Change a Master Boot Record Disk into a GUID Partition Table Disk

As MBR (Master Boot Record) partitioning supports only four partition table entries and we need to create extended partition for more partitions. There are problems in MBR partitioning like complex and poorly specified whereas GPT (GUID Partition Table) disks are well defined and fully self-identifying. Even a GPT disk can grow to a very large size and can contain unlimited number of partitions.

Here is a detailed tutorial to change a master boot record disk into a GUID partition table disk:

Using the Windows interface:

First and foremost step is to move or back up the data present on the basic MBR disk which is to be converted into a GPT disk.
If there are any partitions or volumes of the disk then first delete that partition or volume by right-clicking on that and select delete volume or partition.
Now right-click on the MBR disk and click Convert to GPT disk.

Using command line:

Same as using in Windows interface, backup or move data from MBR disk which is to be converted.
Run cmd as Administrator by right-clicking on command prompt and selecting Run as Administrator.
Type diskpart and press Enter.
Type list disk and press Enter. If there are no partition or volumes present on the disk please skip to step 7.
Now type select disk <disknumber>. Here <disknumber> will be the number of that disk which you want to convert.
Type clean. All partition or volumes present on the disk will be cleaned now.
At the DISKPART prompt, type convert gpt. This command will convert an empty basic disk with the master boot record (MBR) partition style into a basic disk with the GUID partition table (GPT) partition style.

This article applies to the following operating systems:

Windows 8
Windows Server 2012
Windows 7
Windows Server 2008
Windows Server 2008 R2
Windows Vista
Windows Server 2003 SP1
Windows Server 2003 (64-bit)
Windows XP x64 edition