Ever wondered how to convert a GPT disk to an MBR disk? After giving you a background on what is a GPT and an MBR, we’ll give you the simple steps on how to do it.
MBR stands for Master Boot Record while GPT represents GUID Partition Table. These are 2 partitioning schemes for HDD, SSD and removable devices.
Here are some of their differences:
- A GPT can have up to 128 partitions vs. 4 partitions on an MBR disk
- A single partition can have up to 256 TB vs. 2 TB maximum allowed space on an MBR disk
- GPT disks can only be read by the following Windows versions: Windows XP 64-bit, Windows Vista, Windows 7, Windows and Windows Server 2003 and Server 2008
Note that you can boot Windows from GPT only if your computer has UEFI/EFI installed.
- MBR disks are supported by all Windows versions. Removable disks, such as USB drives, can’t be converted to GPT. These removable disks are set as MBR.
- GPT is the updated version of the MBR table scheme that’s available on computers with UEFI/EFI installed (not BIOS).
Now, here are the simple steps on how to convert a GPT disk to an MBR disk using diskpart command.
