Can I convert a basic disk with MBR to GPT without affecting Windows?

[Moondragon]

Hello,
I want to change a Hard disk Drive with a MBR to GPT. THere are tools out there that can do it without losing data.
BUT, my question is will that affect my current windows installation (ie make it unbootable)?
My BIOS supports UEFI and I am running Windows 7 64bit..
If anyone knows, I would love to hear..

 

[benjy206]

Maybe there is software that say it can be done, and maybe you can but i would remove all of your data and do a back up.

 

[benjy206]

To change a master boot record disk into a GUID partition table disk using the Windows interface

1. Back up or move the data on the basic master boot record (MBR) disk you want to convert into a GUID partition table (GPT) disk.
2. If the disk contains any partitions or volumes, right-click any volumes on the disk and then click Delete Partition or Delete Volume.
3. Right-click the MBR disk that you want to change into a GPT disk, and then click Convert to GPT Disk.

To change a master boot record disk into a GUID partition table disk using a command line

1. Back up or move the data on the basic master boot record (MBR) disk you want to convert into a GUID partition table (GPT) disk.
2. Open an elevated command prompt (right-click Command Prompt, and then click Run as Administrator) and type diskpart. If the disk does not contain any partitions or volumes, skip to step 6.
3. At the DISKPART prompt, type list disk. Make note of the disk number you want to convert.
4. At the DISKPART prompt, type select disk <disknumber>.

Important Running the clean command will delete all partitions or volumes on the disk.
At the DISKPART prompt, type clean

1. At the DISKPART prompt, type convert gpt.

 

[gregrocker]

You must have UEFI BIOS to install to GPT disk: UEFI (Unified Extensible Firmware Interface) - Install Windows 7 with - Windows 7 Forums

Back up your data first.
Convert MBR Disk to GPT Disk - Windows 7 Forums
Technical Note: UEFI BIOS vs. Legacy BIOS - YouTube
Bypass UEFI to Install WIn7
Clean Install Windows 7
Clean Reinstall - Factory OEM Windows 7

 

[benjy206]

I must remember about this tutorials greg save me looking online. Thank for the reply, Some of this save's a lot of typing

 

[jimbo45]

Hi there
Yes it can be done -- but be aware -- I might be wrong on this but I think W7 needs the hardware to support UEFI if you want to BOOT W7 from a GPT drive. You can Read / Write to GPT drives with no problem.

Here's the "Chapter and verse" from Ms.

Windows and GPT FAQ

Read about half way down to get to the section on BOOTING from GPT drives.

Cheers

Jimbo

 

[nilank]

Why do you want to convert it from MBR to GPT in the first place? GPT is recommended for drives with size of 2TB+. Is that your case?

 

[SIW2]

Paragon software can do that.

Not certain if the trial version does - the trail version has some limitations.

Full versions will do it without data loss. As long as your os supports booting from GPT - it will boot up fine.

If you want to boot windows, it needs to be 64 bit and you need uefi.

 

[FuturDreamz]

May I ask why? You're unlikely to notice any difference.