Type "list volume" to find out if there are any partitions or volumes on the MBR disk. Then, enter "diskpart" in command prompt and press enter to run the built-in utility. Or press "WIN+R", type "cmd" and press Enter to open command prompt. Click Start, type "cmd", and right-click command prompt, and select "Run as Administrator". Helpful Tips: If you encounter issues with converting to GPT when using Windows Server 2003, 2008, 2012, 20, then check out AOMEI Partition Assistant Server Edition. To apply the changes, please click " Apply" on the top left of the toolbar. Right-click the disk you want to convert and select “ Convert to GPT Disk”.
Install and launch AOMEI Partition Assistant Professional.
Note: It's available to download the demo version of AOMEI Partition Assistant Professional to have a try! AOMEI Partition is fully compatible with Windows 11/10, 8/8.1, 7, Vista, and XP. Step by step guide to Converting to GPT without Data LossĪOMEI Partition Assistant Professional is a reliable and powerful partition manager that can help you convert MBR to GPT without losing any data when you find yourself unable to use Window Disk Management.Ĭompared with Disk Management, AOMEI Partition Assistant is far more powerful and able to complete a whole range of advanced disk management features such as directly converting to GPT/MBR, resize partitions, move partitions, merge partitions, make bootable devices, and more. ▪ Convert to GPT without losing your data using AOMEI Partition Assistant Professional Edition. ▪ Convert to GPT via CMD (better for data disks that don’t contain system partitions) There are two better solutions for converting the disk to GPT: Depending on the size of your drive this may take a considerable amount of time and it can be prone to errors.
The only way to avoid data loss from both of these methods is by backing up and then restoring your disk after the conversion. Unfortunately, for the majority of users, this is impossible as deleting all data includes uninstalling Windows which you can’t do if you want to use Windows built-in tools to convert the disk. The “Convert to GPT” option will no longer be grayed out once the disk is empty. If you only want to use Windows Disk Management to convert the disk to GPT then you will need to backup all of the data on the disk and delete all the partitions. One is that there are existing partitions on the disk, and the other is that the selected disk contains system files. There are two possible reasons why you can’t easily convert the disk to GPT. However, most users who try to use Disk Management will find that when they right-click the MBR disk the “Convert to GPT Disk” option is grayed out, as seen in the screenshot below. If you want to read more about the differences between MBR & GPT then click on the link.ĭisk Management is a partition tool built-in to Windows that enables users to convert their MBR disks to GPT.
And now the Microsoft declaimed that Windows 11 system only supports UEFI, people who want to experience a new system might have to select GPT disk.Ī user that wants to take full advantage of a disk that’s larger than 2TBs or needs more than 4 primary partitions will need to convert it from MBR to GPT.
A disk in the GPT style is able to hold up to 128 primary partitions and more than 16 million TBs of data. When compared with MBR, GPT disks have greater compatibility with modern hardware and systems as they use the newer UEFI boot mode.
No software is required.Convert to GPT Disk Grayed Out in Windows Disk ManagementĪs we’ve learned before, the maximum size of an MBR-style disk is limited to 2TBs and four primary partitions. You and your recipients can use Sendinc for free. Sendinc is a web-based service that makes it safe and simple to transmit sensitive information via email.
If you're a Windows user, you can likely take advantage of the full disk encryption software, BitLocker, which comes preinstalled on Windows Vista and Pro and Enterprise versions of Windows 7 and above.īesides, what is the best free encryption software?