Install Windows 11 on a GPT Partition [Quick And Easy]

Why install Windows 11 on a GPT Partition?

Because Microsoft pays more attention to protect users’ data security, the system requirements for Windows 11 are different from those of previous Windows OS.

Windows 11 has very specific requirements for the boot mode, that is Windows 11 should use UEFI boot mode, because UEFI can turn on secure boot. However, UEFI is only supported by GPT partition style, so we have to install the Windows 11 on a GPT partition.

MBR Vs. GPT, what's the difference?

Before installing Windows 11, we need to figure out what is MBR and GPT?

Both MBR and GPT are disk partition styles. MBR is an old partition style that requires a traditional BIOS to boot and supports hard drives up to 2 TB and 4 primary partitions or 3 primary partitions + 1 extended partition.  While GPT is a new partition style, which is booted by UEFI boot mode. It supports partitions up to 9.4ZB and has no limit on the number of partitions.

What to do before installing Windows 11 on a GPT partition?

For any Windows 10 user who wants to install Win 11, you need to check whether your computer meets the requirements of Windows 11. If your system disk is an MBR disk, you should convert it to a GPT, and change the BIOS to UEFI. Then you can upgrade Windows 10 to Windows 11 from Check for updates.

Tip: If you are still running Windows 7, please refer to how to install Windows 11 on Windows 7.

To convert the system disk from MBR to GPT. I highly recommend that you use AOMEI Partition Assistant Professional. It supports you to make the conversion without losing data, and there are no more complex operations during conversion, which is easily and safely.

Now, you can download the demo version to see how to install Windows 11 on a GPT partition step by step.

Step 1. Install and run AOMEI Partition Assistant Professional. Right-click the disk (take the system disk as an example) and choose “Convert to GPT”.

Step 2. Click “OK” to confirm your operation.

Step 3. Click “Apply” to commit the pending operation.

Change BIOS boot mode to UEFI

After converting system disk from MBR to GPT, you also need to change Legacy to UEFI. Please refer to the following steps:

✍ Restart the computer, and when the loading screen appears on the screen, press and hold the prompt key (usually ESC, F2, F12) at the bottom of the screen to enter the BIOS.

✍ Control the arrow keys to select UEFI/BIOS Boot Mode in the Boot column, and then change Legacy to UEFI.

Upgrade from Windows 10 to Windows 11

After successfully converting the system disk to GPT and changing the BIOS to UEFI boot mode, you have met the two most important conditions for installing Windows 11.

Now, you need to enter to the “Settings”, select “Update & Security”, and then click “Check for updates”. If available, you will see an update prompt about Windows 11. Download and complete the installation.

Bottom

In this tutorial. I not only explain why install Windows 11 on a GPT partition, but also demonstrate how to convert MBR to GPT without data loss for Windows 11. With the help of AOMEI Partition Assistant Professional, you can do it easily.

In addition, you can also create a Windows 11 bootable USB, or try other useful features like allocating free space, cloning a smaller HDD to a larger one, moving applications from one drive to another, migrating OS to SSD, etc.