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In this article, we want to familiarize ourselves with two formats, or partitioning styles, including the old MBR format and the new GPT format, and check how to convert them.

Introduction of MBR and GPT formats in hard disk partitioning

Every day, we see the advancement of storage technology and, of course, the increase of the storage capacity of hard drives. As a result, using old partitioning formats is not the answer for new equipment.

The MBR Format is considered old and cannot meet the new storage needs. Instead, the GPT format is a good alternative to the MBR format and covers its limitations. These limits include the maximum number of partitions, storage capacity, and redundancy.

What is the MBR Format?

MBR stands for Master Boot Record. When the drive is formatted, a sector is created where the information related to the partitioning structure and boot partition of the operating System and other information is placed. The MBR Format can only support up to 2 TB of capacity and does not recognize partitions larger than 2 TB, so if you want your partition to have a capacity of more than 2 TB, you should use the GPT Format. Also, in this Format, you can only create a maximum of 4 primary partitions, and redundancy is not supported.

What is the GPT Format?

GPT stands for Guid Partition Table. When the system uses a Firmware or middleware interface (for example, UEFI is another popular middleware, BIOS), the GPT format must be used to install the operating system. Also, in this format, there is no partition size limit, and the partition size can be up to 9.4 ZB. Another advantage of this format is the ability to create 128 partitions. Therefore, the GPT format is more flexible than the MBR format and performs better.

Important note: To convert MBR format to GPT and vice versa, you must first make a backup copy of your data, as all your data will be deleted.

How to distinguish between MBR and GPT

Press Windows + X to detect MBR, GPT, and your System’s current partition Format. In the opened page, click on the Disk Management option. Now, as in the image, right-click on the desired partition and select the Properties option.

In the window that opens, click on the Volumes tab. Pay attention to the Partition Style section to see the System partitioning Format.

How to convert MBR to GPT and convert GPT to MBR

In response to the question of why we convert MBR to GPT?

We must say that each drive is used based on the capacity required for each partition and the number of partitions with one of the MBR and GPT styles.

As mentioned, the system firmware is also a determining factor in the choice of formats. UEFI and BIOS are two firmware.

Important note: To convert MBR to GPT format, you must first make a backup copy of your data, as all your data will be deleted.

Convert MBR partition to GPT using the Disk Management panel

To convert an MBR partition to GPT, select the Disk Management option by pressing the Windows key + X and entering the disk management panel.

Now, you have to right-click on all desired disk partitions so that you can format that disk. After deleting all disk partitions, right-click on the desired disk and select Convert To GPT or Convert To MBR according to your needs. In this way, the MBR hard drive is converted to GPT.

Convert the MBR disk to GPT using the command prompt.

To run the Command Prompt in the Windows environment, use the combination keys Windows + R, write the word cmd and press Enter.

In the opened window, type notepad and press enter.

Connect your hard or flash drive to the System and click Open from the File section.

Select your memory File and back up the information.

Now enter the Diskpart command.

Then, enter the List disk command to display a list of your System’s disks along with their specifications and volumes.

The desired disk is selected through the Select disk * command (instead of the * sign, enter the number of the desired disk). Then, enter the Clean command to delete all the information on that disk.

Enter the Convert to MBR command to convert the target disk to MBR Format. But if you convert your disk to GPT, enter the Convert to GPT command. Then, enter the Exit command and exit.

Convert MBR partition to GPT when installing Windows

During Windows installation, when you reach the first screen of Windows installation, press Shift+F10 keys to open Command Prompt. Now you can follow the steps of the second method in the above material.

Programs and software to change hard drive Format to GPT and MBR

Many software applications can change the hard drive Format to GPT and MB. Examples of these software are Minitool Partition Wizard, AOMEI Partition Assistant, and EaseUS Partition Master. However, some of these peripheral software may cause irreversible problems on your hard disk. Due to the importance of user data, we have refrained from raising issues related to peripheral software and have examined only official and guaranteed ways.

MBR2GPT

Microsoft’s MBR2GPT tool is now available as part of the Windows 10 Creators Update. The free MBR to GPT tool can support systems running Windows 10. However, you can use it to convert your MBR drive to GPT with minimal hassle.

First, you need to check your disc number. Complete the Start Menu search for program management and select the best match. Next, you must select Disk Management and select the desired drive. You can right-click on the disk number and, after selecting Properties, open the Volume Check option and select the current partition type as MBR.

Now press the combination keys Windows + X and select Command Prompt from the desired menu. Right-click on the Command Prompt section and select Run as Administrator.

Now, you need to validate the disk you want. Enter mbr2gpt /validate /disk:[enter your disk number here] /allowFullOS and wait for validation. If the disk cannot meet the conversion requirements, you will receive an error.

Type mbr2gpt /convert /disk:[enter your disk number here] /allowFullOS and press Enter to start the MBR to GPT conversion process. The conversion is done quickly and only takes a few seconds. Do not forget to put the drive number in the desired box.

Now you need to change your operating System to UEFI mode to boot. After the System reboots, press the BIOS/UEFI entry key. Change the boot type to UEFI mode instead of Legacy Mode or something similar.

EaseUS Partition program

If you plan to convert MBR to GPT without losing data, using EaseUS Partition can be effective. Some may find this program easier than other methods. Don’t forget that you have to pay $39.95 to use EaseUS Partition, and this tool is already available for free and is now a part of your operating System.

Log in to the EaseUS Partition Master website. Purchase and download or install the software.

Next, you must enter the program and wait for it to load your drives. Then, find the drive you want. Select the disk, right-click on it, and choose the option to convert MBR to GPT.

Select the Apply option in the toolbar. After selecting this option, the system will restart. You will then enter a new page that shows the conversion process.
To boot, you need to change your operating system to UEFI mode. After the system reboots, press the BIOS/UEFI entry key. Change the boot type to UEFI mode instead of Legacy Mode.

You will see that EaseUS Partition Master can simplify the process of converting MBR to GPT, but its speed is lower compared to Microsoft’s tool.

Conclusion

As you can see, GPT has more advantages than MBR, but you may be worried about converting from MBR to GPT. In this article, we tried to teach the best methods of converting MBR to GPT so that you can get the desired result easily and quickly.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Microsoft’s free utility as effective as EaseUS Partition Master? You can also use the free tool mentioned to convert MBR to GPT.

Is it possible to destroy data during conversion? If you follow the tips mentioned, your information will remain intact.