Restoring MBR System Image to GPT/UEFI (Safe Boot)

Why we need to restore MBR system image to GPT/UEFI?

We all know that the system restore can help us to solve some unexpected problems, and we backup the operating system just in case. But with the advanced OS, our files or images are bigger than before. Thus, the traditional MBR disk can’t adapt to the requirements. Or, when we want to replace the old MBR computer with a new GPT computer, we may restore MBR image to GPT disk to enjoy the familiar working environment. First, let’s see the basic knowledge about MBR, GPT, and UEFI.

• MBR (master boot record), a guide sector in the very front of drive which can only support up to 2TB partition size, and it can only have four primary partitions.
• GPT-GUID (Globally Unique Identifier) Partition Table, a new standard of disk partition table which can support more than 2 TB partition size, and it can build many partitions. Compared with MBR, it can create larger volume and more primary partitions.
• UEFI (the Unified Extensible Firmware Interface), which can cover the shortage of BIOS( Basic Input/Output System), is also an interface between PC’s firmware and the OS. No matter MBR disk or GPT disk, it can support all of them.

As the advantages or disadvantages, we always convert MBR to GPT disk, and vice versa according to our demand.

Best free backup and restore software for Windows PC

For Windows 7, or the later operating system, the files are bigger than before. However, the MBR disk can only support up to 2TB partition size. So, what can we deal with the large volume files or image? Considering the large partition size and the flexible partition management, restoring MBR system image to GPT/UEFI can’t be a good idea anymore.

As this operation is beyond Windows disk management, we can use the third party software like AOMEI Backupper to finish it. You can download it using the following download button. This software can make system restore easily and quickly and ensure the system is bootable after restoration.

Restore MBR system image to a GPT disk on the same PC

Before you do:

● Ensure that you have already created an MBR system image.

● Make sure that your OS can work in UEFI motherboard and you have prepared a GPT disk to boot in UEFI.

Step 1. Launch AOMEI Backupper Standard. Click the “Restore” under the system image in “Home” page. Or click “Select Image File” under the “Restore” tab to locate the MBR image manually.

Step 2. Check "Restore this system backup" and "Restore system to other location" in turn, then click "Next".  

Step 3. Then, select the destination to restore the MBR system to the GPT disk.

Step 4. There is another pop box to remind you that whether you are sure to do, click “Yes” and it will show the following picture. Confirm the information and click “Start Restore”.

Step 5. Finally, after the progress reaches 100%, please click "Finish" to exit the operation. Then you have already restored the MBR to GPT disk.

Restore MBR system image to a GPT disk on the new PC

If you bought a new PC and would like to use the old system, or you changed the motherboard so that the MBR can’t handle it, or some other reasons, you can restore the MBR system image to GPT/UEFI on another computer, which we called Universal Restore.

It ensures secure boot after restoring OS to a computer with different hardware. You can learn more by clicking the link mentioned above. To enjoy this feature, you need to upgrade to advanced versions.

Summary

Hope this article can help you to restore MBR system image to GPT/UEFI successfully. Other than the backup and restore features, AOMEI Backupper is embedded with the sync feature. You can use it to transfer files from PC to PC. Why not try it now?