How to convert MBR to GPT without wiping data

[Br3tt96]

My brother has an HP laptop and was trying to install Unbuntu on it, but his laptop can only have 4 partitions. MBR only allows 4 max, but he needs to make one more for Ubuntu to install... Any ideas? Can he switch it to GOT without losing his hard drive files and stuff?

[Nineshadow]

2. Convert MBR to GPT without data loss using Gptgen

Using this method you can convert MBR to GPT without loosing data, using a command line utility called gptgen. Gptgen is a tool designed to non-destructively convert hard disks partitioned in the common, “MSDOS-style” MBR scheme (including extended partitions) to use a GUID partition table (GPT).

It’s a very extensive tool but a bit complicated to run. According to the tool’s ‘read me’ file, the syntax of the tool is “gptgen [-w] \\.\physicaldriveX”, where X is the drive number reported by the Disk Management console or the “list disk” command of the DISKPART utility. The -w option makes gptgen write the generated GUID partition tables to the disk, otherwise the primary table will be written to a file named “primary.img“, and the secondary table to “secondary.img“, in the directory that the program was invoked from. You can then use e.g. dd to write the tables to the disk.

 

3. Convert MBR to GPT without losing data using Partition Assistant

The last method is using a tool called AOMEI Partition Assistant Lite Edition. It’s a free multifunction partition management software. This tool’s feature can help you convert a disk with data into GPT or MBR style without data loss.

To convert a disk to MBR/GPT disk:

    Select the disk to convert;
    Right click the disk and select Convert to GPT/MBR Disk;
    Confirm your operation, by clicking “OK” to continue;
    Click Apply button on the toolbar to commit the changes.

 

Taken from here : http://www.thewindowsclub.com/convert-mbr-to-gpt-disk

Haven't tried myself, so can't really vouch for it. Looks legit though.

[Thermal]

Can't sadly, had this issue while setting up hackintosh dual boot!

[Naeaes]

There aren't many free software for this but for instance gptgen can do it. Back up as much of your data as you can before trying.

[Nonco]

Its more effort than its worth, just back up or copy all the data, format it into what you want it to be and re-copy the data back. Usually a fresh format will keep the drive safer from any issues anyway/