How to Check Hard Disk Partition Style: MBR or GPT

When installing Windows or setting up a new hard drive, you may come across the terms MBR (Master Boot Record) and GPT (GUID Partition Table). These are two different types of partition styles that determine how data is stored and how your system boots.

Knowing whether your hard disk uses MBR or GPT is important, especially when you’re planning to install Windows, enable UEFI boot mode, or upgrade to Windows 11 (which requires GPT with Secure Boot and UEFI).

In this guide, I’ll show you how to check your hard disk partition style in Windows using simple methods.

🖥️ Method 1: Check Partition Style Using Disk Management

1. Press Windows + X and select Disk Management.

2. In the Disk Management window, right-click on the drive you want to check (e.g., Disk 0).

3. Select Properties.

4. Go to the Volumes tab.

5. Look for Partition style: it will show either Master Boot Record (MBR) or GUID Partition Table (GPT).

👉 This is the simplest way to find out your partition style.

⚡ Method 2: Check Partition Style Using Command Prompt

1. Press Windows + R, type cmd, and press Enter.

2. In the Command Prompt, type:

   diskpart
   

3. Then type:

   list disk
   

4. You will see a list of all your disks.

   • If there is a * under the GPT column, the disk uses GPT.

   • If there is no *, the disk uses MBR.

👉 This method is quick and works without opening Disk Management.

⚙️ Method 3: Check Partition Style Using PowerShell

1. Press Windows + X and select Windows PowerShell (Admin).

2. Type the following command:

   Get-Disk
   

3. You will see details of all connected disks, including the PartitionStyle column which shows MBR or GPT.

🔍 MBR vs GPT: What’s the Difference?

• MBR (Master Boot Record):

  • Older partition style, supports up to 2TB disks.

  • Allows up to 4 primary partitions.

  • Works with Legacy BIOS.

• GPT (GUID Partition Table):

  • Modern partition style, supports disks larger than 2TB.

  • Allows unlimited partitions (Windows supports up to 128).

  • Works with UEFI boot mode.

  • Required for Windows 11 installation.

👉 If you’re setting up a new system, GPT is the recommended choice.

Watch the Full Video Tutorial

For a visual step-by-step walkthrough of the entire process watch our complete guide on YouTube:

Conclusion

Checking whether your hard disk uses MBR or GPT is very easy in Windows. You can use Disk Management, Command Prompt, or PowerShell to find out.

For modern PCs, GPT is recommended because it supports UEFI, larger drives, and is required for Windows 11.

By knowing your disk’s partition style, you can avoid installation errors and make better decisions when upgrading or reinstalling your operating system.

👉 Also check out my full guide: How to Check HDD/SSD Health

🛈 Note: This article is intended only for educational and informational use. All mentioned tools or customizations are designed for personal offline gameplay experiences. We respect the original game developers and do not encourage any unauthorized usage.

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⚠️ Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only. We do not host or promote illegal or unauthorized modifications. Use of any third-party tools should comply with your local game policies and terms of service.