Migrate Windows OS from GPT Disk to MBR SSD without Reinstalling

The Case

"Hi, experts! Recently I was planning to clone my system drive from GPT disk to another MBR SSD. So I was wondering do I have to convert MBR SSD to GPT first of all? Or you guys have any other great suggestions on how to migrate OS from GPT disk to MBR SSD directly without changing disk style?”

Why migrate OS to MBR SSD from GPT disk?

Although GPT comes with some obvious advantages over MBR disk, like allowing you to create up to 128 primary partitions, supporting over 2TB disks and more, some people still want to migrate OS from GPT disk. As we know, SSD will offer smaller disk capacity comparing to HDD of the same price.

Most computers operating systems are installed on hard disk drives (HDD) which may be with large size and initialized to GPT disk. The newly purchased SSD, due to prices factor, perhaps has less than 2TB capacity and initialized to MBR disk. To experience better performance, faster booting speed, and decreased programs loading time, users would like to migrate OS to MBR SSD from GPT disk in Windows.

Software to clone OS from GPT to MBR SSD

When it comes to migrate or clone Windows system from one disk to the other, a cloning software or system migration tool would be of great help, since you cannot move OS directly using Windows built-in tools. AOMEI Partition Assistant Professional is such program that has “Migrate OS to SSD” feature, allowing you to migrate operating system to new hard disk or a speedy new SSD without reinstalling everything.

This software comes with a clean and user-friendly interface, making it quite easy to use, even for the computer novices. And it works well on Windows 10, 8/8.1, 7, XP and Vista.

There is one more matter that worth to mention. Technically, GPT works well with Extensible Firmware Interface (EFI) or the Unified EFI (UEFI). And MBR works with older and simpler firmware Basic Input/Output System (BIOS). Therefore, after you switch from GPT to MBR, do not forget to change boot mode at the same time.

How to migrate OS from GPT disk to MBR SSD?

In the first place, connect the MBR SSD to your computer. It can be connected via external disk enclosure or USB-to-SATA cable. Install and run AOMEI Partition Assistant. This tutorial will take migrating Windows 7 from GPT to MBR for example.

Step 1. Click Migrate OS to SSD in the left Wizard pane. A dialog states this operation information pops up later. Click Next to continue.

Step 2. Choose the SSD as the destination space. Remember to check box “I want to delete all partitions on this disk 2 to migrate system to the disk” and click Next.

Step 3. You’re allowed to resize the system partition before migrating. The drive letter can be reassigned manually.

Step 4. There is a Note on how to boot OS from destination disk maybe you want to bear in mind.

Step 5. You’ll see the virtual result of system migration. ClickApply > Proceed to execute the pending operations.

Step 6. Shut down your computer if the migration finishes. Press F2, Del, F8 or other specific key to enter BIOS. You need to alter two settings here, boot priority and boot mode. Change boot priority to cloned MBR SSD and switch from UEFI to Legacy. Then press F10 to save change and exit.

Tips:

• The destination MBR SSD will be overwritten. Backup files that matter a lot to safe place beforehand.

• This process needs to be completed in Windows restart mode.

• By default, this program will copy only used section of the source disk to target disk. So, you can also migrate OS from larger drive to smaller one as long as the used part fits.

• If the OS drive on GPT disk is larger than 2TB, the process will fail because MBR disk supports less than 2TB storage. You can shrink volume/partition first and then try again.

Summary

Only in five steps can you easily migrate Windows OS from GPT disk to MBR SSD with the help of the powerful partition tool. As a matter of fact, except for switching from GPT to MBR, this software allows you to transfer OS from GPT to GPT disk as well. In addition, the conversion between MBR and GPT in this tool makes it a great alternative to GptGen.