How to Convert MBR to GPT without Reinstalling Windows

With EaseUS Partition Master or MBRGPT, you can convert MBR to GPT without reinstalling Windows. To prevent potential data loss, it is advisable to back up your precious data before changing the partition style. Meanwhile, this article also covers some relevant topics related to MBR and GPT.

"Is it possible to convert MBR to GPT without reinstalling Windows?" The answer is Yes. With the help of EaseUS Partition Master or the MBR2GPT tool, it's possible to convert a disk from MBR (Master Boot Record) to GPT (GUID Partition Table) without needing to reinstall Windows. 

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How to Convert MBR to GPT without Reinstall Windows and Data Loss

If you also want to convert MBR to GPT without reinstalling Windows and data loss, this guide from EaseUS Software can help you. 

Why you Want to Convert MBR to GPT 

Converting from MBR (Master Boot Record) to GPT (GUID Partition Table) is one of the steps required to prepare disks for the Windows 11 upgrade.  And the most notable for greater disk capacities and improved compatibility with contemporary systems. Please have a closer look at the other reasons. 

• Support for Larger Disks: MBR is limited to 2TB per partition, but GPT can support far greater sizes, up to 9.4 zettabytes.
• Increased Partition Limits: MBR allows for a maximum of four primary partitions, or three primary partitions plus one extended partition, including logical disks. GPT, on the other hand, supports up to 128 primary partitions.
• UEFI Compatibility: The UEFI firmware, which is replacing the older BIOS, requires a GPT partition table to boot. To take advantage of UEFI's faster boot times and increased security features, you need to convert to GPT disks.
• Enhanced Data Protection: GPT uses redundancy and checksums to preserve partition table data, making it more resistant to data corruption than MBR.
• Modern Operating System Support: While previous systems may have used MBR, current operating systems, such as Windows 10 and Windows 11, typically advocate or require GPT for best functionality and performance.

That said, one of the primary reasons to convert from MBR to GPT is that the requirements of operating systems are becoming increasingly stringent. 

#1. Convert MBR to GPT without Reinstalling OS via EaseUS Partition Master🔥

Installing Windows is time-consuming, and followed by reinstalling every app and activating software is a major downside. One of the biggest problems when using the standard method to convert MBR to GPT is that you need to delete the partition, recreate it using GPT. Then you need to install Windows, and all the software needs to be reinstalled, which is never an option for many users.

That's where EaseUS Partition Master comes into the picture. The software doesn't delete or format the hard drive partition before MBR to GPT converting process.

One thing you should be aware that MBR to GPT works on the disk level and not on the partition level. So if you need to convert, you need to convert the disk into GPT.

Step 1. Download and launch EaseUS Partition Master on your computer.

Step 2. Go to Disk Converter, select "MBR => GPT" and click "Next" to continue.

Step 3. Select the target MBR disk that you tend to convert to GPT, and click "Convert" to start the conversion.

Here is the list of features and functions of the software that you may also like:

• Easily Resize or Move Partition using the slider feature
• Create, Format, Merge, Wipe and Delete Partitions.
• Clone, Rebuild MBR, Convert to GPT.
• Surface Test and 4K alignment.

Using EaseUS Partition Master is easy, and all you need to do to convert a disk is right-click on it and then choose to convert it to GPT. Make sure the disk is not already converted to GPT. 

Please share this post to help more users convert MBR to GPT without reinstalling Windows!

#2. Convert MBR to GPT without Reinstalling OS via MBR2GPT

If you're not inclined to third-party tools, you can use MBR2GPT (specifically MBR2GPT.EXE) because this Windows command-line utility enables users to convert a disk's partition from the older MBR to the newer GPT partition table format without data loss. 

Step 1. Type cmd in the search bar > select Run as administrator to open the Command Prompt window.

Step 2. Type mbr2gpt /validate /allowFullOS > press Enter to check if the disk is compatible with GPT conversion.

Step 3. Type mbr2gpt /convert /allowFullOS > press Enter to change partition style from MBR to GPT. 

Step 4. Keep pressing the respective key to enter BIOS > enable the UEFI boot mode in your BIOS settings > keep your changes > exit. 

What is MBR?

Master Boot Record (MBR) is a 512-byte boot sector that is present in all partitioned media that use the Master Boot Record partitioning scheme. It supports 4 major partitions, and if one wants more, it uses the Extended Partion, so users are not limited.

Pros:

• MBR is simple and easy to maintain
• Works on all the systems
• Useful when you need a limited number of partitions.

Cons

• The data integrity check is not possible.
• Less Secure
• Not supported by most of the modern OS.

What is GPT?

GPT or GUID Partition Table is a new type of partition table since the invention of MBR (Master Boot Record). It supports all the features of MBR, but instead of 4, you can go for 128 partitions. It is also secure compared to MBR as all important data is hidden. It is used by the latest version of Windows and is supported by most modern Motherboards.

Pros

• Secure
• Data integrity check
• Supports more number of partitions.

Cons

• It cannot be used on an older system because of compatibility issues.
• Needs UEFI for complete support.

Conclusion

How to convert MBR to GPT without reinstalling Windows? As you can see, both EaseUS Partition Master and MBR2GPT have the ability to change MBR to GPT. That said, EaseUS Partition Manager makes it easy to upgrade or convert from MBR to GPT. It will make sure you don't have to reinstall Windows and the rest of the software. 

Along with Conversion, the software also offers comprehensive disk management tools, which are superior to the Windows built-in tools. The ability to use the slider to increase or decrease the disk drive size is fantastic and saves a lot of time.

FAQs about Convert MBR to GPT Without Reinstalling Windows

If you have other more questions on converting MBR to GPT without reinstalling Windows, follow the listed questions and find desired answers below:

1. How to convert MBR to GPT without losing operating system?

• Launch EaseUS Partition Master, go to the Disk Conversion section, select Convert to GPT > click Next.
• Select the OS MBR disk as the target disk > select Convert 
• Once done, reboot the PC and change the boot mode from Legacy BIOS to UEFI.
• Save these changes > reboot the PC.

2. Can I convert MBR to GPT without formatting?

Yes, if you want to convert MBR to GPT without formatting, you'll need to turn to reliable disk conversion software like EaseUS Partition Master for help. It enables you to directly switch the disk type between MBR to GPT without deleting or formatting the disk.

3. Can I convert MBR to GPT during Windows installation?

Yes, you can. Once your computer boots up from the installation media, click "repair your computer" and follow the steps to continue converting MBR to GPT during Windows installation:

Step 1. Press Shift + F10 to open Command Prompt.

Step 2. Type the following command lines one by one and hit Enter each time:

• diskpart
• list disk 1
• clean
• convert gpt
• exit

Step 3. After this, close the command prompt, and you can continue with the Windows installation process.

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