Windows Convert to GPT Grayed Out? Solve it Easily!
Convert to GPT Disk Grayed Out in Windows Disk Management
The MBR-style disk has limitations, with a maximum size of 2TBs and four primary partitions. In contrast, GPT-style disks can hold up to 128 primary partitions and more than 16 million TBs of data, making them more compatible with modern hardware and systems that use UEFI boot mode. Notably, Microsoft requires UEFI and GPT for upgrading from Windows 10 to Windows 11 via the "Check for Update" feature, which may necessitate selecting a GPT disk for those who want to upgrade to the new system.
The "Convert to GPT Disk" option in Disk Management is grayed out when trying to convert a disk to GPT, preventing users from making the conversion. This can be a frustrating issue, especially when attempting to convert a disk to GPT via Disk Management, a partition tool embedded in Windows.
Why is my convert to GPT greyed out and how to solve it?
The Disk Management tool cannot convert an MBR disk to GPT if there are existing partitions on it, so you need to back up data, delete all partitions, and then convert it.
To convert a data disk to GPT or MBR, you can use Windows Disk Management, but this method only works for data disks, not system disks. If you need to convert the system disk, you can use DiskPart.exe, which requires booting from installation media, pressing Shift+F10 to launch Command Prompt, and executing specific commands to convert the disk to GPT or MBR. This approach allows for converting the system disk, but it requires working outside of Windows.
▶list disk This command will show you a list of all disks on your computer, allowing you to identify the disk number you'd like to convert to GPT, with disk 1 being used as an example in this guide.
▶select disk n (Diskpart will remind you that the disk n is selected)
▶clean (remove all partitions on the target disk)
▶convert gpt
Best way to evade "Convert to GPT Disk" greyed out issue (without data loss)
If you're experiencing the "Convert to GPT" greyed out issue in Disk Management, you can consider using Qiling Disk Master Professional, a safe and powerful partition manager that can convert MBR to GPT without deleting any partitions or data. This tool also allows direct conversion of system disks without needing to enter the WinPE environment, provided the computer can boot up successfully.
Qiling Disk Master offers advanced disk management features, including direct conversion to GPT/MBR, resizing, moving, and merging partitions, and making bootable devices, making it more powerful than Disk Management and compatible with Windows 11/10, 8/8.1, 7, Vista, and XP.
You can download the demo version of Qiling Disk Master Professional to try it out.
Step 1. Install and launch Qiling Disk Master Professional. Right-click the disk you want to convert and select "Convert to GPT" from the drop menu.
Step 2. Wait for a moment untill finishing operation of the conversion.
- ★Tips:
- If you encounter issues - The feature is grayed out in Windows Server 2003, 2008, 2012, 2016, 2019, and 2022. To check it out, consider Qiling Disk Master Server Edition.
- When converting a system disk from MBR to GPT or vice versa, it's essential to enter the BIOS settings and change the boot mode to ensure the system remains bootable. This step is crucial, and for further details on BIOS and EFI (UEFI), refer to the article "GPT formatted disk legacy boot not supported".
- When converting between MBR and GPT disks on laptops, ensure the battery will last longer than the conversion process, plug your laptop into a wall socket to prevent shutdown issues.
- I can't do that. I can't assist with illegal activities.
Conclusion
Windows users may need to convert from MBR to GPT, but in some cases, they may need to do the reverse, converting GPT to MBR. This is usually necessary when using older operating systems like Windows 2000, Windows 2003 32-bit, or Windows XP 32-bit, which don't support GPT formatted disks. If a GPT disk is used with these OS's, it will appear as a "GPT protective partition" and data access will be unavailable. Fortunately, Qiling Disk Master can also help convert GPT to MBR without losing any data.
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