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)
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)
4 Click/tap on the Apply (check) button in the toolbar. (see screenshot below)
5 Click/tap on Yes to confirm. (see screenshot below)
6 The data disk will now start converting from MBR to GPT. (see screenshot below)
7 Click/tap on OK when it has successfully finished. (see screenshot below)
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)
4 Click/tap on the Apply (check) button in the toolbar. (see screenshot below)
5 Click/tap on Yes to confirm. (see screenshot below)
6 The data disk will now start converting from MBR to GPT. (see screenshot below)
7 Click/tap on OK when it has successfully finished. (see screenshot below)
8 You can now close EaseUS Partition Master if you like.
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.
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)
4 You can now create a New Simple Volume on the unallocated GPT disk. (see screenshot below)
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 thediskpart
command into the elevated command prompt, and press Enter. (see screenshot below)
3 Type thelist disk
command into the elevated command prompt, and press Enter.
4 Type theselect 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 theclean
command into the elevated command prompt, and press Enter.
6 Type theconvert gpt
command into the elevated command prompt, and press Enter.
7 You can now create a New Simple Volume on the unallocated GPT disk.
That's it,
Shawn Brink
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