In summary, MiniTool Partition Wizard can not only convert MBR to GPT without data loss in Windows 7/8/10 but also convert GPT to MBR without losing data. If you have the need to do the conversion between MBR and GPT or other partition issues, don't hesitate to use MiniTool Partition Wizard. Convert GPT to MBR without data loss using AOMEI Partition Assistant As we have just discovered, the only way to avoid data loss when using command prompt to convert between GPT and MBR is to. Launch EaseUS Partition Master Free. It can free convert MBR disk(Data Disk) to GPT. MiniTool Partition Wizard is a paid tool but you can use the MiniTool Partition Wizard Free Edition to convert your disk from MBR to GPT. 1.Download and install MiniTool Partition Wizard Free Edition from this link. 2.Next, double-click on the MiniTool Partition Wizard application to launch it then click on Launch Application.

1. Minitool Partition Wizard Mbr To Gpt Without Data Loss Payee
2. Minitool Partition Wizard Mbr To Gpt Without Data Loss Carryforward
3. Minitool Partition Wizard Mbr To Gpt Without Data Loss Recovery
4. Minitool Partition Wizard Mbr To Gpt Without Data Loss In Windows 10

Summary :

MBR vs. GPT, which one is better, and what is the difference between GPT and MBR? In this post, we will explain these 2 aspects in detail. And we will tell you how to initialize them to MBR or GPT without data loss with a piece of professional partition manager - MiniTool Partition Wizard.

When adding a brand new HDD or SSD to computer, you are always asked to initialize the disk along with 2 options:

• MBR (Master Boot Record)
• GPT (GUID Partition Table)

Nevertheless, many people have no idea of this issue so that they have to be hesitating when making a choice between MBR and GPT, and they eagerly hope someone could tell them master boot record vs. GUID Partition Table, which one is better or which one they should choose.

Are you troubled by such an issue? If yes, this post is what you are looking for, which clearly introduces the exact difference between MBR and GPT as well as shows how to choose the most proper one for your own HDD and how to set MBR or GPT for your SSD.

MBR vs. GPT: What's Their Difference

MBR stands for Master Boot Record while GPT represents GUID Partition Table, and they are 2 partitioning schemes for HDD, SSD and removable devices.

To know what partitioning scheme your hard disk is employing, just download and install MiniTool Partition Wizard, which is a free partitioning software to help users explore disk/partition properties, initialize disk (to MBR or GPT), enlarge a partition, change partitioning scheme between MBR and GPT, convert file system between FAT32 and NTFS, and so on.

Then, launch the freeware to get the main window:

From the screenshot you can see I have 2 disks: one MBR and one GPT.

Since MBR and GPT are partitioning schemes, they are doing the same thing: manage how partitions are created and organized on a hard disk, but they differ from each other in many aspects.

Let's see the following paragraphs to learn some information about MBR vs. GPT.

Firstly, MBR and GPT Were Introduced in Different Time

MBR was introduced with IBM PC DOS 2.0 in March 1983 and it is used till now. However, GPT was developed in the late 1990s as part of what eventually became UEFI, and it becomes popular just in recent years.

Secondly, MBR and GPT Have Different Structures

MBR consists of 3 parts, including master boot code, a partition table for the disk, and disk signature. A partition table can hold maximum number of 4 entries for primary partitions in Windows.

However, a GUID Partition Table is composed of a Protective MBR which is used in a way that prevents MBR-based disk utilities from misrecognizing and possibly overwriting GPT disks, a primary GUID partition table header which records its own size and location and the size and location of the secondary GPT header, a primary GUID Partition Entry Array, a backup GUID Partition Entry Array, and a backup GUID Partition Table Header. A GUID partition table could contain up to 128 partition entries in Windows.

This chart comes from https://www.schoonepc.nl/instal/partition.html

From the above, you can know a major difference between MBR and GPT, which are the primary partition number on the HDD or SSD. So, if you choose to set MBR or GPT for SSD.

Thirdly, Supports on Disk Capacity and Partition Amounts Are Different

Support on Partition Amounts

Since an MBR partition table can hold 4 primary partition entries at most, you are only allowed to create the maximum number of 4 primary partitions on an MBR disk. If you want to create more partitions, you have to create an extended partition where lots of logical partitions could reside. However, a logical partition can't be set active.

Top Recommendation: Fix - Disk Already Contains Maximum Number of Partitions Error

On the contrary, a GPT disk theoretically allows an almost unlimited number of partitions, but Windows implementation restricts it to 128 partitions. Each partition on GPT can function like a primary partition on MBR disk.

Support on Disk or Partition Capacity

You can only use 2TB or 16TB of a hard disk's capacity no matter how large the disk is, if you initialize it to MBR. If the disk is using the traditional 512B sector, you can only use 2TB. If it is using 4Kn (4K native) sector, you can use 16TB.

However, a GPT disk can be up to 2^64 logical blocks in length, and logical blocks could be 512 bytes or 4K in size. Therefore, a GUID partition table disk can grow to a very large size compared with MBR partition table disks. Actually, there is no need to talk about disk or partition capacity limit of GPT since there will be no hard disk exceeding the limit in a very long time.

Fourthly, MBR Differs from GPT in Compatibility

All current Windows operating systems can use GPT partitioned disks for data, such as Windows 7, Windows 8, Windows 10, Windows Server 2008, Windows Server 2012, and Windows Server 2016, but only their 64 bit versions support booting from GPT disk when UEFI boot mode is supported and enabled.

In addition, the 32 bit version of Windows XP can only see the Protective MBR, and even the 64 bit version can use GPT disk for data only.

At Last, They Have Different Boot Mode

If motherboard of your computer supports Legacy boot only, you can only boot Windows from MBR disk. To install Windows on GPT disk under this mode, you'll receive the error message 'Windows cannot be installed to this disk. The selected disk is of the GPT partition style'.

Or Windows won't start if it is already installed on GPT disk under Legacy boot mode.

However, if motherboard of your computer supports UEFI boot only, you can only start Windows from GPT disk. To install Windows on MBR disk, you'll receive the error message 'Windows cannot be installed to this disk. The selected disk has an MBR partition table. On EFI systems, Windows can only be installed to GPT disk'.

Similarly, Windows will be unbootable if it is already installed on MBR disk in UEFI boot mode.

But luckily, current motherboards support both Legacy boot and UEFI boot, so you only need to enable the CSM (Compatibility Support Module) in BIOS when you want to boot Windows from both MBR disk and GPT disk, or enable UEFI when you want to boot from GPT disk, or enable Legacy BIOS while you plan to boot from MBR disk.

In addition, even if your motherboard supports one boot mode only, you can still find solutions from the article Windows Cannot Be Installed to a Disk? Here Are Solutions.

Then, let's talk about which partitioning scheme is better, MBR or GPT.

MBR vs. GPT: Which One Is Better or Which One to Choose

Please read all contents in this part and then choose the most proper partitioning scheme for your SSD, HDD, or even removable device.

GPT is better if you are planning to create more than 4 partitions.

We have said an MBR disk can hold 4 primary partitions at most while a GPT disk supports up to 128 primary partitions in Windows, so you can choose GPT if you want more partitions.

GPT is better than MBR if your hard disk is larger than 2TB.

Since you can only use 2TB of space from a 512B sector hard disk if you initialize it to MBR, you'd better format your disk to GPT if it is larger than 2TB. But if the disk is employing 4K native sector, you can use 16TB space.

GPT is better if you seek for security.

GPT disks use primary and backup partition tables for redundancy and CRC32 fields for improved partition data structure integrity, so you can choose this partitioning scheme if you value data security.

Choose GPT rather than MBR for your system disk if UEFI boot is supported.

Compared with booting from MBR disk, it's faster and more stable to boot Windows from GPT disk so that your computer performance could be improved, which is largely due to the design of UEFI. Please remember to enter your computer's BIOS and enable UEFI boot if it isn't.

Choose MBR for system disk if your motherboard doesn't support UEFI boot.

Under Legacy boot mode, you can only initialize your system disk to MBR if you want Windows bootable.

Choose MBR as system disk if you have a 32 bit Windows to install.

Only 64 bit version of Windows can boot from GPT disk.

Choose MBR for system disk if you are still using the very old Windows OS.

If you are running Windows XP or older systems, MBR is the only choice for system disk even if it is a 64 bit system. If not, Windows will be unbootable or cannot be installed.

Well, knowing the differences between MBR and GPT, how can you initialize GPT or MBR for SSD or HDD, or convert a disk that already saves data between MBR and GPT without losing data? These are what we will talk in the following part.

MBR vs. GPT: How to Initialize or Convert Disk Without Data Loss

How to Initialize Disk to MBR or GPT

It's very easy to initialize a MBR or GPT for SSD or HDD, which could be done in both Windows Disk Management and MiniTool Partition Wizard.

In Disk Management:

Press on Win and R key to open Run and type diskmgmt.msc to launch Disk Management. Then, you'll be asked to initialize the newly added hard disk, where you can choose either MBR or GPT.

In MiniTool Partition Wizard:

Launch the program to get its main window:

MiniTool Partition Wizard initializes the newly added disk to MBR by default, but you can select the disk and choose 'Initialize to GPT Disk' or 'Convert MBR Disk to GPT Disk' feature from the left action panel to convert the disk to GPT if you want GPT.

At last, click Apply' button to perform the change.

But what if the disk has been saving lots of data?

How to Convert Disk to MBR or GPT without Data Loss

In Disk Management:

In this case, if you also turn to Disk Management, you'll need to backup important files, and then delete all existing partitions. If not, the option 'Convert to GPT Disk' or 'Convert to MBR Disk' will be grayed out:

In MiniTool Partition Wizard:

Alternatively, you can use MiniTool Partition Wizard to do the conversion, which can keep your data and partition intact.

Firstly, launch the program to get its main window:

Then, select the MBR or GPT disk that you want to convert, and choose 'Convert MBR Disk to GPT Disk' or 'Convert GPT Disk to MBR Disk' from the left action panel.

At last, click Apply' button to execute the change.

Bottom Line

Now, all information about MBR vs. GPT is told to you and you would know which partitioning scheme is better to choose. It's time to initialize GPT or MBR for SSD or HDD or convert old HDD/SSD between MBR and GPT based on the actual needs.

Should you have any questions, feel free to leave us messages in Comments part or send us an email to [email protected].

MBR VS GPT FAQ

MBR (Master Boot Record) and GPT (Guide Partition Table) are two different styles that help the system to manage your disk partitions. MBR is a disk partition standard began operating in 1983 and is still functional today. MBR disk has good compatibility and it is compatible in most operating systems.

The MBR format disk has some limitations. It is only capable of handling disks of up to 2TB and supports only 4 primary partitions. However, on GPT disk, you can have more than four primary partitions on each disk, which can be up to 128 partitions.

Windows system uses a Master Boot Record (MBR) or GUID Partition Table (GPT) depending on the age, operating system, and system firmware. Sometimes it is necessary to convert MBR to GPT. EaseUS Partition Manager Free is your best choice to convert MBR to GPT without losing data. Select the disk to convert > Right-click the MBR disk and choose 'Convert to GPT' > Click 'Apply' to commit the changes. It doesn't require partition deleting or formatting before MBR to GPT converting process.

• Applies to Windows 10/8/7/Vista/XP
• Trusted by over 10,000,000 users for more than 10 years
• Free Windows partition software helps you create, resize, clone, move, merge, and format partitions

Why Convert MBR to GPT

Users want to convert MBR to GPT for various reasons. Usually, people convert MBR to GPT due to three reasons: disk replacement, system upgrading, and personal willingness.

• You are going to replace the disk with a bigger one

A GPT disk supports larger than 2TB volumes while MBR cannot. If your bigger MBR disk is larger than 2TB, you'll need to convert it to GPT. Then you can break the 2TB limitation to make full use of the disk.

• Personal willingness

GPT does not have limitations that MBR suffers from. GPT can hold a nearly unlimited number of partition and there is no need to create an extended partition to make them work. As a result, most people would like to convert MBR to GPT. But the problem is how to convert MBR to GPT without data loss? Here, you can learn the way to convert to GPT easily and quickly.

How to Check the Partition Style of a Disk

You must identify the disk type before you are going to convert to the target type. The easiest way to identify the disk type is by using Disk Management. Under Windows Disk Management, you can check the partitioning scheme of a hard drive:

Step 1. Right-click 'This PC' and choose 'Manage'.

Step 2. Go to 'Disk Management'.

Step 3. Right-click the disk you want to check and choose 'Properties'.

Step 4. Go to the 'Volumes' tab and you will see the partition style under the disk information.

The Best MBR to GPT Converter - EaseUS Partition Master Free

Windows Disk Management can change MBR to GPT disk for free, but it only supports to convert a non-partitioned hard disk. That is to say, you must delete all your partitions on the disk before the converting process, which will result in data loss. Windows Disk Management is not the best choice. You can use free third-party partition management software to convert a hard disk from MBR to GPT. EaseUS Partition Master is our recommendation.

This free program enables you to convert MBR disk to GPT disk without deleting the partitions. So, you can avoid the data loss problem. This wonderful and considerate feature makes this program stand out all other partition management software. Besides, the quick partitioning capabilities allow you to resize disk space without data loss. This tool is useful for all computer users - home, business, and service providers.

How to Free Convert MBR to GPT Without Data Loss

It only takes three steps to easily convert an MBR disk to GPT disk with EaseUS Partition Master Free. Read on and convert to GPT with this converter. By the way, This partition magic software also supports to convert GPT disk to MBR disk, you can try at any time you have a need.

Note: If you want to convert your system disk from MBR to GPT, you need to upgrade to EaseUS Partition Master Pro version.

Step 1. Download and launch EaseUS Partition Master on your Windows computer.

Step 2. Right-click the MBR disk that you want to convert and choose 'Convert to GPT'.

Step 3. After that, find and click the 'Execute 1 Operation' button on the toolbar and choose 'Apply' to start the conversion. You need to restart your device to enable this change.

Other Manual Solutions to Convert MBR to GPT in Windows 10

Minitool Partition Wizard Mbr To Gpt Without Data Loss Payee

If you don't want to download third-party software, you can also convert MBR to GPT using manual solutions.

Solution 1. Convert MBR to GPT Disk with Disk Management

Step 1. Right-click on 'This PC', choose 'Manage', then head to 'Disk Management'.

Step 2. Right-click the volumes on your target disk and choose 'Delete Volume...' (If you accidentally deleted a volume in Disk Management, you can recover the partition and the files on it referring to the linked article.

Step 3. When your disk becomes empty (shows as unallocated space), right-click your disk and choose 'Convert to GPT Disk'.

Solution 2. Convert MBR to GPT via Diskpart

You need to know the number of your MBR disk. If you don't know, you can refer to Part 2. Then, take these operations: open command prompt, type the following commands in Command Prompt, and press Enter after each command.

People Also Ask These Questions

Minitool Partition Wizard Mbr To Gpt Without Data Loss Carryforward

There are some hot topics about MBR and GPT on the internet. You can find the answers here:

1. Can MBR be converted to GPT?

Yes. If you are using Disk Management, you can change a disk from MBR to GPT partition style as long as the disk contains no partitions or volumes. If you want to convert the system disk to GPT, you need to get EaseUS partition software.

Minitool Partition Wizard Mbr To Gpt Without Data Loss Recovery

2. How do I change from MBR to GPT in Windows 10?

Minitool Partition Wizard Mbr To Gpt Without Data Loss In Windows 10

In general, there are 3 ways to convert MBR to GPT.

1. 1. Convert MBR to GPT using EaseUS MBR to GPT converter.
2. 2. Convert MBR to GPT Windows 10 with Disk Management.
3. 3. Convert MBR to GPT via Diskpart.

3. What is GPT format?

GPT, GUID Partition Table, the format used to define the hard disk partitions in computers with UEFI startup firmware. The GUID Partition Table (GPT) replaces the previous master boot record (MBR) method. While the MBR supported partitions as large as 2.2TB, GPT partitions can be up to 18 exabytes.

4. What is UEFI boot mode?

UEFI stands for Unified Extensible Firmware Interface. It's a modern solution to be gradually replacing the legacy BIOS on PCs since the introduction to Windows with Windows Vista Service Pack 1 and Windows 7 in 2007. It can do a lot more than a BIOS. It may be stored in flash memory on the motherboard, or it may be loaded from a hard drive or network share at boot. Different PCs with UEFI will have different interfaces and features.

5. Should I use MBR or GPT?

It depends on your disk space. If your hard disk is larger than 2TB, GPT is better than MBR. If your computer is BIOS-based, choose MBR for the system disk instead; If you use a disk under 2TB for data storage, both GPT and MBR are OK.