Convert an MBR disk into a GPT disk

Applies To: Windows 10, Windows 8.1, Windows Server (Semi-Annual Channel), Windows
Server 2019, Windows Server 2016, Windows Server 2012 R2, Windows Server 2012

Master Boot Record (MBR) disks use the standard BIOS partition table. GUID Partition Table
(GPT) disks use Unified Extensible Firmware Interface (UEFI). One advantage of GPT disks is
that you can have more than four partitions on each disk. GPT is also required for disks larger
than two terabytes (TB).

You can change a disk from MBR to GPT partition style as long as the disk contains no
partitions or volumes.

Note

Before you convert a disk, backup any data on it and close any programs that are accessing the
disk.

Note

You must be a member of the Backup Operators or Administrators group, at minimum, to

complete these steps.

Converting using the Windows interface

1. Back up or move the data on the basic MBR disk you want to convert into a GPT disk.
2. If the disk contains any partitions or volumes, right-click each and then click Delete
Partition or Delete Volume.
3. Right-click the MBR disk that you want to change into a GPT disk, and then click
Convert to GPT Disk.

Converting using a command line

Use the following steps to convert an empty MBR disk to a GPT disk. There's also a
MBR2GPT.EXE tool that you can use, but it's a little complicated - see Convert MBR partition
to GPT for more details.

1. Back up or move the data on the basic MBR disk you want to convert into a GPT disk.
2. Open an elevated command prompt by right-clicking Command Prompt and then
choosing Run as Administrator.
3. Type diskpart. If the disk does not contain any partitions or volumes, skip to step 6.
4. At the DISKPART prompt, type list disk. Note the disk number you want to convert.
5. At the DISKPART prompt, type select disk <disknumber>.
6. At the DISKPART prompt, type clean.

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 Note

Running the clean command will delete all partitions or volumes on the disk.

7. At the DISKPART prompt, type convert gpt.

Value Description
Displays a list of disks and information about them, such as their size, the amount
of available free space, whether the disk is a basic or dynamic disk, and whether
list disk
the disk uses the Master Boot Record (MBR) or GUID Partition Table (GPT)
partition style. The disk marked with an asterisk (*) has focus.
select disk Selects the specified disk, where disknumber is the disk number, and gives it
disknumber focus.
clean Removes all partitions or volumes from the disk with focus.
Converts an empty basic disk with the Master Boot Record (MBR) partition style
convert gpt
into a basic disk with the GUID Partition Table (GPT) partition style.

GPT VS MBR - What's the Difference

GPT(or GUID Partition Table) is a standard for the layout of the partition table on a physical
hard disk. It is available on computers with UEFI/EFI installed (not BIOS). GPT disks have
these features:

 It can have 128 partitions on a GPT disk.

 A single partition can have 256TB space.

MBR( or Master Boot Record) is the 512-byte boot sector that is the first sector of a partitioned
data storage device. MBR disks use the standard BIOS partition table. MBR disks have these
features:

 No more than 4 primary partitions on an MBR disk

 2TB maximum allowed space on an MBR disk

The MBR partition method is not recommended for disks larger than 2TB. But why do some
people want to convert to MBR? Here's the reason. You can boot Windows from GPT only if
your computer has UEFI/EFI installed. MBR disks are supported by all Windows versions. How
to convert GPT to MBR without data loss?

We provide you with three solutions to convert a GPT disk to an MBR disk. Solution 1: use
EaseUS Partition Master. Solution 2: use Windows Disk Management. Solution 3: use the
DiskPart command.

 Tip

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 ① Before you convert to MBR, make sure that your motherboard is supported to boot from
BIOS mode.

② You don't have to delete or clean the volumes if you using solution 1. If you try solution 2 or
3, you must make sure that the GPT disk is empty and contains no volumes.

Solution 1: Convert GPT Disk to MBR Disk with EaseUS

Partition Master
EaseUS Partition Master can directly convert GPT disk to MBR disk without any data loss (hard
disk with the system installed is also supported). This partition magic software takes the risk and
difficulty out of converting GPT to MBR, converting MBR to GPT, and resizing partitions on
hard disks. It can be used without any special training. It can do many things:

 Wipe Partition
 Merge Partitions
 SSD 4K Alignment
 Format/Delete a Partition
 Disk/Partition Conversion

...

Compared with Disk Management and Command Prompt, it won't require volume deletion.
Therefore, it is the safest and the most reliable way. Follow the details below and convert GPT to
MBR.

Download Now

Windows 10 is supported

Step 1: Install and open EaseUS Partition Master on your Windows computer.

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Step 2: Right-click the GPT disk that you want to convert and select "Convert to MBR". Then,
you will add a pending operation.

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Step 3: 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.

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Solution 2: Convert GPT to MBR with Windows Disk
Management
Before you convert a disk, back up important data to an external hard drive and close any
programs that are accessing the disk. Also, you must have administrator privilege to do this in
Windows. Disk Management is installed by default and it’s available on your Windows
computer.

 Step 1: Right-click "My Computer" and choose "Manage" -> "Storage" -> "Disk Management".
 Step 2: Right-click the GPT hard disk which you want to convert to MBR disk and choose "Delete
volume".

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  Step 3: Right-click on the GPT disk (which becomes new volume after deleting all volumes on it)
and choose "Convert to MBR Disk".

After you convert GPT disk to MBR disk, you can create partitions on the now MBR disk if you
like.

Solution 3: Convert GPT Disk to MBR Disk via Diskpart

Command
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Back up or move all volumes on the basic GPT disk you want to convert into an MBR disk.

 Step 1: Input: DiskPart at the search bar. Right-click it and then choose "Run as Administrator".
 If the disk contains no partitions or volumes, skip to step 5.

 Step 2: Type this command below and press "Enter". Note the disk number that you want to
delete.

 Step 3: Type this command and press "Enter".

You can also type detail disk and press "Enter". This will give you a list of all the volumes on the
selected disk.

 Step 4: Type this command and press "Enter".

Click to copy

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Running the delete command will delete the partitions or volumes on the disk. Repeat steps 4 for
each volume listed in step 3 until you have deleted all the volumes. You can also run clean
command to delete all partitions.

 Step 5: Type this command and press "Enter".

Command Note:

 List disk

Displays a list of disks and information about them, such as their size, the amount of available
free space, whether the disk is a Basic or Dynamic disk, and whether the disk uses the MBR or
GPT partition style. The disk marked with an asterisk (*) has focus.

 Select disk

Selects the specified disk, where disknumber is the disk number and gives it focus.

 Convert mbr

Converts an empty basic disk with the GPT partition style to a basic disk with the MBR partition
style.

Conclusion
After convert GPT to MBR disk you need to reboot the system, so don't worry if the computer is
shutting down. To ensure the system bootable, you need to enter the BIOS. EaseUS Partition
Master can help you convert disk between GPT and MBR easier and simpler. It can help you
finish the job even you are non-technician. But if you prefer to use the command line, the
Diskpart could be a good choice. But you need to delete the GPT volumes first.