Difference between MBR and GPT Partitions on a Hard Disk

When you are going to replace the hard drive, whether it is new or used, you need to create a partition first by reformatting it. Then in this process, we have to choose the type of partition system to be used.

Speaking of partitions, there are two types of partitions, namely MBR and GPT, which make you confused when you are going to do the format process. Before Windows 8 came along, MBR and GPT were not discussed or discussed too much. At that time the operating system still used the MBR hard drive partition for all of them. It was only after there was a Windows 8 OS that the GPT hard disk partition became known.

From Experience, when We use Windows 8, here we find difficulties with partitions, after searching for articles here and there, it turns out that there are 2 types of partitions, namely MBR and GPT. Where GPT Partition supports full format UEIFI.

but, even though it is like that, the MBR partition can still be used in windows 8 and 10. But it has its drawbacks in our opinion. For safe search, we program our Partition with GPT Partition for Windows 8 and above. It means the latest Ubuntu Linux.

Now to be able to use this GPT hard drive partition, you can't be careless, because the OS used must already support 64 bits with UEFI BIOS. So this GPT can be used for the latest hardware and software only.

Now to better understand what are the differences between MBR and GPT on the hard disk partition, here we provide a complete explanation of MBR and GPT.

What are MBR and GPT

Understanding MBR

MBR (Master Boot Record) is a hard disk partition architecture whose task is to hold information about system files, logical partitions, and system settings. If we look at history, MBR has existed since 1983 issued by IBM along with the DOS operating system. Until now, the DOS operating system is still running.

One of the most visible uses of MBR is during the computer boot process. At boot time, the MBR partition will look for where the boot sectors are located. This boot sector contains the files and information that the system needs for the boot process from startup to finish to desktop display.

Disadvantages of MBR partition

Several reasons make this MBR partition start to be abandoned now, here's the discussion:

• Mbr partitions are only capable of supporting hard drive storage media of up to 2 TB.
• MBR partitions are only able to support the creation of a maximum of 4 primary partitions on the hard disk.
• If you want to create more than one partition in the hard disk, then you have to sacrifice the primary partition to be an extended partition.
• The location of the file system is only on the first sector of the hard disk, so if there is a corruption or error, the computer fails to boot, and the solution must be reinstalled.

From now on, especially on the latest generation of computers and laptops, they have switched to using GPT, rarely encountered using MBR model partitions.

Definition of GPT

GPT (GUID Partition Table) is the latest generation hard drive partition technology replacing MBR. GPT is a technology in the latest generation UEFI BIOS that is more sophisticated and complete.

So computers/laptops that use GPT partitions must use UEFI.

The advantage of GPT can create up to 128 primary partitions, of course, this is more than the MBR partition which only allows 4 primary partitions. The hard drive storage capacity is also much larger, it can be up to 9.44 ZB (1 ZB equivalent to 1 million TB). Can you imagine how much data can be stored in the GPT partition?

Historically GPT began to be developed in the 1990s, finally, GPT became part of UEFI which became a replacement for the old series BIOS. It was only in the last few years after the appearance of Windows 8 that GPT began to be widely used.

Difference between MBR and GPT

To be clear, here we provide some differences regarding MBR and GPT partitions.

• A hard drive with an MBR partition can only be a maximum of 4 partitions, while GPT can accommodate up to 128 partitions.

• MBR storage capacity is only 2 TB while GPT can be up to 9.44 ZB.

• If the MBR partition wants to add more than 4 partitions, then it must sacrifice the primary partition.

• MBR partition there is only one partition that can be used to store the operating system, while for the GPT partition the operating system has been backed up on other partitions so that it is safer.

• Hard drives with MBR partitions can be used for various operating systems.

•GPT hard drives can only be used for Windows 64-bit operating systems only.

• Operating system recommendations for MBR partitions using Windows 7 and below, while for GPT partitions you can use Windows 8 and above.

• For the boot speed of the MBR hard drive is slower than the GPT hard drive.

• The language used on the MBR hard drive uses the Assembler language, while for GPT it already uses the C-language.

How to convert MBR files to GPT ?

Some computer users still use the MBR partition on their computer, when in fact it can be changed to GPT. For that we provide a tutorial on how to convert MBR to GPT below:

1. Please download AOMEI Partition Assistant software.
We chose to use software because it is simpler and easier to use. In addition, using software has been tested successfully and there are many examples.

2. Install
If you have finished the download process, please install the software until it is successful.

3. Convert to GPT
Please open the software, then select the "Convert to GPT" menu in the sidebar menu. Please wait until the conversion process is complete.

So that's the discussion about the differences between MBR and GPT and also how to convert MBR to GPT. If you experience difficulties in the conversion process, you can write it in the comments column below.

Thank you

Reference Source: https://qwords.com/blog/perbedaan-mbr-dan-gpt