The Selected Disk Has an MBR Partition Table? 3 Fixes Here!

Disk partitioning errors are quite common while installing the Windows OS. Follow this page and get the full guide to learn how to fix the 'The selected disk has an MBR partition table' error on Windows 10/11 or older computers efficiently.

If you see the message "The selected disk has an MBR partition table" during Windows installation, you are not alone. Many users encounter this error when installing or reinstalling Windows, especially on newer computers or when using a USB installation media. We have noticed a steady increase in users reporting the same issue across technical forums and support communities.

Windows cannot be installed to this disk. The selected disk has an MBR partition table. On EFI systems, Windows can only be installed to GPT disks. - From Reddit

Windows 11 Install - new build, error "The selected disk has an MBR partition table." Following a previous response to this issue, I've run 'diskpart', selected the disk, cleaned the disk, and run 'convert gpt'. Same issue repeats. - Microsoft

Why Windows Shows the "Selected Disk Has an MBR Partition Table" Error

Why does Windows say "the selected disk has an MBR partition table"? At the core of this problem is a mismatch between the system's boot mode and the disk partition style.

MBR (Master Boot Record) and GPT (GUID Partition Table) are two different disk partition styles. Modern computers that use UEFI firmware are designed to work with GPT disks, while older systems running Legacy BIOS typically rely on MBR.

When Windows installation media is booted in UEFI mode, the installer expects the target disk to be formatted as GPT. If the disk is still using MBR, Windows blocks the installation and displays this error. This is why many users see the message without understanding what actually went wrong.

To remove this error, there are a couple of practical methods you can apply. Here is a complete guide about those methods for your assistance. Share this post to help more.

How to Fix 'The Selected Disk Has an MBR Partition Table' Error

This part provides three methods to resolve the issue "Windows cannot be installed on this disk. The selected disk has an MBR partition table. In an EFI system, Windows can only be installed on a GPT disk," enabling you to complete the Windows installation process smoothly. You may choose the appropriate solution based on your preferences and your computer's actual configuration.

The first method involves modifying BIOS boot settings to enable operating system installation on an MBR disk. If you wish to retain UEFI and GPT partition tables, simply convert the current hard drive to a GPT disk. This approach avoids the issue entirely. The second and third methods respectively describe converting MBR to GPT using the lossless conversion tool EaseUS Partition Master and via the command line.

#1. Disable UEFI and Enable Legacy Boot Mode in BIOS

This first way to fix this error is to enable the Legacy Boot Mode in the BIOS settings. Disabling the UEFI mode will no longer show the error, and you will be able to install the Windows OS. Here's the step-by-step guide to performing this activity in the BIOS settings.

Step 1. Restart the computer and enter the BIOS settings. Entering the BIOS settings varies for different Brands, such as HP and Dell. Make sure you hit the correct buttons.

Step 2. Inside the BIOS settings, go to Boot Devices. Here, you will find the Boot order, where you can disable EFI sources. Besides this, you can also change the DVD drive from UEFI to SATA or Legacy Mode for this purpose.

Step 3. Ultimately, save changes and exit to proceed with the Windows installation.

You will no longer get the error while installing Windows on your system.

#2. Convert OS Disk from MBR to GPT

The second way is to convert MBR to GPT with EaseUS Partition Master. This tool comes with a clear interface and supports converting from MBR to GPT without data loss. Unlike Command Prompt, this tool doesn't need to type any command lines, making it easy to use for even beginners.

1. ✔️Works smoothly on Windows 11/10/8/7
2. ✔️No data loss during MBR to GPT conversion and vice versa
3. ✔️Supports converting both data disk and OS disk from MBR to GPT

To fix 'The Selected Disk Has an MBR Partition Table' error, follow these steps:

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.

If you need to convert MBR to GPT, EaseUS Partition Master is an easy tool to do that. Here is the customer review about EaseUS Partition Master.

🔍Review

I've been using this partition management software for a while, and I'm genuinely impressed by its ease of use and powerful features. Highly recommend it to anyone looking for a solid partition manager! - from G2.

📺Video guide on how to convert MBR to GPT:

Feel free to share this amazing tool to help more of your friends to change disk from MBR to GPT online:

#3. Convert MBR to GPT with DiskPart Command Lines

If you prefer using built-in Windows tools and do not need to preserve existing data on the disk, DiskPart provides a direct way to convert an MBR disk to GPT. This method is commonly used during Windows installation or advanced troubleshooting when graphical tools are unavailable.

However, DiskPart works at a low level and requires precise commands. Any mistake may result in data loss or selecting the wrong disk, so it is important to proceed carefully and verify each step before execution.

If data preservation is required, consider using a non-destructive MBR-to-GPT conversion tool, like EaseUS Partition Master, instead.

Step 1. Boot your computer using the Windows installation media. When you reach the Windows Setup screen, press Shift + F10 to open Command Prompt.

Step 2. Apply the following commands to execute the conversion:

• diskpart
• list disk
• select disk (enter the number of the disk in front of this command)
• clean
• convert gpt

Now, proceed with the Windows installation process. You will not get this anymore while installing the Windows OS. Share this post if it does help you.

Tips to Avoid 'The Selected Disk Has an MBR Partition Table' Error

Many users may encounter the problem of the above Reddit user. The solutions in this article help solve the "The selected disk has an MBR partition table" problem. Although you can always fix this error with a little effort, it's always better to avoid such errors in the first instance. Here are a few tips to keep your computer away from this error during Windows installation. These tips include:

1. To ensure compatibility, it is important to check if your computer's motherboard supports Legacy or UEFI modes. You can access this information from the boot menu of your system. This will prevent any potential errors from occurring.

How do you know if your BIOS is UEFI or legacy?
byu/Dover299 inlinux4noobs

2. Check the computer compatibility with different operating systems, such as Windows and Linux. For this purpose, you can read the product description of the system.

3. Check that the disk on which you're going to install the operating system has the acceptable partitioning style for a smooth process of installation. If the disk doesn't have an acceptable partitioning style, it will not support further installation.

Conclusion

In this guide, we thoroughly explored the error "The Selected Disk Has an MBR Partition Table" in every aspect and angle. From the causes of the error to the solutions, such as EaseUS Partition Master, DiskPart, and BIOS settings, we presented a step-by-step guide that will make it easy to remove this error if you see it next time while installing the Windows OS.

Moreover, you can also read the following FAQs if they have more questions about this issue. It will make everything clear in front of you.

FAQs About Fixing The Selected Disk Has MBR Partition Table

Disk partitioning is a bit of a complex topic. This FAQs section will clear most of the questions you’re currently having in your mind.

1. Why does Windows show the selected disk has an MBR partition table error?

This error appears when Windows installation media is booted in UEFI mode, but the target disk uses MBR. UEFI systems require GPT disks, so Windows blocks the installation until the mismatch is resolved.

2. Can I convert MBR to GPT without losing data?

Yes, but only with tools that support non-destructive conversion. Command-line methods like DiskPart will erase all data, so backing up files or using a data-safe conversion tool is strongly recommended.

3. What do I do if Windows cannot be installed on a disk that has a GPT partition style?

You can use the Windows DiskPart feature via Command Line Interface or a third-party application to convert GPT to MBR. Besides this, you can also enable Legacy Boot Mode from the BIOS settings.

For a detailed guide, you may refer to this page for help: Windows Cannot be Installed to This Disk. The Selected Disk is of the GPT Partition Style.

4. Why can't I convert my MBR disk to GPT? What should I do?

The reason you can't convert the MBR disk to GPT is that there are existing partitions on the disk. Once the disk is empty and without any partitions, you can convert your MBR disk to GPT.

5. Does this error mean my hard drive is damaged?

No. The error is related to disk format and boot mode compatibility, not hardware failure. Once the partition style and firmware mode match, Windows installation can proceed normally.