How to convert MBR to GPT disk without data loss
We are making your Windows 10 version with old-style BIOS MBR installed UEFI GPT step by step.
You’re late to know about windowsCULTs UEFI Windows 10 guides, and that’s why you installed Windows 10 in Legacy BIOS mode. No problem! We are converting your old-style MBR Windows 10 installation to UEFI GPT step by step. If you’re ready, here is how to convert an MBR disk into a GPT disk without data loss.
What to do before Windows 10 UEFI migration
- You should not experience any data loss during the process. However, in case of a possible situation, be sure to take your system backup, otherwise, windowscult.com will not be responsible for any results that may occur.
- Windows 10 1803 or higher must be installed for the migration process. To find out your windows version. Press Windows key + R, type winver in the field that opens and continue with enter. “At the time this article was written, we were using the 21H2 version .”
- Your hard disk on which your Windows is installed should not have more than three partitions. If you have reduced units, combine units to make them three or less. (We mean the number of virtual partitions, not the number of physical disks.)
- If you are using BitLocker to encrypt your system, decrypt the drive and disable BitLocker protection before starting the conversion process. With BitLocker protection turned on, Windows 10 cannot convert your drive from Legacy BIOS to UEFI.
- After converting, you may need to change your motherboard BIOS settings from Legacy BIOS to UEFI ( could be UEFI or UEFI with CSM ). Depending on your motherboard manufacturer, the procedure for switching from one to the other will be different. Check your motherboard’s manual to make things easier for you.
Check if you are using old BIOS
There may be no need for Windows 10 UEFI migration. If your system is an average system, it may have come with UEFI automatically. To understand this, type “This PC” in the search field. Proceed by clicking on the “Manage” text in the window that appears. Then switch to the section that says Disk Management. Here, right-click on the disk on which your Windows 10 operating system is installed, and click the option that says properties. Then switch to the “Units” tab in the properties window. Here, if you see “ Master Boot Record (MBR) ” next to “Partition style”, you are using Legacy BIOS.
How to Convert Legacy BIOS to UEFI Step by Step
If you are sure that you are in the old BIOS and have your system backed up, we can start the process.
Start the process by pressing the Win + X keys simultaneously. In the window that opens, point to the text “Shut down or log out” and press and hold the Shift key and say ” Restart “.
Your system will start with “Advanced settings”. You need to start the command prompt from the screen that opens. You can check the image below to help. Icon: C:\
The first thing we need to do is verify the disk we are trying to convert. Type the following command and press Enter.
mbr2gpt /validate
If you see the message “Verification completed successfully”, you can proceed to the next step.
If you see any errors, your disk or system may not meet the conversion requirements. In this context, close the command prompt and go back to the exit from the arrow in the upper left.
After verifying the disk, type the following command and hit enter.
mbr2gpt /convert
As soon as you run the command, Windows 10 will start the conversion process i.e. add all required UEFI boot files and GPT components and then update the Boot Configuration Data.
Now reboot your system, enter the motherboard BIOS settings and change the Boot setting from Legacy BIOS to UEFI or UEFI with CSM. The procedure for switching from legacy BIOS to UEFI depends on your motherboard manufacturer.
After booting into Windows 10, you can verify if you have been converted. As before, open the disk properties window from the Disk Management tool and go to the “Volumes” tab. Here you should see “GUID Partition Table (GPT)” next to “Partition style”.
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