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I want to convert my existing GPT partition table to a MBR one. UEFI is giving me too many headaches with Linux.

Actually, I'm just interested in my Windows partition. All the articles on the internet (and questions on superuser?) aim to do the reverse: MBR to GPT.

I've been thinking if something like this would work: Use a Linux LiveCD to 'dd' an image of the Windows C:\ partition (possibly the windows system partition thing too?) to an external device, create a new MBR partition table and install Windows, then copy the dd'ed partitions over?

I bet it's not that simple, and I really don't want to risk all the data on the Windows partition.

Damian
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2 Answers2

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gdisk (aka gptfdisk) can convert between MBR and GPT partition tables.

  • MBR to GPT: Run gdisk on the disk device, press w to "write and exit".

  • GPT to MBR: Run gdisk, press r for "Recovery", then g for "Convert GPT to MBR and exit".

After converting, you will have to reinstall the right bootloader.

grawity
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Use gdisk as @RodSmith and @grawity say.

Then boot into the installer disc, convert the EFI system partition to NTFS. Use bcdboot to put your boot files into the erstwhile ESP. Use bootsect /nt60 /mbr to add a bootsector to your newly converted system partition.

Reboot.

Milind R
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