Convert GPT Disks to MBR

MSP360 Managed Backup supports GPT disk conversion to MBR layout and is available in image-based restore plans.

This article covers the following topics:

• GPT and MBR
• Convert GPT to MBR in Backup for Windows

GPT and MBR

GPT is a part of the EFI standard that defines the layout of the partition table on a hard drive. Forming a part of the Unified Extensible Firmware Interface (UEFI) standard, it is also used for some BIOS systems, because of the limitations of master boot record (MBR) partition tables. Compared to the commonly used Master Boot Record (MBR) partitioning scheme, GPT provides a more flexible disk partitioning mechanism.

GPT (or GUID Partition Table) is the updated version of the MBR table scheme that is available on computers with UEFI/EFI installed (not BIOS).

GPT disks are supported for the following Windows versions:

• Windows XP 64-bit
• Windows Vista
• Windows 7
• Windows 8
• Windows Server 2003 and Server 2008

These disks can also be used to boot Windows, but only the following 64-bit Windows versions will boot from GPT disks:

• Windows 8
• Windows 8.1
• Windows 7
• Windows Vista
• Windows Server all editions

MBR disks are supported by all Windows versions. Removable disks, such as USB drives, cannot be converted to GPT. These removable disks are always set as MBR.

During the conversion procedure, a sequence of the following actions is performed:

• A virtual disk is created (VHD)
• Virtual disk is mounted to a host instance
• A disk is initialized to MBR
• A system reserved partition (BIO, size=100 MB) is created
• Boot files are copied from a host instance to a system reserved partition
• An in-memory destination image containing a BIOS boot partition and Windows basic data volume from backup storage is created

Convert GPT Disks to MBR

In case you have GPT disks in the cloud storage that need to be restored, and the target destination is Amazon EC2, you can enable GPT to MBR conversion since only BIOS boot is supported on these destinations.

To convert GPT disks to MBR layout, proceed as follows:

1. Open the Management Console.
2. In the Computers menu, select Remote Management.
3. Find the required computer, click the gear icon, then select Show Plans.
4. Find the require image-based restore plan or create a new one.
5. Follow the restore wizard to the Partitions step. Check the partitions selected in the restore plan.
6. Select the Convert GPT to BIOS/MBR check box.

7. Click Save.