physical disk. Remember, while these tips can enhance your system's performance, they might not all be applicable or beneficial to every setup. Always make sure to understand what each change does before implementing it.

• Free up C drive space: Ensure that your system C drive has at least 120 GB or more of free space.
• Run Disk Cleanup: Regularly use the Windows Disk Cleanup tool to remove extra and unnecessary files from your C drive.
• Migrate large files: Make sure all large files are stored on drives other than the one where you plan to install Windows 11.
• Antivirus software: It's recommended to run a good antivirus software on your computer regularly.

Conclusions

To run Windows 11, Microsoft requires that devices meet certain hardware and software requirements, including having sufficient available storage, having Trusted Platform Module (TPM) enabled, having Secure Boot enabled, and having a GPT (GUID Partition Table) disk drive.

Therefore, if you're running an MBR disk drive, you need to convert it to GPT first to install Windows 11. With the Partition Master software, this task is much simpler, automatically converting MBR to GPT with just a few clicks.

After you meet all the requirements, download the Windows 11 ISO file, and then install Windows 11 as described in this article.