How to Check MBR or GPT in BIOS | 2024 Easy Guide

Updated by

Roxanne 

Updated on Nov 05, 2024

Are you curious about whether your system relies on the Master Boot Record (MBR) or the GUID Partition Table (GPT). Knowing the answer is essential when installing new operating systems or managing disks. To find out, you'll typically need to check your BIOS (Basic Input/Output System). However, navigating the BIOS to determine your partitioning scheme can be a challenge.

EaseUS provides clear steps to determine whether your system uses MBR or GPT in the BIOS. So, learn how to check MBR or GPT in BIOS through this straightforward guide.

What Is MBR and GPT Partition Style?

MBR is an older method of setting up disk partitions. It cannot handle partitions larger than 2.2 TB because it uses 32-bit addresses to locate data on the disk.

On the other hand, GPT is a newer partitioning style with no practical limits on partition size. GPT uses 64-bit addressing, allowing it to support much larger drives.

When should you choose MBR or GPT?

You should use MBR while:

• You are working with older versions of Windows, like Windows XP or Windows 7.
• Your hard drive or SSD is smaller than 2 TB.
• You need to boot from a legacy BIOS system (not UEFI).

On the other hand, choose GPT if:

• You are installing newer versions of Windows, such as Windows 8, 10, or 11.
• Your drives are larger than 2 TB and require larger partitions.
• You want to use modern UEFI boot methods.
• You need advanced features like a boot partition and enhanced data safety.

Now, you will learn four tips about how to check MBR or GPT, don't forget to share with your friends:

How do you check MBR or GPT partition style - 4 Ways

In this section, we'll learn and discuss how to check MBR or GPT in BIOS step-by-step, making it easier for you to understand your system's configuration. There are several methods to determine your partition style, whether you're accessing it through BIOS or directly from Windows.

Way 1. Check the Drive. Is MBR or GPT in BIOS

To check MBR or GPT partition style in the BIOS, follow these steps:

Step 1. Restart your PC and instantly press "F2" or "Del" to enter the BIOS settings before the Windows operating system starts.

Step 2. Navigate to the "Boot" tab in the BIOS menu. Here, you can view the current partition scheme and the boot order settings.

Way 2. 1-Click Way to Check Partition Style in Windows

A quick and easy way to check your partition style is by using EaseUS Partition Master Free. This tool simplifies the process and provides accurate information, whether your drive uses MBR or GPT.

Here's how to use EaseUS Partition Master:

Step 1. Launch EaseUS Partition Master and switch to the "Partition Manager" tab.

Step 2. Find the target disk or partition, and you will find its information, including partition style.

Advantages of EaseUS Partition Master:

• Ease of Use: It offers a straightforward, 1-click solution.
• Time-Saving: Provides accurate information without needing multiple steps or commands.
• Comprehensive Disk Management: Offers various other disk management features, including:

Way 3. View Disk Partition Scheme via Disk Management

You can also check your partition style through Windows Disk Management. Follow the steps:

Step 1. Right-click the Start menu/Windows icon and choose Disk Management from the context menu.

Step 2. In Disk Management, right-click the disk and select "Properties."

Step 3. Navigate to the "Volumes" tab to check the partition style.

Way 4. Check Windows Disk Partition Type via Diskpart

In this method, you need to execute a few simple Diskpart commands through Command Prompt to get information about your disk partitions. Follow the steps to check the disk partition style via Diskpart:

Step 1. Search "CMD" in the Windows search bar, right-click on the Command Prompt, and click "Run as administrator."

Step 2. Type diskpart and press Enter.

Step 3. Type list disk and press Enter to show the disks connected to your system.

Step 4. In the results, if a disk has an asterisk (*) under the "GPT" column, it uses the GPT partition style. If there's no asterisk, the disk is MBR.

Conclusion

Understanding whether your hard drive uses MBR or GPT is crucial for effectively managing your system's storage and ensuring compatibility with your operating system. This guide has provided various methods to check your partition style, either through BIOS settings or directly in Windows, making it easier for you to find this important information.

While manual methods like checking through BIOS, Disk Management, or Diskpart can work, they often require multiple steps and some technical know-how. If you want a simpler, faster solution, use EaseUS Partition Master. This tool not only allows you to check your partition style with a single click but also offers a range of additional disk management features like converting between MBR and GPT without data loss, resizing partitions, and more.

Give EaseUS Partition Master a try to make disk management straightforward and efficient.

FAQs About How to Check MBR or GPT in BIOS

Have more queries? Check out the FAQs below!

1. How do you check if BIOS Mode is UEFI/Legacy?

Here's a quick way to check:

• Press Windows + R to open the Run dialog box, then type msinfo32 and hit Enter.
• In the System Information window, locate "BIOS Mode".

2. How to convert MBR to GPT?

This process will erase your data. Hence, back up or move any data on the MBR disk beforehand. Here's how to convert an MBR disk to GPT:

• Run Command Prompt as administrator.
• Type diskpart and press Enter.
• Type list disk and press Enter to see all disks. Note the number of the MBR disk.
• Type select disk X (change X with your disk number) and hit Enter.
• Type clean and hit Enter to delete all partitions.
• Type convert GPT and press Enter to change the disk format.

3. MBR vs GPT: Which is better?

The answer depends on your needs. GPT partition type offers more flexibility and support for larger drives, while MBR is compatible with older systems. Choose GPT for modern systems and larger drives and MBR for legacy systems and smaller drives.

🔥Related Reading: MBR VS GPT | What's the Difference and Which Is Better