Jun 08, 2018 Should I install Windows on GPT or MBR? To install Windows on a GPT hard drive, you need to boot into UEFI mode and to install Windows on the MBR, you need to boot into the Legacy BIOS mode. This standard applies to all versions of Windows 10, Windows 7, 8, and 8.1. Windows MBR does not work on GPT disks, it needs an ACTIVE partition. Apr 02, 2018 Set up a new disk on Windows 10 or 8.1 and you’ll be asked whether you want to use MBR (Master Boot Record) or GPT (GUID Partition Table). Today we’re explaining the difference between GPT and MBR and helping you choose the right one for your PC or Mac.
What is GUID Partition Table or GPT? In this post, we will see what a GPT partition is and how they compare to MBR disks and also how to format, remove, delete it or convert GPT disk to MBR disk. GUID Partition Table or GPT uses GUID and is a standard for the layout of the partition table on a physical hard disk.
What is GPT Partition
GPT Partition. Image source: Wikipedia
A GPT Partition is a standard for the layout of the partition table on a physical hard disk, using Globally Unique Identifiers. MBR is the abbreviation of Master Boot Record, and MBR disks are the ones that contain different sectors containing boot data. The first sector, that is, towards the beginning of the disk contains information about the disk and its partitions for the OS to use. However, MBR disks have its limitations, and many newer models of a computer are moving towards GPT disks.
Limitations of MBR Disk
An MBR formatted disk can have only four primary partitions and can manage data only up to 2TB. With data storage needs increasing, the GPT (GUID Partition Table) disks are now being sold with newer computers, that can address more than 2TB of storage. MBR disks reserve the first sector of the disk for storing information about the disk partitions and location of the operating system files.
In other words, the firmware and operating systems rely on this first sector for proper operation of the disk. If the MBR goes corrupt, you may lose general access to the data on the disk.
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In the case of GPT disks, the disk information is replicated more than once, and hence such disks work, even if the first sector gets corrupted. A GPT disk can have up to 128 primary partitions.
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Legacy operating systems may not support GPT disks, but almost all current operating systems, from Windows XP 64-bit onwards to Windows 8.1, support usage of GPT disks.
MBR Disk vs. GPT Disks
The main points of comparison between an MBR Disk and GPT Disk are as follows:
1. An MBR disk can contain only up to 4 primary partitions while the GPT disks can have up to 128 primary partitions
2. If you need more than four partitions, you have to create an extended partition on the MBR disks, and then you create logical partitions whereas, in the GPT disks, there is no such compulsion
3. The first sector and only the first sector of MBR disks contain information about the hard disk, while in GPT disks, the information about the hard disk and its partitions are replicated more than once, so it works even if the first sector goes corrupt
4. An MBR disk will not be able to manage disks of more than 2TB capacity while there is no such restriction with the GPT disks
5. All operating systems support MBR disks while for GPT, only Windows XP 64 bit and later Windows versions are compatible
6. For boot support, only Windows 8 supports 32-bit booting, else all preceding versions like Windows 7, Windows Vista, Windows XP 32-bit versions, cannot boot from GPT disks.
How To Convert GPT Disk To MBR Disk
To convert a GPT disk to MBR, first of all, you will have to remove all the partitions. Before you do this, you will have to back up all the data from the disk to another disk or storage media. You can accomplish a backup using third party tools or the Windows Backup Tool.
Go to Control Panel and from Administrative Tools, select Computer Management and from the window that appears, select Disk Management. In the resulting window, that shows all disks and disk partitions in the right panel, right click and select delete for each of the partitions of the disk that you wish to convert to MBR.
Once all partitions are deleted, you will be left with one whole disk (shown as an undivided chunk in the Disk Management window). Right-click on this disk and select “Convert to MBR disk”. It will take a little while before Windows converts the disk into MBR and then formats it for making it usable.
You can now create partitions using the usual Shrink Disk command or a free third-party partition manager software such as EaseUS Partition Tool or Aomei Partition Assistant. For a detailed read, check out our post on how to convert MBR to GPT Disk in Windows 8 without data loss.
You may need to convert to MBR if you have to use a 32-bit Windows operating system on the computer. The best method would be to use two disks, one MBR, for booting purpose (the system disk) and the other GPT for storage purpose. But if you have only one disk, convert it to MBR, else it may not boot after you install, say, Windows 7 32 bit operating system to the disk. So please be careful.
This was just some basic information about GPT Disks. If you need more, you can refer the following resources:
- Windows and GPT FAQ at MSDN
- How to Change a GUID Partition Table Disk into a Master Boot Record Disk at TechNet
- Windows Setup and installing using the MBR or GPT partition style at TechNet.
This post will help you if your receive Selected GPT formatted disk partition is not of type PARTITION BASIC DATA GUID error.
TIP: Download this tool to quickly find & fix Windows errors automatically
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-->When installing Windows on UEFI-based PCs using Windows Setup, your hard drive partition style must be set up to support either UEFI mode or legacy BIOS-compatibility mode.
For example, if you receive the error message: “Windows cannot be installed to this disk. The selected disk is not of the GPT partition style”, it’s because your PC is booted in UEFI mode, but your hard drive is not configured for UEFI mode. You’ve got a few options:
- Reboot the PC in legacy BIOS-compatibility mode. This option lets you keep the existing partition style. For more info, see Boot to UEFI Mode or Legacy BIOS mode.
- Configure your drive for UEFI by using the GPT partition style. This option lets you use the PC’s UEFI firmware features.You can preserve your data and convert the drive using the MBR2GPT tool. You can also choose to reformat the drive using the instructions below. Reformatting will erase all the data on the drive.
Why should I convert my drive?
Many PCs now include the ability to use the UEFI version of BIOS, which can speed up boot and shutdown times and can provide additional security advantages. To boot your PC in UEFI mode, you'll need to use a drive formatted using the GPT drive format.
Many PCs are ready to use UEFI, but include a compatibility support module (CSM) that is set up to use the legacy version of BIOS. This version of BIOS was developed in the 1970s and provides compatibility to a variety of older equipment and network configurations, and requires a drive that uses the MBR drive format.
However, the basic MBR drive format does not support drives over 4TB. It's also difficult to set up more than four partitions. The GPT drive format lets you set up drives that are larger than 4 terabytes (TB), and lets you easily set up as many partitions as you need.
Reformatting the drive using a different partition style
To wipe and convert the drive by using Windows Setup
- Turn off the PC, and put in the Windows installation DVD or USB key.
- Boot the PC to the DVD or USB key in UEFI mode. For more info, see Boot to UEFI Mode or Legacy BIOS mode.Adorable Christian OutfitsSongs of High Worship, Praise and Deliverance to help you keep the right focus and make it through each day.Psalm 121 (The Message)I look up to the mountains; does my strength come from mountains?No, my strength comes from God, who made heaven, and earth, and mountains.He won't let you stumble, your Guardian God won't fall asleep.Not on your life! Black gospel instrumental tracks.
- When choosing an installation type, select Custom. Free antivirus download best windows xp.
- On the Where do you want to install Windows? screen, select each of the partitions on the drive, and select Delete. The drive will show a single area of unallocated space.
- Select the unallocated space and click Next. Windows detects that the PC was booted into UEFI mode, and reformats the drive using the GPT drive format, and begins the installation.
To manually wipe a drive and convert it to GPT:
- Turn off the PC, and put in the Windows installation DVD or USB key.
- Boot the PC to the DVD or USB key in UEFI mode. For more info, see Boot to UEFI Mode or Legacy BIOS mode.
- From inside Windows Setup, press Shift+F10 to open a command prompt window.
- Open the diskpart tool:
- Identify the drive to reformat:
- Select the drive, and reformat it:
- Close the command prompt window.
- Continue the Windows Setup installation.When choosing an installation type, select Custom. The drive will appear as a single area of unallocated space.Select the unallocated space and click Next. Windows begins the installation.
Make sure Windows Setup boots to the correct firmware mode
To automate this process, you'll need to run Windows Setup through Windows PE, and use a script to detect which mode you’re in before installing Windows. For more info, see WinPE: Boot in UEFI or legacy BIOS mode.