How to Clone GPT to MBR SSD (Worry-Free Tutorial)

Updated on Jun 17, 2024 | by Oaklynn

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In need of GPT to MBR clone
Matters to pay attention on cloning GPT to MBR disk
How to clone GPT to MBR SSD step by step (2 ways)
Way 1. To clone GPT disk in Windows
Way 2. To backup GPT disk and restore to MBR SSD
Verdict

In need of GPT to MBR clone

Replacing a traditional hard disk drive (HDD) with a solid-state drive (SSD) can significantly improve system startup and program loading times. One of the easiest ways to achieve this upgrade without reinstalling the operating system or losing data is to clone the existing HDD to the new SSD. When it comes to partition style, the General Partition Table (GPT) is generally considered more advanced and superior to the Master Boot Record (MBR), leading to a common practice of cloning an MBR-based HDD to a GPT-based SSD in Windows operating systems, including Windows 11, 10, 8, and 7.

However, there are two scenarios that you may need to clone GPT to MBR: when you want to clone a GPT disk to a MBR disk and when you want to clone a MBR disk to a GPT disk. In the first scenario, you have a GPT disk that you want to clone to a MBR disk, which is typically a legacy system.

1. Back up all data on the old HDD.
To transfer everything from GPT to a new drive, you'll need to use a computer that can boot from GPT. On this computer, use a tool like EaseUS Todo Backup or Acronis True Image to clone the GPT disk to the new drive.

Cloning GPT disks can be done on the same computer or on different hardware. In the first scenario, where the cloning is done on the same computer, the process can be carried out. In the second scenario, where the cloning involves different hardware, a different approach is needed.

Bonus tips: Prerequisites for booting Windows from GPT partitioned disk
✍The SYSTEM disk is only supported on 64-bit Windows, while data disks support both 64-bit and 32-bit Windows.
✍ The computer should have a motherboard with a UEFI based firmware that supports booting GPT (GUID Partition Table) disks.

To clone GPT disks and transfer them to an MBR SSD successfully, follow these steps. First, ensure that the GPT disk is not bootable and that the SSD is set to MBR mode. Next, use a cloning software like Acronis or EaseUS to clone the GPT disk to the MBR SSD.

Matters to pay attention on cloning GPT to MBR disk

Cloning a GPT disk to an MBR disk requires more consideration than regular disk cloning due to the differences between the two partition styles. This is because GPT and MBR have distinct characteristics, such as the way they handle partition tables, disk sizes, and boot records, which need to be taken into account when performing the clone.

▶ UEFI based firmware allows GPT disk boot up, while Legacy firmware helps boot MBR disk. Therefore, you'll need to switch the boot mode from UEFI to Legacy after cloning.
▶ MBR partition layout supports up to 4 primary partitions or 3 primary partitions plus 1 extended partition, but GPT disk allows for 128 primary partitions. This is why many users convert their MBR to GPT.
Cloning a GPT disk with 5 partitions to an MBR disk can be problematic, as the partitions may not be compatible with the MBR format. If you use an unqualified cloning tool, the cloning process may not even complete. To avoid this issue, it's recommended to use an intelligent cloning software that can handle the partition changes and ensure a smooth cloning process. This way, you can save yourself the hassle of manually modifying the partitions.

After removing the cloning blind spot from GPT to MBR disk, it's time to learn how to clone.

How to clone GPT to MBR SSD step by step (2 ways)

To clone a GPT to MBR SSD, you need a powerful cloning tool such as Qiling Disk Master Professional to ensure a successful transfer of the GPT disk to the MBR SSD, taking into account the differences in partition table types and sector alignment.

🚀SSD Alignment	When cloning a GPT HDD to an MBR SSD, the partitions will be automatically aligned with the SSD's block boundaries, enhancing the SSD's performance and extending its lifespan.
🔰Intelligent Clone	The backup program copies only used sectors by default, allowing you to save space on your storage device.clone GPT to smaller SSDTo perform a sector-by-sector clone, you can use a tool like Clonezilla or Acronis True Image, which can clone the entire disk, including all sectors, even if the target drive is larger or equal in size. This method copies all sectors indiscriminately, including any unused or empty sectors, which can be useful for preserving the exact layout and structure of the original disk. However, it's worth noting that this method may not be necessary for most users, as a sector-by-sector clone is typically only required in specific scenarios, such as when preserving the exact layout of a disk is crucial.
🔧Edit Partitions	The conversion will overwrite all partitions on the source GPT drive to the target MBR drive. If the target drive is larger, you can use the "Edit Partitions" feature to resize partitions and assign unused space. If there are more than 4 primary partitions on the source drive, they will be converted to logical partitions on the target MBR drive.
🪐Universal Restore	When cloning GPT to MBR SSD for use on a different Legacy BIOS based computer, consider compatibility between dissimilar hardware. Universal Restore is the feature you need to use.move Windows to different computerYou can also create a bootable media to boot a bare metal machine and perform system migration in WinPE. This allows you to migrate systems in a more traditional way, similar to how you would with a physical machine. This approach can be useful in certain scenarios, especially when working with bare metal machines.

To clone a GPT (GUID Partition Table) disk to an MBR (Master Boot Record) SSD, you can use a UEFI disk cloning software. This software allows you to clone the GPT disk to an MBR SSD, which is compatible with older systems that only support MBR.

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Way 1To directly clone Windows 10 to a new hard drive or SSD on the same computer, you can use the built-in Windows feature called "Clone" or third-party software like Acronis True Image, EaseUS Todo Backup, or Macrium Reflect. These tools allow you to create an exact copy of your current Windows installation, including all installed programs, settings, and data, onto the new drive.
Way 2 To backup your GPT HDD and restore it to an MBR SSD on a different computer, follow these steps:

Way 1. To clone GPT disk in Windows

✍Notes:

The target MBR SSD will be overwritten after cloning, so it's recommended to backup files to an external drive or another safe place in case the need ever arises.
Make sure the target disk has enough space to hold all the data on the source disk.

1. Connect the SSD to your machine using a SATA-to-USB cable or by physically installing it, then install Qiling Disk Master Professional and run it.

2. Click Disk Clone under Clone tab.

3. Select the UEFI GPT disk as the source disk.

4. Select the MBR SSD as the destination disk.

5. At the Operation Summary page, check SS alignment and then click Proceed.

Notes:

💜 Sector by sector clone: By checking this option, you will clone all sectors from a GPT SSD to an MBR SSD, regardless of whether they are used or not, which can take a longer time.

💜 Edit partitions: This feature has four options available, but note that checking sector by sector clone will make one of these options unavailable.

Copy without resizing partitions: It will not resize the partition size.
Add unused space to all partitions: It will redistribute unallocated space to each partition of the target disk, fitting the disk's size.
Manually adjust partition size: It allows you to extend unallocated space to any partition on the destination disk you want.
Convert the destination disk from MBR to GPT: If the destination disk has a different partition style than the source disk, it's helpful to convert the partition style of the destination disk to match the source disk.

6. After cloning, shut down your PC. Then, power it back on and repeatedly press a specific key (usually Del or F2) to access the boot startup menu. If you're unsure which key to press, hitting Esc will display the full menu, allowing you to select the BIOS Setup.

7. To change the boot settings, go to the Boot tab, disable UEFI and enable Legacy, save the changes and exit, and then restart your computer.

Way 2. To backup GPT disk and restore to MBR SSD

In case you don't have an USB-To migrate Windows from a GPT HDD to a MBR SSD, you can use Qiling Disk Master to clone the GPT HDD to a backup image, then restore the image to the MBR SSD. This allows you to preserve the Windows installation and data. The process involves creating a backup image of the GPT HDD, which can be done using Qiling Disk Master, and then restoring that image to the MBR SSD.

1. To backup your system drive, click on the Backup button and then select System Backup (or System Disk Backup accordingly).

2. Select the default system-related drives, choose a destination path, and proceed with the backup to a USB flash drive, external drive, NAS, or network share. Click Proceed and wait for the backup to complete.

3. Connect a USB drive to your PC and go to Tools > Create Bootable Media to create a Qiling Disk Master pre-installed bootable media.

4. To manually replace the GPT disk with an MBR SSD, you would need to turn off your computer, disconnect the power cord, and physically swap out the hard drive with the new SSD. This process may require some technical expertise and is best accomplished by watching a video tutorial or following a step-by-step guide specific to your computer model. It's also recommended to back up any important data on the old hard drive before attempting the replacement.

5. To restore your system using Qiling Disk Master, you'll need to boot from a USB drive or CD/DVD that you've created with the Qiling Disk Master software. If your computer doesn't automatically boot from the media, you may need to enter your BIOS settings and change the boot order to prioritize the USB drive or CD/DVD. Once you're logged in, you'll see the Qiling Disk Master interface, where you can click the "Restore" button to access your backup image and follow the on-screen instructions to complete the restoration process.

✍Tips: To restore a system image to a different computer with dissimilar hardware, you can use the Dissimilar Hardware Restore feature, which is available in the advanced edition. This allows you to restore the system image to a new computer with different hardware, making it possible to transfer the system image to a new machine.

Verdict

When cloning a GPT disk to an MBR disk in Windows, Qiling Disk Master Professional offers two available methods. Users can choose the most suitable option for their situation, and the software also provides additional features such as real-time sync and data backup functions to ensure instant data protection.

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