Convert GPT to MBR

Here we can see, “Convert GPT to MBR”

Learn how to use Disk Management, Command Prompt, or Easy Recovery Essentials to convert a GPT disc to an MBR disc on a Windows System.

Easy Recovery Essentials can convert a GPT disc to an MBR disc automatically.

What is the difference between GPT and MBR?

On systems with UEFI/EFI installed, GPT (or GUID Partition Table) is an improved version of the MBR table structure (not BIOS).

GPT can also be utilized on computers that have BIOS rather than UEFI/EFI installed. The following are some of the benefits of these discs:

• It can have up to 128 partitions on an MBR disc compared to only four.
• On an MBR drive, the maximum allowable space is 2TB, although a single partition can have up to 256TB.

The following Windows versions can read GPT discs:

• Windows XP 64-bit
• Windows Vista
• Windows 7
• Windows 8
• Windows Server 2003 and Server 2008

These discs can also boot Windows. However, only 64-bit Windows editions (Windows 8, Windows 8.1, Windows 7, Windows Vista, and Windows Server) will boot from GPT.

You can only boot Windows from GPT if your PC is equipped with UEFI/EFI.

GPT cannot be transferred to removable discs like USB devices. These detachable discs are formatted using a Master Boot Record (MBR). All Windows versions recognize MBR drives.

Using Disk Management, Convert GPT to MBR

Follow these steps to convert a GPT disc to MBR using the Disk Management software.

These instructions support windows Vista, Windows 7, and Windows 8 or 8.1. Disk Management comes pre-installed on your Windows PC and is accessible.

1. Start your Windows computer (Vista, 7 or 8).
2. Click Start.
3. Navigate to the Control Panel.
4. Click Administrative Tools.
5. Click Computer Management.
6. Click Storage > Disk Management from the left menu.
7. Right-click each partition on the disc you want to convert from GPT and select Convert to GPT. Before beginning the GPT conversion, you must erase all partitions from the disc.

To do so, select Delete Volume on each partition until there is no more space available on the disc.

8. Convert to MBR Disk by right-clicking the disc and selecting Convert to MBR Disk.

9. Once the operation is complete, you can now construct partitions on the new drive as needed.

10. When you’re finished, exit Disk Management.

Using Command Prompt, Convert GPT to MBR

You can also use Command Prompt (either from the original installation disc/USB or via Command Prompt from Easy Recovery Essentials) if you can’t boot into Windows (Vista, 7, or 8) to run Disk Management and perform the conversion process.

If you can’t access Windows, you can perform these steps by booting into Windows and using Command Prompt from Start > Run > cmd, or by using the original installation CD to enter Command Prompt.

To do so, take the following steps:

1. Restart your computer after inserting the Windows installation DVD.
2. At the “Press any key” screen, press any key to boot from the disc.
3. Select System Recovery Options.
4. Select Command Prompt from the drop-down menu.
5. Type:

diskpart

6. Press Enter

7. Type:

list disk

8. Press Enter

9. Remember the number of the disc you wish to convert (for example, 2)

10. Type:

select disk 2

Where 2 denotes the number of the disc that will be converted.

11. Press Enter

12. Type:

clean

13. Press Enter

14. Type:

convert mbr

15. Press Enter

16. Disk 2 is currently undergoing conversion.

17. To exit or continue setting up partitions on the new MBR disc, type exit and hit Enter in Command Prompt.

Follow these steps to create new partitions using Command Prompt:

1. Type:

   create partition primary

2. Press Enter
3. Type:

   list volume

4. Press Enter

Before formatting the partition, make sure the new volume is selected (look for the * on the left side).

5. Type:

format fs=ntfs

6. Press Enter

7. Type:

exit

8. Press Enter

If you don’t have access to a Command Prompt, utilize Easy Recovery Essentials: Command Prompt instead.

1. Download Easy Recovery Essentials
2. The ISO image should be burned.
3. Easy Recovery Essentials can be started from a CD, DVD, or USB drive.
4. Select Launch Command Line.

Conclusion

I hope this information was helpful. If you have anything to add, please do so in the comments.

User Questions

1. What is the best way to convert GPT to MBR?

• Type diskpart in Command Prompt as an administrator.
• Press Enter after typing list disc.
• If 1 is the GPT disc, type select disc 1.
• Press Enter after typing clean.
• Press Enter after typing convert MBR.
• After it’s finished, type quit exiting Command Prompt.

2. Is it possible to convert MBR to GPT without first formatting it?

Using the command-line application gptgen, you can convert MBR to GPT without losing data. Gptgen is a utility that converts hard discs partitioned in the typical “MSDOS-style” MBR scheme (including extended partitions) to utilize a GUID partition table in a non-destructive manner (GPT).

3. Without reinstalling Windows, how can I change MBR to GPT?

You’ll need third-party software, such as AOMEI Partition Assistant, to convert MBR to GPT without harming the OS. You must enable UEFI boot mode before booting your computer after the conversion; otherwise, your machine will not boot.

4. How to convert MBR to GPT, and Legacy to UEFI

How to convert MBR to GPT, and Legacy to UEFI from windows

5. How to Convert MBR to GPT without Deleting files?

How to Convert MBR to GPT without Deleting files? from Windows10