Windows 10: Clarification - MBR vs GPT

I've installed Windows 10 almost 20 times, but always as an upgrade over an existing OS. I'm finally going to install it on a few systems I've just completed building. I understand that if I am using UEFI, the drives must be formatted as GPT partitions.

I'm not finding any clear answers, so I am asking here, once and for all. Is there a benefit to running UEFI/GPT versus the traditional BIOS/MBR?

I never have more than 4 partitions on a drive, and don't plan on having a bootable disk larger than 1 TB on any system. Is performance the same?

I've had to troubleshoot a non-booting Windows 7 system that ran UEFI/GPT and it was a royal pain to get any repair functions working.

:)

 

Restoring Windows 10 from backup ISO

Hi,

The new drive may have been preformatted as the wrong type of drive...

GPT vs MBR... When your old one is finished, check to see which it is, and compare to the new one...

 

Installing and booting windows 10 on a GPT partition

Do you have a UEFI BIOS? This is the only way you can install Windows to a GPT disk, otherwise it can only be used to intialize data disks, especially if you want them to be larger than the 2tb limit Windows has for MBR (Legacy BIOS) disks.

GPT vs MBR Disk Comparison

To find this out, type msinfo in Start Search, in System Information look at the BIOS type. If MBR you most likely have Legacy BIOS. But you can boot into BIOS setup to check for UEFI settings that may be disabled, or CSM/Legacy BIOS that may be disabled.
To install to UEFI one must also boot the installation media as a UEFI device.

More here:
Clean Install Windows 10

and here:
UEFI BIOS vs. Legacy BIOS - YouTube

 

Here's some explanation between the two's:

Solved Does a Windows 10, clean install, create the necessary partitions? - Windows 10 Forums

In your case. You can stick with MBR for compatibility using tool such as Easy BCD and easier to setup dual booting, specially with LINUX on the same HD/SSD.

 

Performance will not be affected, but if you do ever decide to dual boot, create data partitions etc, UEFI is preferable.

A hidden benefit is secure boot which makes it harder for malware to hijack PC.

If PC can run it, you should choose this option really.

Also, if boot sectors get corrupted, can be easier to repair as boot sectors are always separate from OS, unlike MBR where boot sectors can be integral with OS partition (but usually separate).

You should not be jaundiced by Windows 7 experiences as Windows has moved on - most new installs in last few years are nearly all UEFI. Windows 10 is much easier to reinstall anyway (not a UEFI issue though).

 

That's what I was hoping to hear. I assumed it was more difficult since Windows 7 is now "aged", so Windows 10's options for repairing a non-booting system would be a lot more friendly to UEFI.

Thanks!

 

My suggestion was based on what you said in the OP. Personally, I use EFI in all my PC's except the old one that EFI is not supported. Beside the Secure boot option which I disabled, I don't see any benefit one way or other.

However, it is very easy to convert your Windows from GPT to MBR and vice versa.