If you are the person who likes to install Windows on your computer, then you may come across MBR and GPT partitioning.
First of all, let’s see what is partitioning. As the name suggests, partitioning means dividing a single hard drive or storage space into virtual divisions so that data can be arranged as per the user’s requirement. Technically partitioning a drive also means how the data is structured and stored on the physical drive.
Now you must be wondering what the heck is MBR and GPT?
A little about MBR and GPT
They both are the partitioning schemes for disk storage. There is the separate partition that is generally created at the beginning of the hard disk while installing an operating system. It contains the data about booting process(bootloader details) and some details about logical partitions.
MBR(Master Boot Record) has been used in computers for a long time. It was introduced by IBM in 1983. Since it was a very long time ago it has several limitations:
- 2 TB HDD Size Limit
- Up to 4 Logical Partition
And now let’s talk about GPT (GUID Partition Table). It’s the newest standard of partitioning and currently the best replacement of MBR.
All the desktops and laptops which come with pre-installed operating system comes with GPT partitioning. There are several advantages of having GPT partition on your computer. Here are some of them:
- Up to 128 Logical Partition
- 18 Exabytes HDD Size Limit
Advanced View of MBR and GPT
We already explained the main difference between MBR & GPT, and now it’s time to be a little geekier. The image given below shows the structure of MBR and GPT partitioning scheme:
Image Credits: https://www.schoonepc.nl/instal/partition.html
MBR is divided into three major parts: Master boot code, Partition Table of Disk, and disk signature. However, on MBR, Partition table can only contain at max four entries. (Up to 4 Logical Partitions)
The structure of GPT is little more extension of MBR.
- It contains Protective MBR which helps disk-based utilities to prevent misrecognition and overwriting the data on GPT disks.
- Primary GUID Partition Table Header which contains its own size and location and the size and location of the secondary GPT header.
- Primary GUID Partition Entry Array.
- Backup GUID Partition Entry Array.
- Backup GUID Partition Table Header.
Here GUID Partition Table can have up to 128 entries.
What does it mean for you?
As you can see that there are several advantages of having a GPT partition on your computer, but it really depends on you and your choice of what you use.
Let’s say you are using some OS(Most probably an old one) then you must have to go with MBR as GPT will not be supported by that operating system.
But if your operating system does support GPT partition scheme then you must go with it as it is newer and will provide better performance and stability.
Note: Also note that if you use GPT partition scheme on your hard disk then make sure that you have a UEFI supported computer. Otherwise, your computer probably will not boot up.
Benefits & Limitations of GPT Partitioning Scheme
Considering all the things that we mentioned earlier, there are several other points that you must keep in mind:
- GPT supports more than four partitions and up to 128 Partitions on Windows.
- GPT is better for various security reasons.
- You can connect Hard disk of size more than 2 TB using GPT.
- GPT can only be used with 64bit of the operating system. So if you are going to install the 32-bit operating system, we will suggest you opt for MBR.
- GPT only works with UEFI. (Explained Earlier)
- Operating System Compatibility. (Explained earlier)
How to Format Hard Disk to Use MBR or GPT
Now the question that will be coming to your mind will be how to select which partitioning scheme for a hard drive. There are several third parties tools like Paragon, EaseUS Partition Master and several other which can let you set the partitioning scheme.
Also if you are running Windows 8 or newer you can go to windows inbuilt partition manager, connect your new HDD or SSD and select the partitioning scheme that you want to use.
If you are going to install a new OS on your computer then before you create bootable pen drive you must select which partitioning scheme that you want to install your operating system on. There are several third party software which will let you choose from these option like Rufus, Win32 Disk Imager, etc.
If you use any other software to get this job done let us know in the comment section below.
You can also migrate your HDD from MBR to GPT using various tools available in the market. However, this is not recommended because depending on the size of the data it will consume a lot of time. Instead of this, you can backup your data, format the HDD using GPT and restore the data.
We hope that this article has helped you in clearing out all of your doubts regarding MBR and GPT. If so, let us know your views on it and also tell us which partitioning scheme you find better and more suitable for you.
Also, if you have any doubts then feel free to ask us using the comment section below. We would be glad to help you out.
Sure it is :)
Hello Nevil,
Thank You for the correction. We have corrected it!
I thought the max capacity for GPT is 18 Exabytes instead of 18 Petabytes…
Thanks for this nice article that we know about about MBR vs GPT & which one is better for Hard Drive. Most of people don’t know about MBR vs GPT but this is important to know which one is good.
Hello Mehul,
This is Lovely Post Appreciate For The Share, Keep up The Good Work,
have a Nice Day Ahead,