MBR GPT Convert using diskpart command prompt or disk management will cause data loss, but Free MBR to GPT Converter will keep data intact. Partition Software Macrorit Partition Expert is capable to convert MBR disk to GPT disk without data loss, for system partition conversion, it's very useful.
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On Windows 10, you can use the MBR2GPT command line tool to convert a drive using a Master Boot Record (MBR) to a GUID Partition Table (GPT) partition style, which allows you to properly switch from Basic Input/Output System (BIOS) to Unified Extensible Firmware Interface (UEFI) without modifying the current installation or deleting the data stored on the drive.
BIOS is an essential piece of code that resides on a special chip on the motherboard that enables the connection between hardware and software. This code has been around for a long time, and while it worked pretty well, it was never designed for modern hardware, and it had many limitations, including limitations to partitions smaller than 2TB.
UEFI is the new firmware that replaces the old BIOS, and it introduces several additional features, including support for partitions larger than 2TB, and faster startup, sleep, resume, shutdowns times. Also, it unlocks many of the new security features available on Windows 10. For instance, 'Secure Boot' can protect a device's startup process from malicious programs. 'Device Guard' gives you more advanced controls for app access, and 'Credential Guard' can help prevent pass-the-hash attacks.
In this Windows 10 guide, we walk you through the steps and information you need to know to use the Microsoft MBR2GPT command line tool to convert a drive from MBR to GPT partition style, to switch from BIOS to UEFI mode on your device.
How to convert a drive from MBR to GPT on Windows 10
Unlike previous methods that required to you to back up your data and perform a reinstallation of Windows, the MBR2GPT command line streamlines the process to change partition styles in minutes. The conversion is done by adding the GPT components to the MBR partition without modifying the existing partition and keeping the data untouched.
Usually, you want to start in UEFI mode from the moment you first install Windows 10. However, if you're upgrading a device running Windows 8.1 or Windows 7, or you already deployed Windows 10 using BIOS on computers that support UEFI, you can convert the drive to properly change the system firmware settings from BIOS to UEFI.
Checking MBR or GPT partition style
Before modifying your system configuration, we recommend checking your current settings to see if the system is set to MBR or GPT using these steps:
- Open Start.
- Search for Disk Management and click the top result to open the experience.
Right-click the drive (where Windows 10 is installed) and select the Properties option.
- Click on the Volumes tab.
Under the 'Partition style' field, if the field reads GUID Partition Table (GPT), the drive doesn't need conversion, but if you see the Master Boot Record (MBR) label, you can use the conversion tool to switch.
- Click the Cancel button.
Once you complete these steps, you'll know if it's necessary to change the partition style on your device.
Mbr To Gpt Conversion Software
Also, if you need to change the partition, make sure to check your device manufacturer's support website to find out if the hardware includes support for UEFI before using these instructions.
Converting MBR to GPT partition style (recommended)
To convert a drive using MBR to GPT on Windows 10, use these steps:
- Open Settings.
- Click on Update & Security.
- Click on Recovery.
Under the 'Advanced startup' section, click the Restart now button.
Click the Troubleshoot option.
Click on Advanced options.
Click the Command Prompt option.
- Select your administrator account and sign in with your credentials (if applicable).
Type the following command to validate that the drive meets the requirements and press Enter:
mbr2gpt /validate
Quick tip: The mbr2gpt.exe is located in the 'System32' folder inside the 'Windows' folder. If you want to see all the available options, you can use the
mbr2gpt /?
command.Type the following command to convert the drive from MBR to GPT and press Enter:
mbr2gpt /convert
- Click the Close button in the top-right corner of the console.
- Click the Turn off your PC option.
After you complete the steps, several actions will take place, including validation of the drive and creation of an EFI system partition (ESP). The UEFI boot files and GPT components will be added to the partition. Then the MBR2GPT tool will update the Boot Configuration Data (BCD), and the previous letter will be added to the drive.
Converting MBR to GPT from Windows 10 desktop
The MBR2GPT tool was designed to work offline in the recovery environment, but you can also use it when Windows 10 is fully loaded. However, we do not recommend using this method if you want to avoid possible problems.
To convert a drive from MBR to GPT on Windows 10, use these steps:
- Open Start.
- Search for Command Prompt, right-click the top result, and select the Run as administrator option.
Type the following command to validate the drive and press Enter:
mbr2gpt /validate /allowFullOS
Type the following command to convert the drive to GPT and press Enter:
mbr2gpt /convert /allowFullOS
Once you complete the steps, the tool will try to shrink the main partition and then it'll switch the drive from MBR to GPT.
MBR2GPT return codes
When running the command, you should see '0' as the return code if everything worked as expected, but if the process fails you may see one of the eleven error codes.
Here's a list with the codes and their descriptions:
Return Code | Description |
---|---|
1 | User canceled the conversion. |
2 | Internal error. |
3 | Initialization error. |
4 | Invalid command-line parameters. |
5 | Error on the geometry and layout of the selected disk. |
6 | One or more volumes on the disk is encrypted. |
7 | Geometry and layout of the disk don't meet requirements. |
8 | Error while creating the EFI system partition. |
9 | Error installing boot files. |
10 | Error while applying GPT layout. |
100 | Successful conversion, but some boot configuration data didn't restore. |
MBR2GPT important details
The MBR2GPT command line tool works to convert a traditional hard drive (HDD) as well as a Solid-State Drive (SSD) and even a M.2 drive with any version of Windows 10, but you must run the tool from a computer running Windows 10 version 1703 or later (version 1809 is recommended).
Using this tool, you can't convert drives running an old version, such as Windows 8.1 or Windows 7, but you can upgrade the installation to the latest version of Windows 10, and then you can use the tool to convert from MBR to GPT. However, in this case, it would be a better option to start with a clean installation of Windows 10.
When dealing with a drive using file encryption with BitLocker, you must first suspend the encryption before proceeding with the instructions outlined above.
Finally, while drives using the MBR style can have up to four primary partitions, the drive that you want to convert can't have more than three partitions, because one additional allocation is required to create the UEFI system partition.
How to change the firmware mode from BIOS to UEFI
Once you have converted the drive using a GPT partition style, your device will no longer boot correctly, until you access the motherboard's firmware to switch from BIOS to UEFI.
Usually, this process requires hitting one of the function keys (F1, F2, F3, F10, or F12), the ESC, or Delete key as soon as you start the computer. The only caveat is that these settings will be different per manufacturer, and even by computer model. So make sure to check your device manufacturer's support website for more specific instructions.
While in the firmware interface, find the 'Boot' menu, make sure to enable the UEFI option, save the changes, and then your device should start correctly.
Checking GPT partition style
To verify that the computer is using a GPT partition style, use these steps:
- Open Start.
- Search for Disk Management and click the top result to open the experience.
- Right-click the drive (where Windows 10 is installed) and select the Properties option.
- Click on the Volumes tab.
Under the 'Partition style' field, if the information should now read GUID Partition Table (GPT).
After completing the steps, if the partition is running using the correct partition style, the last thing left to do is to check if the device is using the UEFI firmware mode.
Checking UEFI firmware
To verify that your computer is using the UEFI firmware mode, use these steps:
- Open Start.
- Search for msinfo32 and click the top result to open the System Information experience.
In the System Summary tab, the 'BIOS Mode' should now read UEFI.
Once you complete the steps, if the System Information shows UEFI, then you have successfully switched the firmware modes.
More Windows 10 resources
For more helpful articles, coverage, and answers to common questions about Windows 10, visit the following resources:
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This page includes two direct solutions on how to convert GPT to MBR without Windows OS. If you are installing Windows system like Windows 10/8/7 but received the error message 'The selected disk is of GPT partition style...', stay calm and follow up either method here to get rid of on your own:
# 1. Convert GPT to MBR without Operating System via Bootable USB Drive
# 2. Convert GPT to MBR without Operating System using CMD
How Can I Convert GPT to MBR without Operating System
'I wiped my Windows 7 and thought I could operate with Windows 10. But when I am trying to install Windows 10, it says, 'The Selected Disk is of the GPT Partition Style' and refuses to format the partition.
How do I convert GPT to MBR without operating system and data loss?'
The reason why some users are not allowed to install Windows on GPT is that your computer doesn't support UEFI boot.
For example, the Windows 32 bit operating system can only boot from an MBR disk, so you need to convert GPT to MBR before installing the system. If your disk is in GPT, but the computer doesn't support booting in UEFI/EFI mode, you also need to convert from GPT to MBR.
Usually, you can use the built-in Disk Management and command line to convert GPT disk to MBR. However, if you don't have a Windows system installed on your computer, switching partition style from GPT to MBRon a disk is no longer a simple task.
Don't worry. In the following, we will show you two ways to convert GPT to MBR without an operating system. You can do it with a partition manager or using the Diskpart command.
Convert GPT to MBR Without Operating System via Bootable USB
Professional partition manager software - EaseUS Partition Master enables you to convert GPT to MBR without Windows OS on your computer in two steps.
First, create a bootable disk (via USB disk or CD) on another healthy computer, then connect the bootable USB drive to the target PC and boot computer from the USB bootable disk.
Second, run the EaseUS partition manager to convert GPT to MBR without access to the operating system. No data loss will happen during the process!
Check the detailed steps:
Step 1. Prepare a disc or drive.To create a bootable disk of EaseUS Partition Master, you should prepare a storage media, like a USB drive, flash drive, or a CD/DVD disc. Correctly connect the drive to your computer. Then, launch EaseUS Partition Master, go to the 'WinPE Creator' feature on the top. Click on it.
Step 2. Create EaseUS Partition Master bootable drive.You can choose the USB or CD/DVD when the drive is available. However, if you do not have a storage device at hand, you can also save the ISO file to a local drive, and later burn it to a storage media. Once made the option, click 'Proceed'.
You have created an EaseUS Partition Master WinPE bootable disk now. You can manage your hard disks and partitions through the bootable drive when the computer does not start properly, or the system is not installed.
If you have RAID drives, load the RAID driver first by clicking 'Add Driver' from the menu bar, which can help you add the driver of your device under WinPE environment, as some specific device cannot be recognized under WinPE environment without drivers installed, such as RAID or some specific hard disk.
Step 3. Connect the WinPE bootable disk to the computer. Restart your computer and press F2/Del at the same time to enter BIOS. Set to boot the PC from 'Removable Devices' (bootable USB disk) or 'CD-ROM Drive' (bootable CD/DVD) beyond Hard Drive. Press 'F10' to save and exit.
Step 4. Launch EaseUS Partition Master. Right-click the GPT disk that you want to convert and select 'Convert to MBR'. Then, you will add a pending operation.
Step 5. Click the 'Execute Operation' button at the top-left corner. Next, click 'Apply' and begin to convert GPT disk to MBR. All data is safe with EaseUS partition manager software.
Apart from the disk conversion, EaseUS Partition Master also supports converting FAT to NTFS and converting a logical partition to primary or primary partition to logical.
Convert GPT to MBR Without Operating System Using CMD
As for skilled computer users who don't want to use a third-party partition manager software, you can convert GPT to MBR during Windows installation using CMD command.
- Warning
- If you use Diskpart CMD command to convert GPT to MBR, it will delete all partitions with data on the disk. Therefore, back up data without booting into Windows in advance.
- To convert GPT to MBR without operating system and data loss, the best way is applying EaseUS Partition Master with bootable USB for help.
If you are reinstalling or fresh-installing Windows and need to convert GPT to MBR, follow the next steps to complete the task:
Step 1. Plugin the Windows installation CD/DVD, and start to install Windows. Meanwhile, press Shift + F10 to open the Command Prompt window.
Step 2. Type diskpart in the cmd and hit Enter. Click 'Yes' to open Diskpart.
Step 3. Type list disk and press 'Enter'. Note the disk number that you want to convert to MBR.
Step 4. Type select disk 1 (Replace 1 with the disk number of the disk you need to convert).
Step 5. Type clean and press 'Enter'. It will delete all partitions and data on the disk. Make sure you have made a backup.
Step 6. Type convert mbr press 'Enter'. It will convert the empty GPT partition style to MBR.
After this, you may continue installing Windows on your converted MBR disk by following the on-screen instructions on your computer.
Bonus Tip: Convert MBR to GPT Without Operating System
This tutorial shows how to convert GPT to MBR without Windows OS by using EaseUS WinPE bootable disk and the built-in Diskpart command. Another big request in disk converting, on the contrary, is how to convert MBR to GPT without operating system.
When attempting to create more than four primary partitions on your disk, making full use of a disk with more than 2TB of space, or installing Windows on an EFI system, all this requires you to make your target disk is of MBR style. To do so, you may use the same approaches in this article for help.
Again, converting with Diskpart will remove partitions and data on your disk. To avoid data loss, you may either back up data ahead of time or use EaseUS Partition Master for help.
- If you decide to let EaseUS partition manager software help, here are the detailed steps to convert MBR to GPT without operating system:
Also remember that when you cannot boot up the OS, the creating bootable USB procedure should be done on another healthy computer.
Step 1. Prepare a disc or drive.To create a bootable disk of EaseUS Partition Master, you should prepare a storage media, like a USB drive, flash drive, or a CD/DVD disc. Correctly connect the drive to another bootable computer. Then, launch EaseUS Partition Master, go to the 'WinPE Creator' feature on the top. Click on it.
Step 2. Choose USB or CD/DVD according to the device you connect to the computer.
Step 3. Connect the WinPE bootable disk to the computer. Restart your computer and press F2/Del at the same time to enter BIOS. Set to boot the PC from 'Removable Devices' (bootable USB disk) or 'CD-ROM Drive' (bootable CD/DVD) beyond Hard Drive. Press 'F10' to save and exit.
Step 4. Launch EaseUS Partition Master. Right-click the GPT disk that you want to convert and select 'Convert to GPT'. Then, you will add a pending operation.
Step 5. Click the 'Execute Operation' button at the top-left corner. Next, click 'Apply' and begin to convert the MBR disk to GPT.
- If you choose to use Diskpart CMD command during the Windows OS installation, remember to change the command from convert mbr to convert gpt after selecting the target disk.
FAQS of GPT to MBR or MBR to GPT Disk Conversion
As for inexperienced users, you may still have some doubts about the disk conversion between GPT and MBR. We collected 5 questions that are also asked by other people on Google Chrome and we list a brief answer below each question. We Hope these answers may also help you out.
1. Can GPT be converted to MBR?
Yes. Basically, the partition style of a hard drive can be changed from GPT to MBR or vice versa. It means that you may convert your disk to the desired partition style - GPT/MBR on your computer.
2. How do I change from MBR to GPT in Windows 10?
There are three ways that can help you change hard drive partition style from MBR to GPT in Windows 10.
Mac Mbr To Gpt Conversion Software 2017
If it's a data disk, you can directly use EaseUS Partition Master to convert the disk from MBR to GPT without deleting any partition and data.
Mbr To Gpt Mac
Disk Management or CMD command as shown on this page can also convert your disk to GPT. Yes, the latter two ways will delete all partitions, remove all your personal data. Therefore, you should better back up data in advance. If you deleted a partition without backup, don't worry. You can perform lost partition recovery with the help of EaseUS Partition Master.
If it's a system disk, you need to check whether your computer supports UEFI boot in BIOS at first. Next, apply EaseUS Partition Master with a bootable USB to convert MBR to GPT as the way shown on this page.
3. Will I lose data while converting disk from GPT to MBR or MBR to GPT?
If you use Disk Management or Diskpart CMD command to convert disk, the answer will be yes. It will delete all partitions and data on your disk before changing the disk partition style.
Gpt To Mbr Free Software
If you apply a third-party partition manager software like EaseUS Partition Master for help, it will be no. No data will lose while converting disk between MBR and GPT.
4. How can I migrate OS from MBR disk to GPT SSD disk?
Basically, migrating OS from MBR disk to GPT disk is impossible in a manual way. Fortunately, EaseUS Partition Master with its migrate OS to SSD/HDD feature can
5. How can I partition my hard drive without an operating system?
Usually, a manual partition hard drive method can not work if the operating system doesn't boot up. Good news! EaseUS Partition Master with a bootable USB drive is capable of helping you out. With it, you can partition a hard drive without OS, format hard drive without OS, and even wipe a hard drive without OS.
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