How to convert GPT to MBR partition?

In order for programs to have access to the disk space of the drive, it is not enough just to connect it physically to the motherboard. A prerequisite is the preliminary implementation of the so-called breakdown and the creation of a specific surface structure. Currently, there are two available standards (hereinafter referred to as Windows family systems) - Master Boot Record (MBR, Master Boot Record) and Extensible Firmware Interface (GPT, extensible firmware interface). Regardless of the name, they determine the way of storing information, data on the beginning and end of each section, service records, etc.

Comparing "bosom enemies"

The MBR standard has been used since the DOS times, so it's studied along and across. Work with drives that have a similar format can all existing applications, that is, compatibility is 100%. The prerequisites for creating something new were some of the limitations inherent in the MBR. In particular:

- It is possible to work with drives with a capacity of no more than 2 Tb;

- when breaking down, you can create only 4 main / main sections, and all the rest space should be given to extended and logical disks ;

- since the partition information and the boot record are recorded in one place, in some cases it is possible to damage them with the need for recovery.

All this was successfully overcome in the GPT. In addition, the developers provide a mechanism that allows you to easily convert the GPT to the MBR and back. Theoretically, this task can be solved in a couple of mouse clicks. However, in practice, there are a number of nuances that make you think carefully about the expediency of this decision. Before understanding how to convert the MBR partition to GPT and vice versa, it is important to remember that to maintain the last version of the partition table, support from other components of the computer system is necessary. So, instead of BIOS, a newer UEFI should be used (that is, only new motherboards are suitable), and the operating system simply has to be able to work with such a breakdown. If we talk about the Windows family, then this is a 64-bit eighth version. The previous Win 7 and Vista, although they see such drives, but about full support it does not go.

Necessity of transformation

Each user has his own reasons, which make it necessary to convert the drive into one or another structure. The question "how to transfer MBR to GPT" is most often of interest to curious users who, after reading the information about the allegedly increased speed of the new system, are resolved on this. Perhaps this is the most common reason.

Well, those who are interested in how to convert GPT to MBR are, as a rule, the owners of new laptops, who decided that in their particular case such forced transfer is untimely. It is worth noting that the "small blood" and the GPT-disk can not be converted into MBR with preservation of all the data recorded on it. Therefore, before such an operation, all information representing any value to the user must be copied to another intermediate medium.

Installing the Operating System

If you try to install a 32-bit operating system on a GPT partition, you will receive a message that the operation is impossible. It is impossible to circumvent this restriction. So, you need to convert a GPT disk into an MBR. This task can be solved in several ways. One of the simplest is to use the built-in capability of the Windows system itself.

There are two options. The first is to convert a new drive during the installation phase of the operating system. To do this, during installation on the partition selection screen, you must press the combination Shift + F10 and type diskpart in the appeared line. Further, in order for the GPT disk to be converted to an MBR, use the list disk command. A list of partitions and media is displayed. After carefully studying it, you need to specify select disk X (where X is the number in the list). After that, it remains to remove the partitions and create a new structure, alternately using the clean and convert mbr commands. Actually, on new computers, hard disks which are not cluttered with information, it's very easy to ruin how to convert GPT to MBR, as it is possible to experiment with a quiet soul: it will not be possible to "break" anything in this way.

Built-in command-line mechanism

In some cases, you need to perform a partial conversion of the GPT partitions to the MBR. For example, if several hard disks are connected to the motherboard (laptop) at the same time, one of which runs and runs the Windows family of Vista-8.1 versions, the user has the opportunity to convert non-system disks into one or another structure. This method is ideal for those who are looking for an answer to the question "how to convert GPT to MBR", having several HDDs on hand. This mechanism is analogous to yours, with the only difference that it requires a running operating system. That's why we stressed that only hard disks can be converted from which the operating system does not boot. So, on the desktop, you need to press Win + R and type diskmgmt.msc in the line that appears on the screen. The utility will start to manage all the disks. Here, using the cursor, select the desired partition on the drive and select "Delete volume" through the right-click menu. The operation should be carried out for each letter. It is important not to make a mistake with the disk, so you need to check at least the capacity. Further, in how to convert GPT to MBR, there is nothing complicated: you need to press the right button on the selected hard drive in the list and select the appropriate command that performs conversion to a disk with MBR breakdown.

Nuances of using third-party programs

Of course, the above methods do not exhaust the conversion of GPT partitions to MBR. There are much more "flexible" and convenient software tools. For example, the same Acronis DD, Paragon HDM, Minitool PW, etc. The peculiarity of working with them is the need to boot the operating system from another hard drive, the so-called "Liv SD-DVD", or a prepared flash drive, which has a corresponding program. Since most often the need for a basic GPT to convert to MBR arises from the owners of new laptops, then the Live DVD is in demand. You must first download another ISO image from the Internet on another computer and burn it to a CD, making it the latest bootable. Then on the laptop you need to boot from this Live DVD, start the program to work with partitions and perform the conversion operation. In general, such disks are often very useful if, for example, you need to "cure" the computer of viruses or restore information.

A flash drive or a disk

The downloaded image of "Liv DVD / SD" can be recorded not only on a CD. The cost of flash drives with USB interface is constantly decreasing, so it is possible to consider the purchase of a cheap model of a small volume, designed specifically for emergency or recovery loading. Burn the ISO file and make the flash drive bootable using the Rufus program. After starting, you need to select the device and click on the icon with the CD opening the explorer to indicate the location of the ISO. No additional changes are required. It remains to press "start" and wait for the preparation of the flash drive.

How to boot from a prepared media

If "Liv DVD" was correctly recorded, then you need to insert it into the drive and immediately after turning on the computer often press F12, which leads to the display of the boot source selection menu. Sometimes this function can be assigned to F8. Usually a prompt on this hot key will always appear on the screen. The ideal option is to open the instruction manual for the board. You can also choose the source of the download in the BIOS itself (UEFI). To do this, after pressing the power button, press the Delete button, and then in the settings, find the item that allows you to select First Boot Device (the primary or the first boot device). Regardless of which method is used, you need to select CDROM or USB-Flash (if you use a flash drive instead of a disk).

Famous Paragon

People who happened to break disks into partitions in those days when the 40 GB hard drive seemed huge, probably are familiar with the program Paragon Partition Magic. Its capabilities allowed you to "get up" with the drive a lot. Since then, much has changed, and the application has evolved into the Paragon Hard Disc Manager (PHDM). And not at the expense of functionality. With it, you can easily convert GPT to MBR. Paragon performs this operation in such a way that all the data on the drive remains intact. A great opportunity! However, whenever possible, it is recommended that you avoid converting and performing a breakdown from scratch. This ancient rule is true even today. So, after launching the application, a panel with disks will be displayed. Trust is called - "basic GPT", the model is usually unknown. Selecting this line with the cursor, you need to select "Convert to MBR" in the "Hard disk" menu. After that, in the upper left corner, click the green check mark to start the process. Here, the time until completion will be displayed. The data is saved. Note that in some combinations of "drive + motherboard configuration" the use of Paragon for solving this problem is impossible. Also it is worth considering that PHDM version 15 at the time of writing the article will cost the buyer almost 3 thousand rubles.

"Immortal" analogue

Till now disputes on what is better - "Paragon" or its twin brother "Akronis" still do not cease. Both programs have similar capabilities, so which one to use depends on the preferences of the computer owner. True, this is true only in the case of a test period of use or "pirated" copies. The licensed version of Akronis-12 costs 1,600 rubles. With this program, you can easily convert GPT to MBR. Acronis Disc Director, as well as Paragon, performs the conversion without deleting user data from the hard disk. After the startup, the window displays the detected drives. The target will be designated as the "base GPT". It is necessary to click on it with the right mouse button and select the item, after confirmation it starts the process of converting to MBR. It's that simple. In principle, the algorithm of actions is almost the same as for Paragon.

Free alternative

An excellent analogue to the above programs is the MiniTool Partition Wizard Professional. Although the ninth version costs almost $ 40, now it is possible to get it for free. We will not compare the functionality of the applications, since with the described task - converting GPT to MBR - they all do an excellent job. After the main program window appears, select the desired GPT disk and perform a conversion through the menu.

Configuring

A mandatory condition for using a disk with GPT breakdown is the UEFI system (evolutionary development of BIOS). By default, its settings are made for a disk with GPT. To convert to MBR successfully, you need to go to UEFI settings (Delete button), select Boot partition, and in Mode sub-item set Legacy mode. Also you need to disable the use of Security Boot.