[Answered] Can I Install Windows 11 on MBR Partition?

Can I install Windows 11 on MBR partition?

"Can I install Windows 11 on an MBR partition?" Since Windows 11 came out, many MBR disk users don’t know Windows 11 GPT or MBR and wonder if they can install Windows 11 on their MBR partitions.

While Windows 11 is designed to work best with the GPT format, it can still run on a system with an MBR partition style. However, there's a catch. You can only use MBR as a secondary disk in Windows 11. It's not meant to be the main/primary disk.

If you try installing Windows 11 on an MBR partition style disk, you'll likely run into installation errors like error 0x80300024. Even if you manage to force the installation onto an MBR disk, it might fail during boot-up or cause system instability. Some features of Windows 11 might not work properly either.

In short, it's not advisable to install Windows 11 on an MBR partition. If you want to enjoy the fresh Windows OS, here's what you can do: Convert your MBR partition to GPT. In the next section, we'll show you how to do it.

Convert MBR to GPT to install Windows 11 without data loss

When installing Windows 11, you can't avoid Microsoft's limitation that Windows 11 can’t run on MBR. But don't worry, you can convert MBR disk to GPT easily with AOMEI Partition Assistant Professional for Windows 11 installation. It allows you easily convert system disk to GPT without any data loss and ensure a successful boot.

With it, you don’t need to delete partitions and lose all your data on the disk, especially if you are a Windows 10 user who wants to upgrade to Windows 11 as doing so may risk crashing your computer. Now, please stop wondering “Can windows 11 install on MBR partition?” and follow the instructions to convert it to GPT.

Notes:

Please make sure your motherboard supports UEFI boot mode before you begin. Otherwise, your converted PC may not boot properly.

If your PC doesn't support UEFI boot mode, you can also create a Windows 11 To Go bootable USB drive with AOMEI Partition Assistant.

Step 1. Install and run AOMEI Partition Assistant Professional. Right-click the system disk and choose “Convert to GPT”.

Step 2. Click “OK” to confirm your operation.

Step 3. Click “Apply” to commit the pending operation.

After that, you have converted the system disk from MBR to GPT successfully. Since the GPT disk matches with UEFI, so you also need to change the Legacy to UEFI.

✦ Enter the BIOS settings when the computer is turned on.

✦ Use the arrow keys to select UEFI/BIOS Boot Mode in the Boot column, and then change Legacy to UEFI. Then saving and exit.

After rebooting, you can see that your system disk is already a GPT disk.

Further reading: Other requirements for Windows 11 installation

Except for considering “Can I install Windows 11 on an MBR partition?”, there are some other minimum requirements for Windows 11 installation.

If your PC cannot meet one or more Windows 11 installation requirements, it is a good idea to run AOMEI Partition Assistant to create a bootable media to bypass all Windows 11 requirements.

Ending words

“Can I install windows 11 on MBR partition?” Perhaps you cannot. However, we offer you a solution: converting the system disk from MBR to GPT can be effective for Windows 11 installation. With AOMEI Partition Assistant, you can easily do that without any data loss.

As it previously mentioned, it is also a good idea to create a Windows 11 To Go USB if your computer cannot meet the requirements. You can also use it to extend drive space, clean PC, rebuild MBR, clone disk for device upgrading, and more. For Windows Server users who want to effectively manage their computers, it offers the Server Edition.