ACRONIS BACKUP AND RECOVERY 10 ADVANCED SERVER - UPDATE 3 User Manual page 284

5. Wait until the task is finished.
6.11.5.3 Disk conversion: MBR to GPT
You would want to convert an MBR basic disk to a GPT basic disk in the following cases:

If you need more than 4 primary volumes on one disk.

If you need additional disk reliability against any possible data damage.
If you need to convert a basic MBR disk to basic GPT:
1. Select a basic MBR disk to convert to GPT.
2. Right-click on the selected volume, and then click Convert to GPT in the context menu.
You will receive a warning window, stating that you are about to convert MBR into GPT.
3. By clicking OK, you'll add a pending operation of MBR to GPT disk conversion.
(To finish the added operation you will have to commit (p. 293) it. Exiting the program without
committing the pending operations will effectively cancel them.)
Please note: A GPT-partitioned disk reserves the space in the end of the partitioned area necessary for the
backup area, which stores copies of the GPT header and the partition table. If the disk is full and the volume size
cannot be automatically decreased, the conversion operation of the MBR disk to GPT will fail.
The operation is irreversible. If you have a primary volume, belonging to an MBR disk, and convert the disk first
to GPT and then back to MBR, the volume will be logical and will not be able to be used as a system volume.
If you plan to install an OS that does not support GPT disks, the reverse conversion of the disk to
MBR is also possible through the same menu items the name of the operation will be listed as
Convert to MBR.
Dynamic disk conversion: MBR to GPT
Acronis Disk Director Lite does not support direct MBR to GPT conversion for dynamic disks. However
you can perform the following conversions to reach the goal using the program:
1. MBR disk conversion: dynamic to basic (p. 285) using the Convert to basic operation.
2. Basic disk conversion: MBR to GPT using the Convert to GPT operation.
3. GPT disk conversion: basic to dynamic (p. 285) using the Convert to dynamic operation.
6.11.5.4 Disk conversion: GPT to MBR
If you plan to install an OS that does not support GPT disks, conversion of the GPT disk to MBR is
possible the name of the operation will be listed as Convert to MBR.
If you need to convert a GPT disk to MBR:
1. Select a GPT disk to convert to MBR.
2. Right-click on the selected volume, and then click Convert to MBR in the context menu.
You will receive a warning window, stating that you are about to convert GPT into MBR.
You will be explained the changes that will happen to the system after the chosen disk is
converted from GPT to MBR. E.g. if such conversion will stop a disk from being accessed by the
system, the operating system will stop loading after such conversion or some volumes on the
selected GPT disk will not be accessible with MBR (e.g. volumes located more than 2 TB from the
beginning of the disk) you will be warned here about such damage.
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