4 Best Free MBR to GPT Converter in Windows (No Data Loss)

MBR vs. GPT, what makes GPT better than MBR?

Master Boot Record (MBR) and GUID Partition Table (GPT) are two types of partitioning schemes for hard drives. While it's common to think that GPT surpasses MBR in terms of progress, it's crucial to understand the exact differences between MBR and GPT. Consider the following aspects to highlight why GPT is superior to MBR:

☻ Capacity: MBR is limited to supporting a maximum capacity of 2TB on the drive, while GPT has an impressive capacity of up to 256 TB.

☻ Partitions: MBR imposes a limit that allows users to create 4 primary partitions or 3 primary partitions and 1 extended partition. In contrast, GPT demonstrates its versatility by accommodating up to 128 primary partitions.

☻ Interface: Generally, MBR is consistent with BIOS (MBR + BIOS), and GPT is seamlessly integrated with UEFI (GPT + UEFI).

☻ Compatibility: MBR demonstrates compatibility with older systems, while GPT becomes the preferred choice for more advanced and newer systems. It's worth noting that GPT is exclusively supported on systems using UEFI. The Windows 11 systems specifically require a GPT and UEFI combination.

4 free tools to convert MBR to GPT in Windows 11/10/8/7

Since a GPT disk has so many advantages over MBR, many users look for a way to convert MBR to GPT for optimal computer usage. So, in this part, we will provide you with four MBR to GPT converters. But one question remains: Will the conversion process cause data loss? The answer depends on the method you choose. Let's delve into these solutions one by one.

Option 1. Convert MBR to GPT via professional software (No data loss)

The best way to convert MBR to GPT is to utilize a third-party disk conversion tool, and AOMEI Partition Assistant Standard Edition is a highly recommended choice. This is the top free software to convert MBR to GPT without data loss.

The Standard Edition meets the needs of users of all proficiency levels on various Windows platforms (including Windows 11/10/8.1/8/7) with its user-friendly design and step-by-step instructions. The intuitive interface ensures a smooth experience, even for beginners trying disk conversion.

★Tips:

Prioritize backing up the MBR disk before starting conversion to reduce potential data loss due to improper operation or unexpected errors.

AOMEI Partition Assistant Standard Edition not only functions as a free MBR to GPT converter but also fixes how to convert GPT to MBR.

To convert MBR system disk to GPT, please verify whether the motherboard supports EFI/UEFI boot mode.

When using the free and best MBR to GPT converter, follow these simple steps:

Step 1. Install and launch the software. Right-click the MBR disk you want to change and select Convert to GPT, or click the disk and select Convert to GPT from the right column.

Step 2. In the "Are you sure to convert the selected disk from MBR to GPT disk?" pop-up window, click OK to continue.

Step 3. Click Apply > Proceed to operate, and your disk will be successfully converted to GPT disk style.

Option 2. Convert MBR to GPT with Disk Management

If data loss on the target disk is acceptable, you can convert MBR to GPT using the built-in Windows tool - Disk Management (DM). Note, however, that DM does not allow conversion of MBR disks with existing partitions. Therefore, you need to delete all partitions on the disk to empty the drive, otherwise, the "Convert to GPT disk" option will be grayed out.

Step 1. Access Disk Management by right-clicking My Computer > Manage > Disk Management.

Step 2. For each partition on the disk that you want to convert, right-click, and select Delete Volume... to clear the disk.

Step 3. Right-click on the target disk and select Convert to GPT Disk.

Step 4. Follow the on-screen prompts to complete the MBR to GPT conversion. This operation is relatively quick to perform.

Option 3. Convert MBR to GPT through Diskpart

Like Disk Management, Diskpart is another built-in Windows tool designed for disk partition management. Diskpart also supports converting empty disks to GPT, which requires deleting all volumes on the disk before using this free MBR to GPT converter.

In this order:

Step 1. Press Win+R on the keyboard at the same time to open the Run dialog box, enter cmd, and then press the Enter key to open the Command Prompt window.

Step 2. In the Command Prompt window, type diskpart and press Enter to start the Diskpart tool.

Step 3. Then, execute the following commands one by one, pressing Enter after each command:

list disks

select disk 1 (replace 1 with the target MBR disk number)

clean

convert gpt

Step 4: After executing these commands, type exit and press Enter to close the window.

Option 4. Convert MBR to GPT using MBR2GPT.exe

The MBR2GPT is another tool that provides a secure way to convert MBR to GPT without changing or deleting existing data on the disk. This makes it a safer option compared to DM and Diskpart. Users can execute this alternative from a Windows Preinstallation Environment prompt or from the standard operating system. The command syntax used is "allowFullOS".

Here are the steps to convert MBR to GPT without data loss using MBR2GPT.exe:

Step 1. Run the command prompt as administrator by using cmd and selecting Run as administrator.

Step 2. Enter the following command in the command prompt and press Enter:

mbr2gpt /convert/disk:X /allowfullos

(X is the target disk number)

Step 3. Then you can wait for the process completed and close the prompt window.

FAQs about MBR to GPT converter

Q1: What is the best tool to convert MBR to GPT?

A: Microsoft recommends using four main tools to convert MBR to GPT: Disk Conversion Software, Disk Management, Diskpart, and Command Prompt. These tools are popular among technical users and Windows beginners.

Q2: Can I convert MBR to GPT without formatting?

A: Yes, you can use reliable third-party tools such as AOMEI Partition Assistant to achieve MBR to GPT conversion without formatting.

Q3: Will I lose data when converting MBR to GPT?

A: The MBR to GPT conversion process carries potential risks of data loss, especially when using certain Windows built-in tools. This risk must be reduced by backing up your data before starting the conversion to ensure protection against unforeseen problems.

Conclusion

To sum up, GPT has many advantages over MBR. For users who are looking for the best MBR to GPT converter on Windows, AOMEI Partition Assistant Standard Edition is the best choice. It ensures a safer conversion process, boasts user-friendly operation, and enhanced compatibility with various Windows operating systems.

For those who require additional features, upgrading to AOMEI Partition Assistant Professional unlocks advanced features. These include the ability to allocate free space to drives, migrate operating systems to SSDs, and clone disks to SSD/HDD without reinstalling. This upgrade provides users with a comprehensive set of tools for effective disk management and optimization.