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How to Know if the Windows is MBR or GPT in Windows 11

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Before reinstalling Windows 11, check to see if your computer’s partition scheme is GPT or MBR, so you can create the appropriate bootable Windows 11 USB for the installation. Meanwhile, in this guide, you’ll 2 different ways to check if your Windows is MBR or GPT in Windows 11.

As you may be aware, a bootable USB produced for the GPT partition scheme cannot be used to install Windows 11 on a disc formatted using the MBR partition scheme. To avoid problems during the Windows 10 installation, make sure you have a bootable USB with the right partition style.

How to Know if the Windows is MBR or GPT in Windows 11

You have two methods for determining which partition table your drive is using: use Windows’ graphical Disk Management tool or use the command line.

Method 1. Check via Disk Management

This information is accessible using the Windows Disk Management tool. Select “Disk Management” from the Start menu by right-clicking it or pressing Windows Key+X. You may alternatively launch the Run dialogue by pressing Windows Key+R, then typing “diskmgmt.msc” into the box and pressing Enter.

Disk Management

Find the disk you want to check. Right-click it and select Properties.

Properties

Now, go to the Volumes tab and find whether it’s MBR or GPT next to the Partition style. In our case, it’s MBR (Master Boot Record.

Partition style

Method 2. Know if the Windows is MBR or GPT in Windows 11 using CMD

In a Command Prompt window, you may also use the normal diskpart command to check. To begin, right-click the Start button or press Windows Key+X to open a Command Prompt window as Administrator and select “Command Prompt (Admin).” You may also right-click on the Command Prompt shortcut in the Start menu and choose Run as Administrator.

MBR or GPT in Windows 11: Know If Windows is MBR or GPT [2-Methods]
Command Prompt
Now, type the following command one by one and press enter:

  • diskpart
  • list disk

You’ll see a table listing your connected disks. If it’s an MBR disk, it will be blank under the Gpt column. However, If a disk is GPT, it will have an asterisk (*) under the “Gpt” column.

MBR or GPT in Windows 11: Know If Windows is MBR or GPT [2-Methods]
Know if the Windows is MBR or GPT in Windows 11 using CMD
Differences Between MBR vs GPT Partitions

The differences between MBR and GPT partitions are many, but we’ll go through the most important ones here.

To begin with, MBR partition tables have a maximum capacity of just around 2 terabytes. With MBR, you can utilize a disc with more than 2 terabytes, but only the first 2 terabytes will be used. The remaining space on the drive will be thrown away.

GPT partition tables, on the other hand, have a maximum capacity of 9.7 zettabytes. You’re unlikely to run out of space very soon, as 1 zettabyte is around 1 billion terabytes.

The maximum number of partitions in an MBR partition table is four. One of those partitions, however, may be set up as an extended partition, which is a partition that can be divided into 23 further partitions. As a result, the absolute maximum number of partitions in an MBR partition table is 26.

GPT partition tables support up to 128 distinct partitions, which is plenty for most real-world applications.

MBR is generally associated with older Legacy BIOS systems, whereas GPT is associated with modern UEFI systems. This implies that MBR partitions are more compatible with software and hardware, while GPT is catching up. For more information click here.

These were the 2 methods to know if your Windows is MBR or GPT in Windows 11.

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