Windows 10: Diskpart question-convert from GPT to MBR on a flash drive

I'm 99% certain the clean command also creates the MBR partition table, making convert mbr unnecessary after a clean command. But it's like "assign" and "select part 1" - should not be needed, but won't hurt anything if you add it.

 

Yeah...We've had the assign and select partition 1 conversation before when you explained how that works to me. Like you said though it does no harm if you want to add them

 

I know that I can convert a USB flash drive to MBR from GPT using diskpart, clean and convert mbr. That's been explained to me above.
Ive found a tutorial on Tenforums that also shows this method.
Just out of curiosity this tutorial also shows how it can be done in Disk Management by deleting all the volumes on the disk then right clicking and selecting convert mbr. That convert mbr or convert gpt is not available. Its not greyed out or anything..its not there as an option at all. Does anybody have any idea why the option is missing in Disk Management? Ive got Fall Creators Update and my system is Windows 10 installed in UEFI.
I know its not a problem because I can convert to MBR in Diskpart. I'm just curious as to why the Disk Management method isn't available on my laptop and apparently it is supposed to be

 

Just had a thought.. if you just insert "convert mbr" after the clean command during the bootable drive creation procedure. Would it be necessary to close down the diskpart command prompt screen after the convert mbr command as the next command would be create partition primary? I thought Id better ask in case the create partition primary command causes a problem with the convert mbr command with you saying that you are 99% certain the clean command reverts the drive back to MBR automatically anyway. Would it be better to close down diskpart after clean and convert mbr. Then open diskpart up again and create partition primary, fs=fat32 quick, active, exit to finish off creating the bootable flash drive?

 

@sportsfan148,

You are overthinking this way too much. I've created a bootable USB flash drive hundreds of times with different versions of Windows. Insert the USB flash drive, open a command prompt (admin), run:

diskpart
list disk
select disk # <-replace # with the actual number of the USB flash drive
clean
create part pri
format fs=fat32 quick
active
exit
exit

Mount the ISO file. Copy files and folders.

Really - that's all you have to do.

 

Yeah ..I have those instructions written down exactly as you've typed them. My question was concerning where you said to insert the convert mbr command immediately after the clean command to ensure an MBR partition had indeed been created (because at the moment my flash drive is GPT partition style). I wondered if that was OK to be done at the same time and just insert the convert mbr line in your procedure shown above or whether it was better to clean and convert mbr....exit diskpart...then go back in and perform your procedure for creating a bootable windows 10 USB flash drive. Can it all be done in one go?

 

If you want to insert all of the optional commands its:

diskpart
list disk
select disk #
clean
convert mbr
create part pri
select part 1
format fs=fat32 quick
assign
active
exit
exit

Straight through. Nothing in between. No exiting diskpart in the middle. No removing or re-inserting the flash drive. No rebooting the computer. No stopping for a cigarette break. Just straight through. The optional commands are in bold. You should not need them.

 

Thanks very much Navy. You definitely cant be any clearer than that The Diskpart method is the way forward for me now having always used the Media Creation Tool or Rufus method in the past. Hopefully Microsoft wont let the Windows 10 ISO get over 4gb because then there will be a problem with the Diskpart method with FAT32 not working with files over 4gb. I know its getting closer nowadays. I believe the Windows 10 ISO was around 3.5 GB the last time I checked

 

They will split the install file (either install.esd or install.wim) into parts that are less than 4 GB and re-enable setup support for split .wim files. They have to maintain compatibility with FAT32 because there are too many computers that require the install media to be FAT32.

Split a Windows image file (.wim) to span across multiple DVDs | Microsoft Docs

 

That's good to know. As long as they don't make the Diskpart method obsolete for creating a bootable Windows 10 USB with the Windows 10 ISO...forcing people to use their Media Creation Tool. Id hate to have to go back to using the Media Creation Tool after the problems Ive recently had with that method that lots of other people are reporting as well. It used to be a reliable method for me but no longer. Even Microsoft Chat Support couldn't help sort the issues with it out.

 

Ha Ha you assumed wrong, the OP was making a bootable drive. All you ever do is add useless comments to posts and try to belittle people by quoting them and adding your smart comments, I`ve asked you twice now in 2 separate PM`s to never quote me again, it looks like I`ll have to talk to John, you need to grow up.

Now I'm asking you so everyone can see it, please Do not ever quote me again. Thanks, Brian

Who cares about Secure boot ? It has given so many people problems trying to install windows, it`s a useless function that's not needed.

 

Sportsfan, what I mean by I don't install in UEFI is, I install to 1 partition on a MBR drive.

 

UEFI or MBR. Pick which ever one you want.
I have installed Windows 7 and Windows 10 both ways and they worked.

I ended up using UEFI but again it's a choice. Secure boot and Fast Start cause problems so I just don't use them. Again, my choice.

A little information, if one cares to read up on the subject.

Some basics of MBR v/s GPT and BIOS v/s UEFI - Manjaro Linux

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***The best I can tell you Sportsfan148 is, it's your choice.***
Jack

 

Sportsfan, you can use this site to download any version of W10 you want, you don't have to use the MCT.

TechBench by WZT (v4.1.1)

 

I see what you mean now. My laptop came set up with UEFI boot so Ive just left it that way. I don't know enough about the ins and outs of it anyway. That's some massive storage space you've got there. Makes my laptop look like a lightweight lol