In this post, you’ll get the answer to “MBR or GPT for SSD on Windows 10?” Also, you’ll learn to initialize a new SSD as MBR or GPT and to convert between MBR and GPT without data loss if you didn’t initialize the SSD correctly.
Should I choose MBR or GPT for new SSD initialization?
I got a new SSD to replace my old hard drive disk, and I want to boot from the SSD and run a few games on it. What partition style should I initialize for it?
- Question from www. reddit.com
Lots of people would like to replace HDD with SSD for a better experience. SSDs provide stable running performance, which is important for running a game, a bunch of programs, and commands. However many users ask how they can initialize an SSD as MBR or GPT on many forums.
Thus, we'll use this article to show you a brief explanation of MBR and GPT, and how to initialize a disk as MBR or GPT in Windows system. Also, you'll learn how to convert between MBR and GPT.
The MBR and GPT are 2 types of partition tables, that are commonly used in Windows systems. And a partition table is a table that is used to describe the partition on an HDD or SSD and help the disk locate a file so that the operating system can read data on the drive. So, what is the difference between them?
When delving into the number of partitions, the MBR (Master Boot Record) imposes a limit of up to four primary partitions. To exceed this limit, workarounds include creating three primary partitions and introducing an extended partition for further subdivision into logical partitions.
In contrast, the architectural elegance of GPT (GUID Partition Table) removes such limitations. It can accommodate up to 128 primary partitions and supports unlimited arrays of logical partitions.
Shifting the focus to disk capacity, MBR is bogged down by a 2TB cap, while GPT proudly flaunts its muscle with a staggering 18EB capacity cap. GPT is a must-select when dealing with large-capacity drives, especially those that exceed the 3TB threshold. If you find your disk only shows 2TB available space but its capacity is larger than 2TB, check your partition scheme, it may show as MBR.
With data security in mind, MBR interweaves boot data and partitions, exposing vulnerabilities during system corruption. Retrieving data from a corrupted MBR operating system disk involves significant risks.
In stark contrast, GPT reveals a superior paradigm. When corruption occurs in one partition, resilience lies in the ability to appeal to other partitions. Additionally, GPT drives enhance data protection by employing Error Correcting Code (ECC). In essence, GPT emerges not only as a successor but also as a guardian, providing enhanced capacity and robust data protection.
In terms of operating system compatibility, MBR tends to resonate more with the elders of Windows, GPT, on the other hand, elegantly aligns with the contemporary ensemble, harmonizing seamlessly with newer systems.
MBR is with strong ties to pre-Windows 8 versions.
GPT is compatible with the following versions of Windows: 32-bit Windows 8, 8.1, 10, and 64-bit Windows 7, 8, 8.1, 10, 11.
Older operating systems, such as Windows XP, are limited to devices formatted with MBR.
GPT is newer than MBR partition table and has more advantages than MBR drive. Besides, GPT disks are much safer. GPT disks store boot information on the beginning and the end of the headers of a disk. The disk can be easier to recover boot data if they get lost in some unexpected situations.
Although the GPT partition scheme has many advantages, it doesn't mean the GPT is better for all SSDs. If you want your PC to boot from the SSD, the boot mode and operating system are important factors in the choice.
MBR disk + Legacy BIOS or GPT disk +UEFI are compulsory for many systems. Only Windows 11 needs a UEFI + GPT environment. You might need to check the boot mode (BIOS or UEFI) first. Fortunately, today's PCs usually support changing BIOS to UEFI or UEFI to BIOS if you need.
Now, you have already known which partition table MBR or GPT is better for your SSD. In the following text, we will give you 2 methods on how to set SSD as MBR or GPT partition style.
Disk Management is a Windows built-in utility similar to DiskPart. This utility helps users manage both hard disks and partitions easily and with it, you can delete partitions, extend partitions, format partitions, and of course, initialize new hard drives.
Step 1. Right-click the “This PC” icon on the desktop, and choose “Manage”. In the Manage window, click “Disk Management” under the storage.
Step 2. Right-click the unknown disk which is your SSD, and select “Initialize Disk”.
Step 3. In the window, choose MBR or GPT for SSD, and click “OK”.
✍Note: If you can't initialize hard drive because of an I/O device error, try another cable to connect the SSD or insert it into another computer. Or turn to the second method.
Sometimes, Disk Management does not work. You can turn to its alternative tool: AOMEI Partition Assistant Professional, which can effectively initialize a disk, SD card, SSD as MBR or GPT drive in Windows 11, 10, 8, and 7. Besides, it is also able to convert disk from MBR to GPT or GPT to MBR in Windows in case you initialize it the wrong partition style.
Now download the Demo edition, and follow the quick guide below to have a try and see how to use this tool.
Step 1. Launch AOMEI Partition Assistant, right-click on the SSD, and hit "Initialize Disk" on the main interface.
Step 2. Choose MBR or GPT in the pop-up window for the selected drive, and click "OK".
Step 3. At last, click "Apply" on the top corner of the main interface, and click "Proceed" to commit the operation.
As mentioned above, GPT and MBR differ in supporting disk size, partition number and boot mode. If there’s an SSD on your computer, you might need to make a conversion between MBR and GPT in some situations.
Here we provide 3 ways to make the MBR-GPT conversion.
Windows built-in tool Diskpart can help you to change the partition table, but it requires deleting all data on the disk, or it can't convert the system disk from MBR to GPT or GPT to MBR, so if there are some important data on your disk, backup your disk beforehand and follow the below steps.
Step 1. Press "WIN+R", type "cmd" and press Enter to open the command prompt. Then, input "diskpart" and hit Enter.
Step 2. Type "list disk", and press Enter, it will show you all the disks on your computer. take notice of your SSD number.
Step 3. Type "select disk X" (X is the number of your SSD), and hit Enter, then you will be told the SSD will be selected.
Step 4. Type "clean” and press Enter to entirely clean the SSD.
Step 5. Type "convert gpt" or "convert mbr", press Enter. After a while, the SSD will be converted to GPT.
Besides DiskPart, Disk Management is also a feasible tool for conversion between the 2 partition tables.
1. Right-click on “This PC” on the desktop and select “Manage”.
2. Select “Disk Management” under the “Storage” tab.
3. Right-click on the hard disk you want to convert and select “Convert to GPT”. If there’re partitions on the hard disk, the option “Convert to GPT” will be greyed out. Thus, the same as what you do with DiskPart, you have to delete all partitions beforehand.
As you can see above, both DiskPart and Disk Management ask to require partition deletion once you try converting between MBR and GPT. In this case, you have to back up everything important in advance. Besides, the Diskpart can't be revoked. There could be severe system crashes on your PC if you make a wrong step.
AOMEI Partition Assistant is also able to convert system and non-system disks from MBR to GPT or GPT to MBR for SSD in Windows without deleting existing partitions. And with its user-friendly interface, all the processes will be easier than the first method.
Step 1. Install and open AOMEI Partition Assistant Professional. Right-click the disk you want to change and choose “Convert to GPT Disk” or "Convert to MBR Disk".
Step 2. Then click “OK”.
Step 3. Click the “Apply” in the top left corner to finish the process.
Then wait for the conversion to complete and close the program.
Now, I believe you have a basic understanding of partition tables and know whether you should choose MBR or GPT for SSD. And if you find the partition table does not work well for your PC, you can turn to AOMEI Partition Assistant to convert it. In addition, it also offers other advanced features. For example, it allows you to split partitions, allocate free space from one partition to another, migrate OS from MBR disk to GPT SSD or HDD, erase SSD drive, etc.
And AOMEI Partition Assistant supports Windows systems, if you are using Windows systems, you can try AOMEI Partition Assistant Server Edition which is designed for Windows Server users. And there is an Unlimited version for enterprises, which allows unlimited usage within one company, which can save lots of money.