Convert From Legacy Boot to UEFI
Convert From Legacy Boot to UEFI
In this blog post, we’ll walk through the process of converting an existing Windows installation installed on an MBR partition scheme to use GPT. This will allow you to switch your PC from Legacy Boot to UEFI.
As we’re making modifications to the hard-drive, ensure you have a backup of your data prior to following these steps. You’ve been warned!
Recovery Mode
To conver the disk from MDT to GPT we need to be in Recovery Mode.
- Restart your PC and hit F11.
- When Recovery Mode appears, select Troubleshoot » Advanced Options » Command Prompt.
Convert Disk
At the command prompt, validate that the disk can be converted to GPT.
X:\Windows\system32 > mbr2gpt /validate
MBR2GPT: Attempting to validate disk 0
MBR2GPT: Retrieving layout of disk
MBR2GPT: Validating layout, disk sector size is: 514 bytes
MBR2GPT: Validation completed successfullyIf successful, you are ready to convert the disk from MBR to GPT.
X:\Windows\system32 > mbr2gpt /convert
MBR2GPT will now attempt to convert the default boot disk.
If conversion is successful the disk can only be booted in GPT mode.
These changes cannot be undone!
MBR2GPT: Attempting to convert disk 0
MBR2GPT: Retrieving layout of disk
MBR2GPT: Validating layout, disk sector size is: 512 bytes
MBR2GPT: Backing up the system partition
MBR2GPT: Creating the EFI system partition
MBR2GPT: Installing the new boot files
MBR2GPT: Performing the layout conversion
MBR2GPT: Migrating default boot entry
MBR2GPT: Adding recovery boot entry
MBR2GPT: Fixing drive letter mapping
MBR2GPT: Conversion completed successfully
MBR2GPT: Before the new system can boot properly you need to switch the firmware to boot to UEFI mode! Enter the BIOS of the PC and switch to using UEFI to complete the process. Hope that helps!