Is there any software that converts an OS-installed GPT to MBR?

capserver 81 Reputation points
2023-01-19T12:19:36.1766667+00:00

Hi.

I did convert Windows 2008 R2 to Hyper-V VM using StartWind Converter.

( Source Physical Server is Windows 2008R2 on UEFI. )

But, VM isn't booting.

The reason is UEFI and 2008R2 cannot be mixed on Hyper-V.

MS Doc says

Generation 1 is BIOS base and 2008R2 is Supported.

Generation 2 is UEFI base and 2008R2 isn't Supported.

I am looking for a software to convert GPT to MBR.

Can you recommend such software?

It's okay to incur costs.

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Accepted answer
  1. Docs 15,141 Reputation points
    2023-01-22T08:00:06.7633333+00:00

    GPT can be converted to MBR and MBR can be converted to GPT.

    These can be performed with and without data loss.

    .

    Windows commands or third party software may be able to be used.

    Some third party software are:

    Mini Tool partition wizard

    Disk Genius

    etc.

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  1. Miloslav Ďurina 0 Reputation points
    2023-01-19T16:24:51.9433333+00:00

    AOMEI Partition Assistant will do the job, have done multiple times

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  2. Adam J. Marshall 8,706 Reputation points MVP
    2023-01-20T01:15:31.3+00:00

    From a cmd prompt (boot from a Windows setup disk and press SHIFT+F10 to bring up the command prompt)

    Diskpart

    List disk

    Select disk 0 (or whatever you want to change to mbr)

    convert mbr

    Exit

    Exit

    Restart the server.

    Same process to convert to GPT (just replace convert mbr with convert gpt)

  3. Limitless Technology 43,946 Reputation points
    2023-01-20T16:04:35.8+00:00

    Hello Serverman,

    There are different partition management softwares, but none is specially recommended by Microsoft.

    Initially, the only supported way to convert a GPT to MBR partition is using command line, as specificed in the next official article:

    https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-server/storage/disk-management/change-a-gpt-disk-into-an-mbr-disk

    --If the reply is helpful, please Upvote and Accept as answer--

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  4. mmortal03 0 Reputation points
    2024-04-12T20:45:48.26+00:00

    If you use Macrium Reflect, the following steps work on a Windows system partition without data loss (I just did it on Windows 10): https://knowledgebase.macrium.com/display/KNOW80/Restoring+a+UEFI-GPT+System+image+to+MBR

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