Convert a MBR disk to GPT

Large-capacity hard disks get more and more popular since users need to store more and more files. However, after preparing a 3TB or larger disk you may find you can only use 2TB space, and nothing can be done in the left space. After searching on the internet you will find this is due to the limitation of MBR disk (the disk was initialized to MBR), and you are always suggested to convert MBR disk to GPT. Nevertheless, users may meet different kinds of problems when they plan to do the conversion. Considering this situation, we write this post and hope it gives useful information.

To convert a MBR disk to GPT, users can resort to system built-in Disk Management tool, but they need to delete all partitions on the MBR disk at first. If not, the function “Convert to GPT Disk” will be grayed out. Actually, there is another choice: turn to third party partitioning program, which is highly recommended because all data can be kept intact. Here, the freeware MiniTool Partition Wizard is worth trying. Detailed steps to set MBR disk to GPT are as follows.

Tip: running Windows on MBR disk requires Legacy BIOS while running Windows on GPT disk requires UEFI. If users convert the MBR disk which installs Windows to GPT, the operating system may be unbootable. Therefore, this function targets setting non-system disk from MBR to GPT.

Convert MBR Disk to GPT with MiniTool Partition Wizard
Firstly, launch the free partitioning program to get its main interface:

convert a mbr disk to gpt select target disk

Then, select the disk you want to convert and choose “Convert MBR Disk to GPT Disk” feature from the left side. After that, from the disk list you will find that the MBR disk has been converted to GPT disk, and all partitions are reserved:

convert a mbr disk to gpt apply changes

Nevertheless, this is only a preview effect. At this time, users need to click “Apply” button which is located on the top right corner to apply all changes. Just wait for a minute, and the conversion can be completed.

It is so easy to set a MBR disk to GPT disk, right? If you want to do the conversion without losing anything, try using the free partitioning program MiniTool Partition Wizard. Actually, this program also supports setting non-system disk from GPT to MBR, and this is also a lossless conversion. For details, please see Convert GPT Disk to MBR Disk.

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