AOMEI Partition Assistant
GParted: Convert MBR to GPT without Data Loss Step by Step
If you’re still wondering how to use GParted to convert MBR to GPT without access OS, read on, because you’ll not only find the answer, but also, a better alternative will be introduced to convert MBR to GPT without data loss.
By Hedy / Updated on April 18, 2025
User case: How can I convert MBR to GPT with GParted?
Hey, guys! I am attempting to upgrade Windows 10 to Windows 11 on this PC but it’s asking for GPT. I know that I need to convert my MBR to GPT disk so that it can work normally. But how to do it? I have the GParted tool, and I want to know how GParted converts MBR to GPT? Is there anyone who knows the operation steps? Other effective ways are also acclaimed. Thank you!
- Question from Microsoft Communtiy
GParted (short for GNOME Partition Editor) is a free tool used to manage disk partitions. With GParted, you can create, delete, move, resize, and check partitions on your hard drive. You can also use it to copying disk partitions and file systems. One useful feature of GParted is that it allows you to convert a disk from MBR (Master Boot Record) to GPT (GUID Partition Table).
GParted is mainly designed for Linux, and it’s written in C++. However, if you’re using Windows, you can download the GParted ISO file, burn it to a CD or USB, and boot your computer from it to use the tool.
This is especially helpful in cases like upgrading from Windows 10 to Windows 11, which requires a GPT disk. Or if you want to use the full space on a hard drive larger than 2TB, or if you need more than 4 primary partitions, you may encounter the 4TB hard drive only shows 2TB issue— that's because MBR can't support that, but GPT can. The following section will introduce how to use GParted to convert MBR to GPT. Please note that this method will erase all data on the disk. If you want to convert without losing data or do not prefer to back up first, you can consider using its alternative.
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8 Steps to use GParted to convert MBR to GPT in Windows PC
As it is mentioned above, GParted is written in Linux, so in order to use it to convert the disk from MBR to GPT partition style in Windows computer, users have to burn the GParted ISO files to a CD and then boot Windows PC from it, and finally convert MBR to GPT. The specific steps are:
Warning: please backup the MBR disk in advance because GParted converts MBR to GPT will erase all data on the disk.
Step 1. Download GParted ISO files and burn them to a CD.
Step 2. Put the CD into your CD drive. Boot Windows computer from the CD by changing the boot order.
Step 3. Once you boot to GParted, you’ll get a similar screen to what is shown below. It should be set to GParted Live, which is the default setting.
Step 4. Next, you’ll get a screen asking about what keymap to use. By default, just select “Don’t touch keymap”.
Step 5. Then you will be asked which language and which mode you want to run. Again, the default values are all fine, just press Enter.
Step 6. Then the GParted window will open. To convert MBR to GPT, choose “Device”> “Create Partition Table”.
Step 7. Then choose “GPT” in the pop-out mini window.
Step 8. Now, you can click “Apply” to start converting MBR to GPT using GParted.
It’s impossible to convert MBR to GPT using GParted without any data loss unless you make a backup first. Besides, downloading GParted ISO files and booting the PC from the Live CD are indispensable steps to perform MBR and GPT conversion, or other disk partition management operations under the Windows environments. Therefore, for most ordinary Windows computer users, the operation is somewhat complicated and for laptop users, it's most likely that they don’t have a CD drive on their machine.
So here we would like to introduce a better tool to convert MBR to GPT without erasing all data inside and can be performed within Windows (no need to download any bootable files or burn them to a device).
🔥The best alternative to GParted to convert MBR to GPT without data loss
Our recommendation is AOMEI Partition Assistant. This software is compatible with Windows 11/10/8/7 (all editions). With it, you can convert either system disk or data disk between MBR and GPT without data loss. Meanwhile, unlike using Disk Management and DiskPart, the partitions on the target disk won’t be deleted or erased during the conversion.
Moreover, you don’t need to enter WinPE mode to perform the conversion even if you are converting the boot disk as long as you can boot into Windows normally. Now, you can follow the steps below to convert MBR to GPT with AOMEI Partition Assistant.
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✍ Tips:
● If you are converting MBR boot disk to GPT disk for Windows 11, make sure that your machine supports EFI/UEFI mode. Otherwise, you cannot boot successfully from the disk after conversion.
● To avoid data loss caused by unexpected accidents like power failure, it is always a great idea to back up data before proceeding.
Step 1. Install and launch AOMEI Partition Assistant. You will see your disk(s) on the main interface. Select the MBR disk you need to convert to GPT, right-click it and then, select Convert to GPT in the pop-up menu.
Step 2. It will pop up a window to ask if you are sure to convert the MBR disk to GPT disk. Click OK.
Step 3. You will back to the main interface, and you can see that the disk has already been changed into a GPT partition table. Don’t forget to click Apply at the toolbar.
Wait a minute until the conversion is over.
Using AOMEI Partition Assistant to convert MBR to GPT without losing data is such a simple thing. Inverse, you can use it to convert GPT to MBR while keeping old data on the disk. If you need to convert GPT boot disk to MBR disk, make sure your computer supports Legacy BIOS mode.
If you cannot boot into Windows and wish to convert MBR to GPT without accessing OS, you can first use AOMEI Partition Assistant Professional to create a Windows 11 bootable media on a working computer, then boot the computer, which cannot boot into OS or has not installed OS yet, from the bootable device, then follow the above instructions to convert MBR to GPT, or GPT to MBR.
Conclusion
AOMEI Partition Assistant should be the best alternative to GParted to convert MBR to GPT without losing data. In the simple interface, you can do it easily even you are not familiar with computers. AOMEI Partition Assistant also supports other disk partition managements such as migrating OS to SSD/HDD, extending NTFS system partition without a reboot, splitting a large partition into two smaller ones, quickly partitioning a large hard disk, etc.
If you are working with Windows Server 2003, 2008 (R2), 2012 (R2), 2016, or 2019 and 2022, you can try AOMEI Partition Assistant Server to adjust your operating systems.
FAQs about Gparted
What is GParted?
GParted is a popular open-source partition editor that allows you to manage disk partitions. You can use it to convert from MBR (Master Boot Record) to GPT (GUID Partition Table) to take advantage of GPT's features, like support for larger drives and more partitions, without losing data.
What are the prerequisites for using GParted for this conversion?
Before using GParted to convert MBR to GPT, ensure that your data is backed up, your hard drive is in good health (without errors or bad sectors), and you have a bootable GParted USB or CD/DVD.
Is there any software you recommend for MBR to GPT conversion if I don't want to use GParted?
There are various third-party tools available for MBR to GPT conversion. AOMEI Partition Assistant is a practical tool for you. It has easy operation, user-friendly interface and high-safety. You can quickly and safely convert data disk and system disk to MBR or GPT disk.
AOMEI Partition AssistantThe Best Windows Disk Partition Manager and PC Optimizer
