How to Convert MBR to GPT Without Losing Data in Windows
MBR (Master Boot Record) and GPT (GUID Partition Table) are two different partition schemes used in Windows. MBR is the older partition scheme and has limitations like supporting only four primary partitions and a maximum disk size of 2TB. GPT, on the other hand, is a newer and more advanced partition scheme that supports an unlimited number of partitions and a maximum disk size of 9.4 zettabytes.
If you have a large hard drive with more than 2TB or want to create more than four partitions, you’ll need to convert your partition scheme from MBR to GPT. However, converting your partition scheme can be a daunting task for many people, especially if you’re not familiar with disk management. In this article, we’ll show you how to convert MBR to GPT without losing any data.
Before you start the conversion process, it’s essential to back up all your data to an external hard drive or cloud storage. Conversion can be risky, and you don’t want to lose valuable data if something goes wrong during the process. Once you’ve backed up your data, here are the steps to convert your partition scheme from MBR to GPT:
Step 1: Open the Disk Management tool in Windows
Open the Disk Management tool in Windows by searching for “disk management” in the start menu or by pressing “Windows key + X” and selecting “Disk Management” from the list of options.
Step 2: Identify the disk you want to convert
In the Disk Management tool, identify the disk you want to convert from MBR to GPT. You can identify your disk by its size, file system, and disk type. Once you’ve identified the disk, right-click on it and select “Properties”.
Step 3: Check if the disk is MBR or GPT
In the Properties window, go to the “Volumes” tab, and check if the disk is MBR or GPT. If the disk is MBR, you’ll see a message saying “Partition style: Master Boot Record”. If the disk is GPT, it’ll say “Partition style: GUID Partition Table”.
Step 4: Clean the disk
Before you can convert your partition scheme from MBR to GPT, you’ll need to clean the disk. Cleaning the disk erases all data on the disk, so make sure you’ve backed up all your data before proceeding.
To clean the disk, right-click on the disk and select “Convert to GPT Disk”. A warning message will appear, informing you that all data on the disk will be lost. Click “OK” to proceed.
Step 5: Convert MBR to GPT
Once you’ve cleaned the disk, right-click on it again and select “Convert to GPT Disk”. A warning message will appear, informing you that all data on the disk will be lost. Click “OK” to proceed.
After the conversion process is complete, you can create new partitions on your GPT disk without any limitations.