How to Change to GPT Format in Windows 10/11

What is the GPT format in Windows 10 for hard drives?

GPT partition style is a sort of partition type for hard drives or SSDs. When users insert a new disk into the computer, they can’t use it as a USB flash drive because there must be a partition on it. So users need to initialize a disk, in this process, you will select a partition style for this disk.

There are 2 options for you, MBR or GPT. And as the picture shows, there’s a note under the options to help you choose a suitable partition style. This is caused by the differences between the MBR partition style and the GPT style.

MBR partition table is a traditional style that can be used in old Windows systems, like Windows 95/98, Windows XP 32-bit, Windows 2000, etc. While the GPT style is a newer one, it supports some later systems like Windows 8/8.1/10 64-bit and Windows 11. Thus, if you want to install previous Windows on your disk, you can’t initialize this disk to GPT style.

What’s more, there are other distinctions between MBR and GPT partition styles.

The limitations of the MBR partition table determine that users are only allowed to use a 2TB disk with only 4 partitions. If your disk has 3TB, the extra 1TB space will be wasted. GPT disk has more partitions on service and a larger capacity for data storage, therefore, most users who are using new systems would prefer to select the GPT partition style.

Although users will select a style before using the disk, it doesn’t mean that they can’t change the partition style once they’ve finished the initialization. GPT formatting also means converting disk partition style from MBR to GPT. Via the Windows tool (CMD), a user needs to clean all partitions on the target disk first, and then he can start the conversion.

How to convert MBR to GPT in Windows 10

The conversion of disk partition style is normal disk management many users need to know, thus, in this part, we’ll proffer 2 ways to show how to use CMD and a reliable tool to convert without data loss.

Method 1. GPT Format via CMD/Diskpart

In Windows 10, using Diskpart to format to GPT disk, you’ll need to backup before you start because one command you’ll type is to delete all data on the disk.

Step 1. Type “cmd” in the search box, and run as administrator.

Step 2. Type the following command lines and hit “Enter” after each.

▪ diskpart ▪ list disk ▪ select disk x (the disk number of the target disk) ▪ clean ▪ convert gpt ▪ exit

Method 2. Format GPT via a reliable tool

CMD asks users to clean the disk data, and sometimes, you might meet conversion failure. Thus, if you have a large disk that might take time to make a backup, we suggest you choose AOMEI Partition Assistant Professional. The best reason to select this tool is that it allows users to convert the disk partition style without data loss, even system disk, and normally, it won’t fail.

This reliable tool supports Windows 11/10/8/8.1/7/XP/Vista OS, and it also has a Server edition for Windows Server which supports Windows Server 2022/2019/2016/2012(R2)/2008(R2)/2003.

◤ Tip: For your data safety, we still suggest you back up your important files. And make sure your devices support UEFI mode if you're going to convert a system disk.

Step 1. Install and run Partition Assistant.

Step 2. Enter "Convert to GPT" function.

Right-click the target disk, and select “Convert to GPT” or click the disk and choose "Convert to GPT" from the right panel.

Step 3. Confirm your operation.

Click “OK” to ensure that you want to convert a disk from MBR to GPT.

Step 4. Click "Apply" to finish the conversion.

Click “Apply” to start the operation. Unlike CMD, if you regret the operation, you can click “Undo” to cancel.

After the conversion, you need to boot into BIOS and change the boot mode to UEFI to boot your PC if you convert a system disk.

Further tip: Format GPT partition in Windows

Usually, formatting partition is to change the file system styles. There are many kinds of file systems, but FAT32, exFAT, and NTFS are more familiar to Windows users. The Windows tool Disk Management won’t allow you to format a partition larger than 32GB to FAT32, and the internal drive can’t be formatted to exFAT with it (only for USB or SD card).

However, AOMEI Partition Assistant can do this for you. You can change your internal or external drive among NTFS, FAT32, exFAT, Ext2, Ext3, and Ext4 types.

Tip: Make sure you’ve made a backup of the target disk, formatting will delete all data on the partition.

Step 1. In the main interface of your disk(s), select the partition you want to format and choose "Format Partition" in the right menu.

Step 2. In the pop-up window, you can type the drive label and format the partition to what kind of file systems, and click “OK”.

Step 3. Click “Apply” in the toolbar to execute all operations.

FAQs on GPT format Windows 10

Can Windows 10 be installed on GPT?

Yes, Windows 10 can indeed be installed on a GPT disk. GPT is the modern standard for disk partitioning, and Windows fully supports it. GPT offers several advantages over the older MBR partitioning scheme, such as support for disks larger than 2 TB and improved data integrity through the use of checksums. Therefore, it is recommended to use GPT if you are installing Windows 10 on a new system or reformatting a disk.

How to install Windows 10 on GPT partition?

To install Windows 10 on a GPT partition, begin by creating a bootable USB drive with the installation files. Boot from the USB, start the installation process, and choose the "Custom: Install Windows only (advanced)" option. Select the GPT partition for installation and proceed with the installation process.  This method allows for a clean installation of Windows 10 on a GPT partition, offering advantages like support for larger disks and improved data integrity. 

Why Windows cannot install on GPT?

Windows can indeed be installed on GPT (GUID Partition Table) disks. However, if you have problems installing Windows on a GPT disk, it could be due to several reasons including hardware compatibility, BIOS settings, disk configuration errors, boot mode mismatch, or damaged installation media.

Final lines

This article makes a clear explanation of the distinction between GPT format in Windows 10 and the format partition in Windows 10. GPT format is converting MBR disk to GPT disk, and if you need, you can convert GPT to MBR partition style with AOMEI Partition Assistant.

This versatile software can do more to help users manage their disks and partitions, like clone disk and partition, resize/delete/check/move/merge/split partition, and transfer OS to a new disk, etc.