AOMEI Partition Assistant
Using Gptgen in Server 2016 to Convert to GPT
Using Gptgen in Server 2016 to convert disk to GPT is difficult for many users. This post shows how to use it and using an alternative to convert with few clicks.
By Lucas / Updated on December 4, 2024
What is Gptgen?
Gptgen is a utility for converting hard drives from the MBR partitioning scheme to the GPT scheme while maintaining all data on the hard disk; extended/logical partitions are also supported. Because GPT does not distinguish between primary and logical partitions, all partitions will be primary after conversion.
About MBR and GPT, if you are still have confusion, here we give you a picture to list all differences:
MBR and GPT are two types of disk partition tables. GPT provides more advantages than MBR because it’s designed for modern systems and machines. So, if you want to use a larger capacity on your Server 2016, and enjoy better performance of your devices, you can convert MBR to GPT.
How to use Gptgen in Server 2016
Users can download this tool by searching Gptgen in your browser (it is an open-source tool). After you download and unpack it, you can open CMD and go to Diskpart to run it.
▶ But before we start, there are some important messages we have to ask you to pay attention to:
◤ 1. Because not every sector of the MBR disk can be translated precisely, the translation may be inaccurate, especially if the target MBR disk holds more than one kind of file system. According to customer comments, this has happened a few times.
◤ 2. Gptgen needs to be performed from an elevated command prompt on newer Windows systems with UAC enabled, which means the user must choose “Run as administrator”.
◤ 3. The GPT needs no partition to begin until logical block 34 and there be at least 33 free blocks at the drive's end before conversion. If the drive does not fulfill these conditions, Gptgen will warn and quit.
◤ 4. Because GPT and MBR boot in different ways, changing a boot disk to GPT may leave it unbootable. If you’re ready to use Gptgen to convert your MBR disk to GPT, we suggest you back up everything on your disk.
Now, let’s move to details.
Step 1. Type “CMD”, right-click the best match, and choose “Run as administrator”.
Step 2. Type “diskpart”, press “Enter”, and under diskpart, type list disk to display all disks in the system.
The disk 0 is the target MBR disk, then we’ll convert disk 0.
Step 3. Type “gptgen.exe -w \\.\\physicaldrive0”, press “Enter”, “0” is the MBR disk number, don’t forget to change it into your own disk.
When you run this command, you'll get a warning that says “This tool cannot guarantee that such partitions will remain bootable after conversion.”, and you’ll be asked “Do you want to continue? [Y/N]”, please type “y” and hit “Enter” if you’re sure.
Then, you need to wait for the task to finish.
An alternative of Gptgen to convert to GPT with easy steps (Data safe)
As you see, Gptgen is not a tool with simple operations. First, you need to make sure your disk satisfies the conditions we mentioned before; second, the command you type must be 100% right. And even though your operations are totally correct, your OS disk might also boot in failure.
Using Gptgen in Windows Server 2016 is, indeed, a little risky because this tool stopped several years ago. What you need is a tool that’s secure and suitable with a modern device to convert MBR to GPT in Server 2016.
Therefore, a reliable safe tool with simple steps—AOMEI Partition Assistant Server should be your best option. With this one, you can convert data or system disk between MBR and GPT without any data damage. It’s compatible not only with the newest Windows Server 2025 and Server 2025/2022/2019/2016/2012, but Windows 11/10/8/8.1/7 system.
You can follow the steps to securely and easily convert your disk to GPT.
Step 1. Install and run AOMEI Partition Assistant Server. Right-click the disk you want to convert and choose “Convert to GPT”.
Step 2. In the pop-out window, click “OK” to confirm this operation.
Step 3. Back to the main interface, click “Apply” to commit the pending operation.
Then the conversion is over. Isn’t it quite easy, right? If you need, this tool also can convert your disk before you install the system, you can convert your disk and prepare it all well in advance.
Ending
Using Gptgen in Server 2016 to convert MBR disk to GPT disk might not be a nice idea for the sake of data safety. AOMEI Partition Assistant is a very handy tool, besides MBR/GPT conversion, you can also migrate OS to SSD, clone disk/partition, convert a dynamic drive to basic…
One tool but has all-around disk management services with user-friendly features and a clear interface. Download and have a try.
