Convert MBR Disk to GPT Disk in Windows 10  

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    Convert MBR Disk to GPT Disk in Windows 10

    Convert MBR Disk to GPT Disk in Windows 10

    How to Convert MBR Disk to GPT Disk in Windows 10
    Published by Category: Hardware & Drivers
    13 Oct 2021
    Designer Media Ltd

    How to Convert MBR Disk to GPT Disk in Windows 10


    GPT (GUID Partition Table) and MBR (Master Boot Record) are two different partition styles that can be used for a disk.

    MBR disks use the standard BIOS partition table. GPT disks use unified extensible firmware interface (UEFI).

    For more info, see: Windows and GPT FAQ | Microsoft Docs

    This tutorial will show you different ways on how to convert a data disk from MBR to GPT in Vista, Windows 7, Windows 8, and Windows 10.

    You must be signed in as an administrator to convert MBR disk to GPT disk.


    MBR vs GPT Basic Comparison:

    MBR GPT
    Older partition style. Newer partition style.
    All Windows support as data drive. Vista, Windows 7, Windows 8, and Windows 10 support as data drive.
    All Windows can boot from. Windows can't boot from unless installed with 64-bit and UEFI.
    Supports up to 4 primary partitions, or 3 primary partitions and 1 extended partition with up to 128 logical volumes. Supports up to 128 primary partitions.
    Supports up to 2TB for a partition. Supports up to 256TB for a partition.
    Removable media is MBR by default. Removable media cannot convert to GPT.

    To be extra safe, it is always recommended to backup anything you do not want to lose first.



    Contents

    • Option One: Convert MBR Disk to GPT Disk using MiniTool Partition Wizard Free without Data Loss
    • Option Two: Convert MBR Disk to GPT Disk using EaseUS Partition Master Free without Data Loss
    • Option Three: Convert MBR Disk to GPT Disk using Disk Management with Data Loss
    • Option Four: Convert MBR Disk to GPT Disk using Diskpart command with Data Loss







    Although disks configured with MBR-style partition can have up to four primary partitions, for this process to work the disk you want to convert can't have more than three partitions, because one allocation is needed to create the new UEFI system partition.



    1 If you haven't already, you will need to download and install MiniTool Partition Wizard Free Edition.

    2 Open MiniTool Partition Wizard, and click/tap on Launch Application. (see screenshot below)

    Convert MBR Disk to GPT Disk in Windows 10-mbr_to_gpt-minitool_partition_wizard_free-1.jpg

    3 Click/tap on the disk # (ex: Disk 4) of the MBR disk you want to convert to GPT, and click/tap on the Convert MBR Disk to GPT Disk link in the left pane. (see screenshot below)

    Convert MBR Disk to GPT Disk in Windows 10-mbr_to_gpt-minitool_partition_wizard_free-2.jpg

    4 Click/tap on the Apply (check) button in the toolbar. (see screenshot below)

    Convert MBR Disk to GPT Disk in Windows 10-mbr_to_gpt-minitool_partition_wizard_free-3.jpg

    5 Click/tap on Yes to confirm. (see screenshot below)

    Convert MBR Disk to GPT Disk in Windows 10-mbr_to_gpt-minitool_partition_wizard_free-4.jpg

    6 The data disk will now start converting from MBR to GPT. (see screenshot below)

    Convert MBR Disk to GPT Disk in Windows 10-mbr_to_gpt-minitool_partition_wizard_free-5.jpg

    7 Click/tap on OK when it has successfully finished. (see screenshot below)

    Convert MBR Disk to GPT Disk in Windows 10-mbr_to_gpt-minitool_partition_wizard_free-6.jpg

    8 You can now close MiniTool Partition Wizard if you like.







    1 If you haven't already, you will need to download and install EaseUS Partition Master Free.

    2 Open EaseUS Partition Master.

    3 Click/tap on the disk # (ex: Disk 3) of the MBR disk you want to convert to GPT, and click/tap on the Convert MBR to GPT link in the left pane. (see screenshot below)

    Convert MBR Disk to GPT Disk in Windows 10-mbr_to_gpt-easeus_partition_master_free-1.jpg

    4 Click/tap on the Apply (check) button in the toolbar. (see screenshot below)

    Convert MBR Disk to GPT Disk in Windows 10-mbr_to_gpt-easeus_partition_master_free-2.jpg

    5 Click/tap on Yes to confirm. (see screenshot below)

    Convert MBR Disk to GPT Disk in Windows 10-mbr_to_gpt-easeus_partition_master_free-3.jpg

    6 The data disk will now start converting from MBR to GPT. (see screenshot below)

    Convert MBR Disk to GPT Disk in Windows 10-mbr_to_gpt-easeus_partition_master_free-4.jpg

    7 Click/tap on OK when it has successfully finished. (see screenshot below)

    Convert MBR Disk to GPT Disk in Windows 10-mbr_to_gpt-easeus_partition_master_free-5.jpg

    8 You can now close EaseUS Partition Master if you like.






    OPTION THREE

    Convert MBR Disk to GPT Disk using Disk Management with Data Loss


    You will lose all data on the disk you are converting using this option.


    1 Press the Win + R keys to open Run, type diskmgmt.msc into Run, and click/tap on OK to open Disk Management.

    2 In the disk (ex: Disk 3) that you want to convert, right click or press and hold on each partition (volume) on the disk, and click/tap on Delete Volume until the disk shows as unallocated. (see screenshot above)

    You can only convert a disk from MBR to GPT partition style in Disk Management if the disk does not contain any partitions or volumes.

    Convert MBR Disk to GPT Disk in Windows 10-mbr-gpt_disk_management-1.jpg

    3 Right click or press and hold on the disk # (ex: Disk 3) box of the MBR disk you want to convert to GPT, and click/tap on Convert to GPT Disk. (see screenshot below)

    Convert MBR Disk to GPT Disk in Windows 10-mbr_to_gpt_disk_management-2.jpg

    4 You can now create a New Simple Volume on the unallocated GPT disk. (see screenshot below)

    Convert MBR Disk to GPT Disk in Windows 10-mbr-gpt_disk_management-3.jpg






    OPTION FOUR

    Convert MBR Disk to GPT Disk using Diskpart command with Data Loss


    You will lose all data on the disk you are converting using this option.

    Be sure you verify the correct disk number of the disk you want to convert from Disk Management (diskmgmt.msc) before starting this option.


    1 Open either an elevated command prompt or a command prompt at boot for what you want to use.

    2 Type the diskpart command into the elevated command prompt, and press Enter. (see screenshot below)

    3 Type the list disk command into the elevated command prompt, and press Enter.

    4 Type the select disk # command into the elevated command prompt, and press Enter.

    Substitute # in the command above with the actual disk number (ex: "3") of the disk you want to convert.

    For example: select disk 3


    5 Type the clean command into the elevated command prompt, and press Enter.

    6 Type the convert gpt command into the elevated command prompt, and press Enter.

    7 You can now create a New Simple Volume on the unallocated GPT disk.

    Convert MBR Disk to GPT Disk in Windows 10-mbr_to_gpt-command.png


    That's it,
    Shawn Brink






  1. Posts : 32
    Windows 10
       #1

    Another option is to use mbr2gpt.exe, isn't it?
      My Computer


  2. Posts : 68,665
    64-bit Windows 11 Pro for Workstations
    Thread Starter
       #2

    sam781 said:
    Another option is to use mbr2gpt.exe, isn't it?

    Hello Sam, :)

    That is a good option for the OS drive.

    Convert Windows 10 from Legacy BIOS to UEFI without Data Loss Installation Upgrade Tutorials
      My Computers


  3. Posts : 26
    win 10
       #3

    there is another option to convert an MBR disk to GPT during the windows installation(with MCT for example).

    From inside Windows Setup, press Shift+F10 to open a command prompt window. then use diskpart commands.....

    i hope it is useful
    Last edited by realista87; 01 Mar 2019 at 16:28.
      My Computer


  4. Posts : 32
    Windows 10
       #4

    Free version of Minitool and EsayUS doesn't support MBT to GPT conversion. I've just checked.
      My Computer


  5. Posts : 41,412
    windows 10 professional version 1607 build 14393.969 64 bit
       #5

    Right click or press and hold on the disk # (ex: Disk 3) box of the MBR disk you want to convert to GPT, and click/tap on Convert to MBR Disk. (see screenshot below)


    The text displayed Convert to MBR disk
    The image displayed Convert to GPT disk


    Typo?
    Consider changing the text in option 3, step #3: Convert to GPT disk
      My Computer


  6. Posts : 7,606
    Windows 10 Home 20H2
       #6

    zbook said:
    (see screenshot below)
    I see no screenshot in your post.
      My Computer


  7. Posts : 41,412
    windows 10 professional version 1607 build 14393.969 64 bit
       #7

    Matthew Wai said:
    I see no screenshot in your post.
    That was a copy and paste of the text in the tutorial.
      My Computer


  8. Posts : 15,441
    Windows10
       #8

    zbook said:
    Right click or press and hold on the disk # (ex: Disk 3) box of the MBR disk you want to convert to GPT, and click/tap on Convert to MBR Disk. (see screenshot below)


    The text displayed Convert to MBR disk
    The image displayed Convert to GPT disk


    Typo?
    Consider changing the text in option 3, step #3: Convert to GPT disk
    You just replied to a post that was 7 months old?
      My Computer


  9. Posts : 231
    Windows 10 Home 21H1
       #9

    sam781 said:
    Free version of Minitool and EsayUS doesn't support MBT to GPT conversion. I've just checked.
    The paid version does. Also AOMEI Partition assistant has this feature, you could try that - these tools all have a free trial, which is plenty if you only plan to use them once...
      My Computer


 

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