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How to change Seagate external HDD from MBR partition style to GPT and effects on File History

Anonymous
2015-06-09T04:07:26+00:00

I recently installed an external Seagate HDD with capacity greater than 2 TB.  I didn't know about the limit of disks partitioned MBR style, which this one is, so I have a bunch of unallocated, unusable space. Before realizing this I did a backup with File History. Two questions:

(1) Can I safely change the partition style to GPT using Disk Management or some other Windows method (i.e. not using Third party software) and if so will this affect the use of File History on the newly partitioned HDD?

(2) What's the best way to create a System Image on one of the volumes on the newly partitioned HDD?

I will greatly appreciate any and all help.

jcirish

Windows for home | Previous Windows versions | Devices and drivers

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  1. Anonymous
    2015-06-11T01:24:24+00:00

    1.Convert MBR disk to GPT disk with Windows Disk Management

    1. Right click "My Computer" and choose "Manage" -> "Storage" -> "Disk Management".
    2. Delete all volumes on the MBR hard disk which you want to convert to GPT disk.
    3. Right click on the hard disk 1 and choose "Convert to GPT disk". After you convert MBR disk to GPT disk, you can create partitions on the GPT disk if you like.

    2.Diskpart command

    using a command line

    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.

    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.

    At the DISKPART prompt, type list disk. Make note of the disk number you want to convert.

    At the DISKPART prompt, type select disk <disknumber>.

    At the DISKPART prompt, type clean.

    At the DISKPART prompt, type convert gpt.

    https://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/cc725671.aspx

    3.convert MBR disk to GPT disk directly with disk management tool EaseUS Partition Master.

    https://youtu.be/-aiYWCWx4Fc

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  1. Anonymous
    2015-06-12T03:30:23+00:00

    Hi, Phoebeby

    Thanks very much for the detailed instructions for the

    conversion. They are very complete and easy to follow. I have two

    questions related to converting. I know that converting will mean

    loss of data on the drive. I'm not concerned about that per se.

    But I have set up File History on that external HDD. When I set

    up File HIstory on the newly partioned external HDD will that

    cause any confusion or difficulties for the 8.1 OS?

    Finally, should I make a system image on the external drive? I've

    heard some discussions that this is a tricky process.

    Thanks once again for you generous support.

    jcirish

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  2. Anonymous
    2015-06-10T04:29:37+00:00

    Thank you so much for the reply and for the wealth of info in the included links. They include information that I had not run into in my many Google forays on the internet.

    Thanks again,

    jcirish

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  3. Anonymous
    2015-06-10T00:28:43+00:00

    Hi Jcirish,

    Thank you for posting the query on Microsoft Community.

    1. Please refer the link below for more information.

    Windows Setup: Installing using the MBR or GPT partition style

    https://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/dn336946.aspx

    What about mixing and matching GPT and MBR disks on the same system?

    GPT and MBR disks can be mixed on systems that support GPT, as described earlier. However, you must be aware of the following restrictions:

    • Systems that support UEFI require that boot partition must reside on a GPT disk. Other hard disks can be either MBR or GPT.
    • Both MBR and GPT disks can be present in a single dynamic disk group. Volume sets can span both MBR and GPT disks.

    Data copied using File History can be saved in a new location:

    Restore files or folders using File History:

    http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows-8/how-use-file-history

    1. How to create a system image to refresh your Windows 8 PC:

    https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/kb/2748351?wa=wsignin1.0

    Hope this helps in resolving the issue. If issue persists, do get back to us. We will be happy to assist you.

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