The DiskPart tool applies two: MBR/GPT Partition conversion & BASIC/dynamic disk conversion

Converting a basic disk to a dynamic disk can be done directly in the disk management of the operating system, as shown in 1, which has no effect on the data on the hard disk, but may affect the startup of the system (piracy system activation is affected).

Figure 1: Basic disk conversion to dynamic disk

It is important to note that several other conversions are not done in the Windows operating system you are currently using, and need to be performed in WinRE or WinPE. These conversions require all partitions on the hard disk to be deleted to complete, which is the most general and recommended conversion method, so you need to make a backup of all your important files on your hard drive in advance, and you will need to reinstall your operating system after the conversion is complete.

Note: Some partitioning software can do so-called lossless conversions, but there is also a risk of losing data, as well as data backup when using these software conversions.

Enter the WINRE operating environment

First enter the WinRE (or WinPE) environment and open a command prompt. Learn some ways to enter the WINRE environment:

1, if the use of Win7, restart the computer. When the brand logo appears, press F8, and then select "Repair Computer" in the "Advanced startup Options" that appear.

Figure 2:windows7 Advanced Boot Options

Then, if a list of select repair operating systems appears, select "Command Prompt".

2, if you are using Win8, enter Win8 first, then open the Right Charm menu, click "Settings"--"Change PC Settings", select the "Advanced startup" option in the location shown (also can be quickly into the advanced boot option by pressing shift+ reboot), then select "Troubleshooting"--"advanced options "--" command Prompt ".

Figure 3:windows 8 ways to enter advanced boot options

3. You can also boot into winre from the system installation CD or USB stick. How to do this: from the CD/u disk, in the "Start installation Now" screen click on the bottom left corner "repair Computer", then select "Troubleshooting"-"Advanced Options"-"Command Prompt".

Figure 4: How to enter WinRE using the installation CD/u disk

Conversion methods and operating examples

After you open the command prompt, type the following command (each command followed by a carriage return) to complete the conversion:

2. Diskpart
   
4. List disk
   
6. Select Disk n
   
8. Clean
   
10. Convert xxx

Note: When you run the second command, all hard disks connected to your computer are listed with the/U disk and their number. Replace N in the third command with the hard drive number you want to convert, usually the primary hard disk number is 0. The xxx in the last command represents the result to be converted. Base type: basic; dynamic type: DYNAMIC;MBR disk: MBR;GPT disk: GPT. For example, to convert an MBR disk to a GPT disk, change XXX to GPT, and the rest of the same.

The following is an example of an operation that translates the MBR partition structure's primary hard disk into a GPT partition structure:

Figure 5: Converting an MBR partition structure disk to a GPT partition structure disk operation instance

What is the use of these conversions? No hurry, always use. There will be several articles on UEFI boot, which you will find in the coming of Uefi, and some of the previously seemingly complex operations have become unusually simple.

Copyright NOTICE: This article for Bo Master original article, without Bo Master permission not reproduced.

The DiskPart tool applies two: MBR/GPT Partition conversion & BASIC/dynamic disk conversion