How to gtp to mbr without data loss. How to convert GPT disk to MBR without losing data? Converting disk partitions in various ways

Style conversion question hard sections GPT disk to MBR style most often arises when they try to install Windows on a computer with a regular BIOS (Legacy), and not with a UEFI BIOS. Transferred from a UEFI BIOS-based computer or initially initialized with bug hard GPT style disk, being second and providing additional disk space first (main) hard drive with the MBR style will not in any way affect the work inside Windows with user data. On a disk with the GPT style, you can store videos, music, documents and other files, play them, move them to the main disk with the MBR style and back. The problem will only arise when Windows is installed on a GPT disk. The operating system will not install on the GPT disk of a computer with a regular BIOS. But even if there is modern computer with BIOS UEFI, there will still be problems installing the system on a GPT disk if we are talking about 32-bit Windows 7. In such cases, after going through a couple of preparatory windows of the Windows installation process and reaching the selection of disk partitions, the user will be faced with a notification about the impossibility installing the system on a disk with GPT partition style.

In the situation of installing 32-bit Windows 7 on a computer with a UEFI BIOS, of course, you should not give up the benefits of a BIOS with a new format and style of GPT partitions. In this case, it is better to prepare an installation disk with 64-bit Windows 7. But if we are dealing with a computer based on a regular BIOS, the GPT disk partition style must be converted to the MBR style.

This issue is most easily resolved when there is no important data on the hard drive. Without leaving the Windows installation process, partition style hard drive GPT can be converted to MBR using the command line. Not much, but a little more complicated, things will be when such a hard drive has partitions and stored data. Command line Windows does not know how to save data during the style conversion process. Partitions and data will be deleted, leaving only unallocated space on the disk. But some people can convert styles from GPT to MBR and back while preserving the partition markup and stored data. third party Windows programs, for example, disk managers from Acronis, Paragon, AOMEI. The brainchild of the latter - AOMEI Partition Assistant - allows you to do this completely free of charge. We will resort to the help of this program in the process. GPT conversions-disk into an MBR disk with data safety, which will be discussed in this article. But first, let's look at how to convert a GPT disk to MBR with loss of partitions and data during the Windows installation process.

1. Convert GPT to MBR during Windows installation with complete destruction of hard drive data

Inside running Windows, there are many ways to convert disk partition styles. Without preserving sections and data, convert the styles of additionally connected sections hard drives To avoid going far, you can use the standard Windows arsenal - through the disk management utility or, as mentioned, the command line. But only the command line will help if the fact of using the GPT partition style was discovered only during the Windows installation process, and there is no bootable media with a disk manager like Acronis, Paragon or AOMEI.

Repetition is never unnecessary in matters such as deleting data from disks. Therefore, we remind you once again that the instructions below will lead to complete erasure hard data disk.

At any stage of the installation process, including the window with partition selection and a notification that it is impossible to install the system on a GPT disk, press Shift+F10 to open the command line window. In the command line window, first enter the commands that launch the console disk management utility and display a list of connected hard drives:

If the computer has only one hard drive, it will be listed as Disk 0. If there are several hard drives, you need to find out how the desired GPT disk is displayed in the list - as Disk 0, as Disk 1, as Disk 2, etc. In this case, the size of the hard drives will serve as a guide.

In our case, for example, there is only one hard drive, and it is listed as Disk 0. Therefore, the following command will be like this:

If there are two connected to the computer hard drives and more, in the “select disk 0” command, the number 0 must be replaced with the number 1, 2, etc., in accordance with how required disk appears in the list after running the “list disk” command.

The following command is actually the command to convert a GPT disk to an MBR disk:

To exit the console utility, enter the command:

The command prompt window can now be closed in the usual way by clicking the cross on the right top corner windows. If the command line was launched at the stage of selecting disk partitions for installing Windows, click the “Update” option so that the data is displayed taking into account the changes just made.

After updating the data, we will see that the hard drive is now visible as unallocated space. Then you can continue the Windows installation process - either create new partitions on the disk, or click “Next” if all the disk space is allocated for system partition, for example, when using an SSD with a small capacity.

2. Convert GPT to MBR using AOMEI Partition Assistant while preserving hard drive data

To convert a hard drive from GPT style to MBR while preserving the markup and data stored on it, as mentioned above, we will use free program AOMEI Partition Assistant. Naturally, this will require a fully functioning computer. If you have the only GPT hard drive on your computer, you can remove it and temporarily connect it to another computer with working Windows. Or you can do it differently: record on another computer bootable USB flash drive or AOMEI Partition Assistant DVD. This option is suitable for cases when the second computer device is a laptop. After booting from such a flash drive or DVD to source computer with a GPT disk, the latter can be converted to MBR style without Windows Help.

AOMEI Partition Assistant can be downloaded from the official website. The free Standard Edition includes functionality for converting GPT partition styles to MBR and vice versa.

Install the program on a secondary computer and launch it.

2.1. Working on Windows

First let's look at the process of converting GPT to MBR internally Windows systems when the GPT disk is connected to the computer. In this case, in the AOMEI Partition Assistant window we will see at least two hard drives with their layout and partition sizes. Main hard drive with system Windows partition will be listed as Disk 1. The connected GPT disk should be looked for among other disks. In our case, there are only two hard drives, so the GPT disk is listed as Disk 2. Click on this label in the table for visual representation of disks (not on the partitions, but at the beginning of the cell, on the disk itself). After this, in the left panel we will see available operations specifically for hard drives, and not their partitions. Find the “Convert to MBR” command in the list and click it.

We confirm the operation.

Then click the “Apply” button at the top left.

A couple more steps to scare away newcomers: first click the “Go” button,

then we confirm the decision to directly launch the operation.

All – GPT disk converted to MBR disk.

2.2. Working with AOMEI Partition Assistant bootable media

Bootable media is created using the software installed on the system. Windows programs AOMEI Partition Assistant. On the toolbar on the right, in the “Wizards” section, look for the “Make bootable CD master” command and run it.

Decide on the media type - CD/DVD, flash drive or ISO file - and click the “Go” button.

Once the operation of creating bootable media is completed, you can immediately boot from it on the source computer where you need to convert the hard drive from GPT to MBR. Working with AOMEI Partition Assistant from bootable media will be no different from working in Windows. Here we click on the inscription “Disk 1”, since we are dealing with the only connected hard drive. And in the “Disk Operations” section, click the “Convert to MBR” command.

That's it - GPT partition style has been changed to MBR.

Have a great day!

When might it be necessary to convert GPT to MBR? The most likely situation is to display an error message like this:

This can happen when you try to install Windows system 7 with x86 architecture onto a logical disk with partitions under the GPT system. Sometimes the reason may be the lack of UEFI BIOS on the PC.

There are also standard Windows utilities(including those that work during installation) and special software from third-party manufacturers to solve this common problem. In this guide we will try to explain as clearly as possible options for changing GPT to MBR. It’s also worth knowing that it doesn’t exist effective way GPT to MBR conversion on a logical disk with the system, without possible loss of information on it.

This option is feasible if you have already received the dialog box described above about incompatible GPT partition styles. The obvious advantage of this method is that it can be used not only when installing a “clean” system, but also while working in it (only if the hard drive is not a system one).

Attention! All information contained on the HDD will be erased! Knowing this in advance, you can follow this sequence:

• By time new installation Windows (at the stage of being able to select volumes for installation) you need to hold down Shift buttons+ F10 to open the command line window.
• Type the command diskpart, after that - list disk. These steps will make it possible to display a list of all physical disks on this computer
• Run a new command - select disk N, letter N in in this case number of the disk that will be converted.
• Next, you are given two options to choose from: score the team clean, for complete disk cleanup (deleting all partitions) or the option to delete specific partitions selectively using commands select volume, detail disk, and delete volume(the picture shows exactly this moment). The first option is preferable due to speed and simplicity.
• After deleting the partitions, enter at the command line convert mbr- this will just change the style of the disk partition in the MBR.
• When finished, type Exit to exit Diskpart, close the command prompt window and you can continue with the current installation of the system - the error about partition styles will no longer bother you! You will also have the opportunity to create new partitions - just click “set up disk” in the partition setup window.

This option is only suitable for non-system hard physical disk. To do this, you need a valid operating system (Windows 7, 8, 8.1).

From the desktop, hold down the Win + R keys to launch the Run window and enter diskmgmt.msc in the input field and go to the system disk management routine.

In the Disk Management view that opens, you need to find the disk that requires conversion. It is necessary to delete absolutely all partitions on it. This is done by right-clicking on the required partition and selecting the “Delete Volume” option. This procedure must be performed for each hard drive partition!

At the end of the above described manipulations, you need to click on the disk name item using the right button and in the context list click the option “ Convert to MBR disk».

As a result, you will have the opportunity to develop the required volume structure on the HDD yourself.

Specialized paid utilities for changing GPT and MBR partitions with the ability to save all data on logical volumes.

In addition to the above-described “native” options provided in the system itself, for any conversion of GPT partitions to MBR and MBR to GPT, there are programs from third-party manufacturers - Minitool Partition Wizard and Acronis Disk Director. The only disadvantage of this software is that they are paid.

There is another one free analogue programs with similar capabilities - Aomei Partition Assistant. But this program cannot be recommended by our experts. To ensure 100% data retention when updating section styles, especially if the information is on HDD disk important, we strongly recommend contacting our service center "

Disks described in the MBR had maximum size 2 TB and their number did not exceed 4. The capabilities of modern hard drives require improvement software and MBR was replaced by GPT.

GPT is an abbreviation for GUID Partition Table, which has a limit of 128 partitions and a disk size of 9.4 zettabytes. But in order to boot the OS from a GPT disk, the computer must operate in UEFI (United Extensive Firmware Interface) mode, which replaced the BIOS.

Why convert MBR and GPT on Windows 10?

From the above, it is clear that MBR supports partitions up to 2 TB. What does this mean? For example, if the size logical drive is 3 TB, then 1 TB will be defined as unallocated space in Windows 10 and you will not be able to use it. To overcome this limitation, users need to convert MBR to GPT.

In addition to hardware limitations, 32-bit operating systems (Windows XP, Windows 2003, Windows 2000, Windows NT4) also do not support GPT disks. On these operating systems, the GPT disk will be shown as protected, and you will not have access to the data on it until you convert it to MBR.

However, progress does not stand still and many Windows users 10 will have the ability to convert MBR to GPT and vice versa, depending on their needs.

How to convert MBR and GPT on Windows 10?

For Windows 10 users, there are two ways to convert MBR to GPT and vice versa. Let's look at it in detail.

Disk management

Disk Management ( Disk Management) is built-in Windows tool 10, which gives you the ability to modify (create, delete, increase, shrink) partitions, convert them to GPT or MBR.

Use this tool:

• Open the window by clicking “This PC” > “Manage” > “Disk Management”;
• Right-click on the drive you want to convert (for example, “Disk 0”). In the pop-up window, you will see the “Convert to GPT disk” function inactive.

With this tool you can convert to MBR or GPT only if there are no partitions on the disk. You need to delete all partitions on Disk 0 and then convert MBR to GPT and vice versa.

Command line

Command Prompt is a built-in Windows 10 tool that can organize partitions and convert MBR to GPT. The command line allows you to convert MBR to GPT and vice versa only if the disk you plan to work with does not have partitions.

So, we do the following:

• Click “Start” > type “Command Prompt” in the search bar and press “Enter” to open the window;
• Enter "diskpart" and press "Enter";
• Type "list disk" and press Enter;
• Type "select disk N" and press Enter. "N" is the number of the disk you want to convert (for example, "Disk 0");
• Type "clean" and press "Enter" to delete all partitions or volumes on the selected disk;
• Type "convert mbr" and press "Enter" to complete the conversion from GPT to MBR format.

Both of these methods make it possible to convert an MBR disk to GPT and vice versa. But both methods require deleting all partitions from the disk, and you are at risk of losing data. Therefore, before starting the conversion process, do backup copy all data that will be deleted, and then restore it.

Reasons for data loss

There are a number of programs from different manufacturers that allow you to carry out such conversions without losing data. They do not require deleting all partitions. But nevertheless, the risk of data loss still exists, and you need to be prepared for it. After all, there is a possibility of information loss during any operations with partitions and/or disks. For which, as stated above, it is necessary to at least make a backup copy of the data.

But if you do not have the opportunity to use such programs or you realized too late that you made a mistake by not using them, you can restore your files using special programs for data recovery. And in this case it will suit you perfectly Hetman Partition Recovery! After all this program finds all previously created disk partitions and displays them to the user for further analysis and search for deleted information.

Reasons why your data will not be accessible after converting from MBR to GPT:

• You need to install a 32-bit OS, which will not install on a GPT disk;
• The computer uses “old hardware” with a BIOS, and you plan to install a 64-bit OS on this hard drive;
• You plan to use an external USB drive as a boot drive for computers with a BIOS system;
• You have several operating systems installed on your disk with a bootloader that does not support GPT;
• Are you planning to use USB disk as file storage with a router, TV, car radio, etc.;

Reasons why your data will be lost after converting from GPT to MBR:

• Partitions larger than 2 TB cannot be described in the MBR;
• If the disk is split into more than 4 logical partitions, you won’t be able to convert it to MBR;

Therefore, our advice is to approach the issue of converting disks from MBR to GPT and vice versa, thoughtfully and with understanding.

And it replaced the old MBR format. New motherboards, usually supplied with UEFI support. This is logical, because the system boots faster, and the GPT partition table provides support for large-capacity drives. MBR allows you to address no more than 2.2 TB of address space.

Despite the obvious advantages of GPT, sometimes it is necessary to install an operating system on an MBR disk. If you have a disk with GPT markup, it can be easily converted to MBR.

Attention! All information on the drive will be destroyed after converting the disk from GPT to MBR format.

When installing the system on a hard driveA disk with a GPT partition table may receive the following error: Windows cannot be installed on disk 0 partition 1. More details: Installing Windows on this disk impossible. The selected disk has GPT partition style.

Method 1 - the easiest and fastest

When installing the system, you need to go to Disk setup, delete all partitions on the disk and create again. In this case, the disk will be created with an MBR table.

If your hard drive is larger than 2.2. TB then this operation will again create a GPT table on the disk. There is a workaround to solve the problem, given that the system will see no more than 2.2 TB.

If this solution does not help, then you need to try the second method and manually create the necessary partition table.

Method 2 is difficult, if method 1 does not help

Need to boot from installation disk or flash drives with the operating system:
Select desired language-> Next -> Install -> I accept the license terms -> Next -> Complete installation.

— Press Shift + F10(or Fn + Shift + F10) - the command line will start.

— Run a console utility on the command line for working with disks, partitions and volumes in Windows.
diskpart
- Browse the list of drives to find the one you need to convert.
list disk
— Select the required disk.
select disk 0
— Clear the drive of other partitions.
clean
— Convert GPT disk to MBR.
convert mbr
— Quit Diskpart
exit

Please pay attention to the team in the picture list disk. Before converting the disk to MBR, the disk was marked * in the GPT column. After conversion there is no such mark. This means the disk was successfully converted to MBR.

This completes work with the disk. You can continue installing Windows on the disk with the MBR table.

Additional information

Only 64-bit operating systems can be installed and booted on drives with a GPT partition table - Windows Vista x64 SP1, Windows 7 x64, Windows 8 x64, Windows Server 2008 x64 SP1, Windows Server 2008 R2 and Windows Server 2012.

Windows XP x64 and all x86 Windows operating systems cannot boot from a drive with GPT partitions, but they can read and write data.

Windows XP x86 cannot work with GPT disks at all.

In order to be able to boot from a GPT drive, you must boot through the UEFI bootloader.

After the release of Windows 7 saw the light new type hard drive partitions, as a result of which users must perform a number of additional actions when reinstalling the operating system, namely, converting GPT to MBR, which must be performed specifically when installing Windows 7. Interesting fact, that you can also encounter the need for conversion by performing other actions with the OS, but most often this happens during installation. We are going to walk you through the process of moving from GPT to MBR step by step using the most well-known methods and list the most suitable tools for this.

The average user may understand that he needs to change the disk conversion during installation Windows newer 7 versions. Often the problem lies in the lack of UEFI on the computer (instead there is an outdated BIOS), which is necessary for new version OS. The user encounters a problem when going to the disk partitioning screen, encountering a message that interferes with the further process. The message warns that a GPT disk is being used instead of the required MBR. In this situation, all that is available to you is the “OK” button and the menu for interacting with existing disks. The “Next” button will not be available to you in this situation. The opposite situation may also happen, in which the installation will require you not to use GPT, but MBR. Be that as it may, we will tell you about the process of changing the type of hard drive, and in the future, any of you will be able to change it yourself Windows drives 7 in both directions, both from GPT to MBR and to reverse side.

Conversion during Windows installation via command line

The command line is an integrated tool of any Windows that can organize local disks and change GPT to MBR. It is capable of converting GPT to MBR and vice versa, provided that the disk to be converted is not partitioned.

The usage scheme is as follows:

1. Click “Start” > enter “Command Prompt” and run it with administrator privileges;
2. Enter “diskpart” and press “Enter”;
3. Enter “list disk” and press “Enter”;
4. Enter “select disk N” and press “Enter”. Instead of “N” you must put the number of the disk to be changed (for example, “Disk 0”);
5. Enter “clean” and press “Enter” to delete partitions or volumes on the disk that was selected;
6. Enter “convert mbr” and press “Enter”, after which the change from GPT to MBR will be completed.

The method is quite controversial because it entails deleting all information on the media. That is why, before the conversion procedure, we strongly recommend that you reserve the information you need at removable media, and then restore it.

Convert using Windows Disk Management

Disk Management is a tool integrated into Windows 10 that allows you to make changes (create, delete, increase, shrink) partitions, convert them to GPT or MBR.

Here's how to use it:

Programs for conversion without data loss

There are also a number of utilities that allow you to convert disks without losing data. To use them, you do not need to delete all partitions. But it is worth saying that the possibility that the data will be erased is still present and you should be prepared for this, since this possibility is present during all operations with a partition and/or disk. In this regard, we highly recommend that you back up the necessary data on removable media before using any of the programs.
So, if you have made all the necessary preparations, then let's look at three programs that are most suitable for manipulating disks.

AOMEI Partition Assistant Standard Edition

A wonderful and freely distributed utility that allows you to manipulate media. With its help, you can make changes in a couple of clicks file system, partition sizes, cloning, etc. And most importantly, most operations are performed while saving your data (this is the main advantage over standard utilities systems).

Unfortunately, just recently the ability to convert MBR to GPT starting from version 7 of the utility became paid (it is free in version 6.6, so you can install it as an option).

There is no need to dwell on how to download and install the program; everything is standard here. Having launched the utility, in its start window you will see information about which of your partitions are converted to GPT and which to MBR (see picture).

For example, let's look at the MBR to GPT conversion.

Notes!

Convert if necessary system disk(i.e. the disk on which the Windows installation and from which you are present moment and work) - you won’t be able to achieve this in the usual way. Under these circumstances you need:

EaseUS free Partition Master

Another program for converting MBR to GPT is EaseUS free Partition Master. The program, just like the previous one, will save all your data, it is a little easier to learn for users and regularly receives updates from the publisher.

If you decide to opt for this utility, then here is the procedure for completing the conversion using it:

Paragon Hard Disk Manager

Paragon program Hard Disk Manager functions exclusively in the operating system itself, therefore, you should not remove the OS by simply formatting the system partition. Convert the disk first, and then you can perform the necessary actions.
The utility is paid, but is present trial version, which is basically enough for you. To download the program, simply register on the official website, the download link will be sent to your email. All that remains is to download and install it.

1. After launching the application, in the dialog box, select the GPT disk to be edited with one click, and at the top of the window click “ Hard drive" In the contextual one - “Convert to basic MBR disk”, confirm the actions taken by clicking on the green checkmark.
2. In the window that appears, click “Convert”.
3. At the end of the process of transition from GPT to MBR, Paragon will display the “All operations completed” window.
4. After that, close the program and continue to use your PC.

Video: converting GPT disk to MBR

So what better than GPT or MBR? The answer to this question cannot be known without taking into account the requirements that apply to each technology in specific case. MBR and GPT perform the same function - storing information about the disk structure and ensuring the operating system boots. In many ways, these technologies are similar, but there are also differences between them. On at the moment MBR is supported by almost everyone operating systems however, GPT has many advanced features. In addition, in some cases it is impossible for the user to do without GPT installations, for example, when using disks larger than 2 TB.
If you have decided which technology you will use and realized that you need conversion, then here is a video that shows this entire process without data loss using the Paragon Hard Disk Manager program.

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