Learn how to convert a Master Boot Record (MBR) disk to a Globally Unique Identifier Partition Table (GPT) disk in Windows Vista.
Hard drives are getting larger. The amount of information people are saving is growing rapidly. If you have a very large music, picture, or video collection you might want to consider using GPT instead of MBR as your partitioning system.
MBR partitions have been around for a long time. The GPT disk partitioning system is new and only works in XP x64, Server 2003, Windows Vista, and Server 2008. GPT’s advantages over MBR are:
- GPT can support up to 128 partitions. MBR can only support 4.
- A GPT partition can theoretically be as large as 18,000,000 terabytes in size!
- GPT uses primary and backup partition tables.
This guide shows you how to convert a brand new (empty) MBR style disk to a GPT disk.
Converting from MBR to GPT Disks
- Right-click Computer in the Start Menu and then select Manage.
- Select Disk Management in the left column.
- Right-click the MBR drive you want to convert to GPT and then click Convert to GPT Disk.
Note: If the drive isn’t empty or it contains partitions you can’t convert it to GPT.
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