Convert MBR to GPT

Is there any way to convert an MBR disk to GPT without losing data?

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I don’t think this is possible - the underlying partition tables are incompatible.

Not done myself (although I want to try), but it seems that it is possible: https://superuser.com/questions/1250895/converting-between-gpt-and-mbr-hard-drive-without-losing-data

When you launch gdisk targeting a MBR disk you are greeted with this warning

***************************************************************
Found invalid GPT and valid MBR; converting MBR to GPT format.
THIS OPERATION IS POTENTIALLY DESTRUCTIVE! Exit by typing 'q' if
you don't want to convert your MBR partitions to GPT format!
***************************************************************

Please note the THIS OPERATION IS POTENTIALLY DESTRUCTIVE! sentence.

Prepare yourself by backing up your data.

While I have used gdisk to convert MBR to GPT - it has always resulted in dataloss - there is absolutely no way to warrant this action won’t destroy your data.

gdisk creator has an article about this: Converting to or from GPT

Normally it should work. But in certain cases can be problems.

I know - the developer is very, very good at what he does - but the fact the developer issues the warning when launching gdisk on a MBR disk - should be enough evidence how wrong it can go.

:warning:

So before doing any thing - ensure you have a backup image of the disk - eg. using clonezilla.

Another thing to consider - the level of expertise from the member asking the question - messing with partition tables without proper precautions is a recipe for disaster.

Yes, of course. I wouldn’t do it in a disk with important data to me without a backup.

Just became aware of this topic: yes it can be done with gdisk. I’ve done it on 3 system disks in 3 different machines.

Partition table backups should suffice in case anything goes wrong, see arch wiki:
https://wiki.archlinux.org/title/fdisk#Backup_and_restore_partition_table
If one wants to be extra careful, a full backup of all data should put one*s mind at ease.

If you use BIOS legacy, it is not compatible with GPT.

I actually already managed to do this.