As technology evolves, so do the requirements for our storage solutions. If you’re preparing for a fresh Windows installation or upgrading your system, knowing how to convert MBR to GPT during the process is important. In this guide, we’ll explore the reasons behind this shift and provide step-by-step instructions to ensure your Windows installation aligns with modern standards.
Table of Contents
How to Convert MBR to GPT During Windows 11 Installation
Let’s first see the reasons why people may want to shift to GPT from MBR during Windows installation:
- Capacity Enhancement: Shifting from MBR to GPT is preferred by users requiring large-capacity drives, as MBR has a 2TB limit, while GPT supports up to 18TB disks.
- Windows 11 Compatibility: Windows 11 is prompting users to switch to GPT, as it plans to phase out the outdated MBR partition scheme, enhancing performance and security.
Quick Answer
Here are the steps to convert a disk to GPT during Windows installation:
1. Right-click the Start icon and choose Disk Management.
2. Right-click the desired disk’s volumes and select Delete Volume.
3. Right-click the unallocated disk and choose Convert to GPT Disk.
To convert your system from MBR to GPT after the Windows installation, make sure your system has a separate system partition and is configured to boot in UEFI mode. Below are two simple methods you can follow to ensure a smooth process.
Note: Before jumping on the below methods, make sure to create a restore point just in case something goes wrong.
Method 1: Using Disk Management
During the Windows 11 installation, Disk Management offers a simple method for switching from MBR to GPT. By using this method, you can modify partitions right from Windows Setup. The steps you must take are listed below.
1. Right-click on the Start icon from the taskbar and choose Disk Management.
2. Right-click on the volumes of the desired disk and select Delete Volume.
Note: Repeat it for all volumes.
3. Once the disk shows as unallocated, right-click on it and choose Convert to GPT Disk.
4. After the conversion finishes, close Disk Management. You can install an OS or create new partitions on your GPT disk.
Also Read: How to Convert GPT Disk to MBR Disk in Windows 10
Method 2: Using Diskpart
In addition to the first method, you can also use the built-in utility Diskpart to convert MBR disks to GPT. Remember to back up your disk data beforehand because changing an MBR to GPT with Diskpart necessitates cleaning up the entire drive. Follow the below steps.
1. Click on the Start icon and search for cmd.
2. Right-click on Command Prompt app and select Run as administrator.
3. In the Command Prompt, type Diskpart and press the Enter key.
4. Enter the following commands one after another and hit Enter each time to convert MBR to GPT during Windows installation.
Note: Disk 1 is your MBR disk.
list disk select disk 1 clean convert gpt
5. Type Exit after the conversion completes.
We hope you’ve now learned how to convert MBR to GPT during Windows installation from this guide. Following one of these methods will allow you to easily switch your system from MBR to GPT after installing Windows and enable the GPT partitioning style benefits. Share your queries or suggestions in the comments below, and stay tuned for more insightful articles!
