How to convert hard-disk from MPT to GBR without data loss when there is no OS?

Question

Hi, I goofed up with some hard-disk settings while trying to add disk space. Now my system doesn't detect an OS. While trying to install a new OS via an external source, the system said, 'Windows cannot be installed to this disk. The selected disk has an MBR partition table. Windows can only be installed to GPT disk.'

Is there any way to install my windows 10 without having to perform a full hard-disk format? I have some data that hasn't been backed up.

Please advice. Thanks in advance.

Answer 1

Simplest solution may be to mount the disk in a USB cartridge, connect to another pc to recover the files.

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Answer 2

Find a flash drive that you can format (> or = 8 GB).

On a working computer create a bootable Windows 10 iso:
https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/software-download/windows10
https://www.tenforums.com/tutorials/9230-download-windows-10-iso-file.html

The iso can be used to perform a custom install which saves files.
https://www.tenforums.com/tutorials/120352-custom-install-windows-10-a.html
https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum/all/how-to-perform-a-custom-installation-of-windows/38adfa8c-32f8-4354-8c53-13b5f2cf7e44

Alternatively the iso can be used to perform a clean install:
https://www.tenforums.com/tutorials/1950-clean-install-windows-10-a.html

The clean install fixes any partition issues.

If files need to be backed up you can use Ubuntu or move the disk drive to an empty bay of another computer or hard drive enclosure.

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Answer 3

Just checking if there's any progress or updates?

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Answer 4

Hello there ,

Yes you can try changing Boot Mode in Windows to Legacy and try Installing the Windows

1. At first, you can just restart your computer and press the BIOS key, which can be F2, F8, F10, DEL, ESC, or any other designated key.
2. As Windows would load its BIOS settings, you can use the arrow keys to navigate to the “Boot” tab.
3. Now, you can navigate to the Boot Mode and change the option to “Legacy”. You can later restart your system and try reinstalling the firmware.

If the above methods does not work then it must be formatted to GPT .

Hope this Answers all your queries , if not please do repost back .
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Answer 5

Hello @Sachin Venugopal

Additionally,

When installing Windows on UEFI-based PCs using Windows Setup, your hard drive partition style must be set up to support either UEFI mode or legacy BIOS-compatibility mode.

As the error message you mentioned “Windows cannot be installed to this disk. The selected disk is not of the GPT partition style”, it’s because your PC is booted in UEFI mode, but your hard drive is not configured for UEFI mode.

For more details on Windows Setup: Installing using the MBR or GPT partition style, do follow the below link.

https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-hardware/manufacture/desktop/windows-setup-installing-using-the-mbr-or-gpt-partition-style

Hope this answers all your queries,
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Regards,