DiskPart: Convert to GPT in Windows 11, 10, 8, 7

What are MBR and GPT disks?

MBR and GPT are two different disk partition styles. Only when the hard disk is initialized with the partition style set, can it be used to store data, including the operating system. Compared with MBR, GPT is a new partition style, breaking through MBR's limitation on hard disk capacity (only 2TB) and the number of primary partitions (only 4 primary partitions), so more and more people choose GPT.

The difference between MBR and GPT are as follows:

● GPT supports a disk larger than 2 TB in size while MBR cannot.
● MBR booted by Legacy BIOS, GPT booted by UEFI.
● A GPT disk supports volumes up to 18EB and 128 partitions per disk while the MBR disk supports 2TB in size and 4 primary partitions at most.
● GPT partitioned disks have redundant primary and backup partition tables for improved partition data structure integrity.
●  Some Windows systems can only run on MBR or GPT disk, you can find them in the list we show you above. If you plan to upgrade to Windows 11, Windows 11 only supports UEFI boot mode. So you'd better convert the MBR system disk to GPT for Windows 11.

Therefore, to increase partition size, be compatible with UEFI, or get more partitions, some users want to convert their MBR disk to GPT.

Factors to consider before converting

Before converting the partition style of your disk, please pay attention to these factors. First, you need to ensure that your system supports the partition style you intend to convert to. For example, if you want to convert to GPT, your computer should have UEFI firmware.

It is crucial to back up all your important data before proceeding with the conversion process to avoid any potential data loss. Besides, please check the system requirements of your operating system and software to ensure compatibility with the desired partition style. Some older operating systems may have limited support for GPT.

How to use DiskPart to convert to GPT

DiskPart is a command-line disk partitioning utility provided by Microsoft. It allows users to manage disks, partitions, and volumes on Windows operating systems. With DiskPart, you can perform various operations such as creating, deleting, formatting, and resizing partitions. Also, it supports converting MBR/GPT to MBR/GPT. You can refer to the following steps:

Notes:✎...

 Back up the MBR disk that you want to convert in order to keep the data safe because DiskPart only allows users to convert empty disks from MBR/GPT to MBR/GPT.

If you want to convert  GPT to MBR during Windows 7 install, you should press Shift + F10 to open Command Prompt when the Windows Setup window appears.

Step 1. Press the "Windows + R" key simultaneously, and input "diskpart" in the box. Press Enter.

Step 2. Input "list disk" to list all disks connected to your computer and press Enter.

Step 3. Input “select disk n”(n is the number of MBR disk) to select the MBR disk you want to convert to GPT and press Enter.

Step 4. Input "clean" to delete all partitions existing on the target disk and press Enter (backup in advance).

Step 5. Input "convert gpt" and press Enter.

After that, input "exit" to exit Diskpart.

Alternative to DiskPart: convert MBR to GPT without data loss

Although using DiskPart to convert MBR to GPT is easy, it is still difficult for ordinary users, because entering the command prompt is not for everyone. And its biggest drawback is that it needs to clear all the data on the hard disk, and it cannot convert the system to GPT when Windows is running, because it does not support clean system disk data.

To solve these problems, I suggest you use Qiling Disk Master Professional. This powerful MBR to GPT converter can be a great alternative for DiskPart. It allows you to convert MBR to GPT and vice versa without clearing the data. More importantly, its operation is very simple, it only takes three steps to achieve conversion.

What’s more, it goes beyond converting disk to GPT- provides various tools to help users manage their disk partitions efficiently. It also has useful functions like Allocate free space, Shred files or folders, Wipe hard drives, Migrate OS to another disk, Recover lost data, etc.

Please download the Demo to see how to convert MBR to GPT in Windows 11/10/8/7.

• Free Download
• Windows 11/10/8/7, 100% Secure

Step 1. Install and launch the Qiling Disk Master Professional. After opening it, select the target disk and then click “Convert” at the top toolbar. Select the “Convert MBR/GPT” option.

Step 2. Ensure you have converted Legacy BIOS to UEFI, and waiting to finish the conversion.

And wait for the operation to complete. After that, you can go to “This PC” and open the “Properties”, and you will see the partition table has become GPT. If you are converting a system disk, you need to change the BIOS to UEFI  to boot the GPT system disk when restarting.

FAQs about convert disk to GPT

✎ Q1: Is it possible to convert a disk to GPT without losing data?

Yes, it is possible to convert a disk to GPT without losing data. However, it is crucial to back up your data before attempting the conversion process to avoid any potential loss.

✎ Q2: Can I convert the system disk to GPT?

Yes, you can convert the system disk to GPT. However, please note that the process requires additional steps and precautions. It is highly recommended to consult the official documentation or seek professional assistance when converting the system disk.

✎ Q3: Will converting a disk to GPT improve performance?

While converting a disk to GPT itself does not directly improve performance, it unlocks the benefits of GPT, such as support for larger partition sizes and more robust data structures. These advantages can indirectly contribute to better performance, especially in modern systems.

✎ Q4: Can I convert a GPT disk back to MBR?

Yes, it is possible to convert a GPT disk back to MBR. However, the process involves deleting all existing partitions, which will result in data loss. Therefore, it is crucial to back up your data before attempting the conversion.

✎ Q5: Is there any risk involved in converting a disk to GPT?

While converting a disk to GPT is generally a safe process, there are potential risks, such as data loss if not performed correctly. It is essential to follow the instructions carefully and back up your data beforehand to minimize any potential risks.

Summary

Do you know how to convert GPT via DiskPart now? Upon perusing this guide, you will recognize that employing Qiling Disk Master represents the most straightforward approach for converting MBR to GPT without data loss, when compared to the other four solutions. Through this tool, you gain the capability to seamlessly convert between MBR and GPT formats, avoiding the necessity to delete any existing partitions.

By the way, if you are trying to use it in Windows Server, please upgrade to Qiling Disk Master Server.

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