Windows 10: Is There a MBR GPT Virus/Malware Thing?

This is a completely new install of win10 I have just now put up.

The fourth this year.

The third in about the last 3 - 6 months.

I'm very slack about keeping records but the previous two I am completely sure had MBR boot partitions on UEFI computers - and that's not what they should have had and not what they were set up with when Windows was installed on them.

This very computer here had a new install put on in desparation a few months ago - maybe only two or three - and I went and bought a completely new disk for it to make sure it was a good install.

My son's computer went down last week and eventually we found that same problem. Windows tells you. You go to make a new install and it tells you it can't because it is MBR.

So for sure something is changing these boot partitions.. For sure.

Does anyone have any knowledge of what it might be? A virus? Malware?

:)

 

Convert only one partition on the disk from MBR to GPT

Follow the steps listed here on using GPTgen. He also lists how to create and restore backups.

Converting MBR to GPT without deleting your partitions

 

clone MBR HD to bootable GPT partition?

Hi,

1. You cannot convert mbr to gpt without data loss. otherwise, you can follow directions here:

FROM WINDOWS RECOVERY CONSOLE:

To change a master boot record disk into a GUID partition table disk using a command line

• 
  Back up or move the data on the basic master boot record (MBR) disk you want to convert into a GUID partition table (GPT) disk.
  
• 
  Open an elevated command prompt (right-click Command Prompt, and then click Run as Administrator) and type diskpart. If the disk does not contain any partitions or volumes, skip to step 6.
  
• 
  At the DISKPART prompt, type list disk. Make note of the disk number you want to convert.
  
• 
  At the DISKPART prompt, type select disk <disknumber>.
  
• 
  At the DISKPART prompt, type clean.
  

2. I'd suggest converting your vista drive to a virtual machine, load that up on your windows 10 system and use a program like virtualbox to run it.

 

Convert only one partition on the disk from MBR to GPT

Step 2
Convert MBR to GPT without data loss