Solved Reinstalling Windows 8.1 using GPT file format

DBX

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Hello all.

I currently have my laptop formatted using MBR in Windows 8.1, however, I would like to make use of GPT. I understand that in order to achieve a GPT partition, it will require complete reinstall of the OS, wiping out the contents of the hard drive.

This is what I am working with, and what I plan to do -

I have two hard drives - one containing the OS with programs installed, which I will rebuild, and the other containing data, which I will not touch. In order to prevent reinstalling all of the software and patch updates which exists on the OS drive, I will back up the partition using ActiveKillDisks Disk Partition Backup Program.

Once the OS is reinstalled, I will restore the image to that partition using Disk Partition. I will backup the OS drive on the data drive.

I assume others have done this as well, and if so, is my plan a sound plan - in order to save myself the hassle of re-installing my programs and settings without touching the data drive.

Thank you all in advance.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 7 Pro 64 Bit, Windows 8.1 64 Bit Home Edition
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Custom Build
    CPU
    Intel Core i5 4690K (the K stands for Kick-Ass)
    Motherboard
    Asus Z97A, AR
    Memory
    GSkill 32 GB DDR 3
    Graphics Card(s)
    Asus Radeon R9 390X Kick Ass Graphics Card
    Sound Card
    Sound Blaster X-Fi Titanium PCIe
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Samsung SyncMaster 275+
    Screen Resolution
    1920*1200
    Hard Drives
    Kick Ass Drives:

    Western Digital Caviar BLACK 3TB, 6TB Drive
    Plextor M.2 PCIe SS Drive - Really Kick Ass
    PSU
    PowerMax 1200W PSU, CoolerMaster Smart 750W PS
    Case
    Fractal Design Define R4, R5
    Cooling
    Noctua D15 for the CPU, Cougar for the Case
    Keyboard
    Kick-Ass Genuine IBM Keyboard
    Mouse
    Logitech Trackman Optical Mouse
    Internet Speed
    150Mb Bandwith
    Browser
    IE 11
    Antivirus
    McAfee
    Other Info
    No Overclocking
So you are saying that I can convert my hard drive to GPT without reinstalling the OS in Windows 8.1?

If so, what does one do to achieve this ?
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 7 Pro 64 Bit, Windows 8.1 64 Bit Home Edition
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Custom Build
    CPU
    Intel Core i5 4690K (the K stands for Kick-Ass)
    Motherboard
    Asus Z97A, AR
    Memory
    GSkill 32 GB DDR 3
    Graphics Card(s)
    Asus Radeon R9 390X Kick Ass Graphics Card
    Sound Card
    Sound Blaster X-Fi Titanium PCIe
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Samsung SyncMaster 275+
    Screen Resolution
    1920*1200
    Hard Drives
    Kick Ass Drives:

    Western Digital Caviar BLACK 3TB, 6TB Drive
    Plextor M.2 PCIe SS Drive - Really Kick Ass
    PSU
    PowerMax 1200W PSU, CoolerMaster Smart 750W PS
    Case
    Fractal Design Define R4, R5
    Cooling
    Noctua D15 for the CPU, Cougar for the Case
    Keyboard
    Kick-Ass Genuine IBM Keyboard
    Mouse
    Logitech Trackman Optical Mouse
    Internet Speed
    150Mb Bandwith
    Browser
    IE 11
    Antivirus
    McAfee
    Other Info
    No Overclocking
Thanks Samuria.

I did find the Free Convert MBR to GPT by EaseUS and Partition Wizard as well after seeing your original post. They advertise that they can do it for free, but when you install the program, it is available only on the paid-for pro versions. I found this out when I tried to convert a Windows 7 drive I have from MBR to GPT. It turned out my Windows 8 drives were set to GPT during the installation process.

So instead of paying for these programs to convert my Windows 7 Drive, I did as I suggested outlined above - and it worked like a charm.

Thanks for your suggestions.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 7 Pro 64 Bit, Windows 8.1 64 Bit Home Edition
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Custom Build
    CPU
    Intel Core i5 4690K (the K stands for Kick-Ass)
    Motherboard
    Asus Z97A, AR
    Memory
    GSkill 32 GB DDR 3
    Graphics Card(s)
    Asus Radeon R9 390X Kick Ass Graphics Card
    Sound Card
    Sound Blaster X-Fi Titanium PCIe
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Samsung SyncMaster 275+
    Screen Resolution
    1920*1200
    Hard Drives
    Kick Ass Drives:

    Western Digital Caviar BLACK 3TB, 6TB Drive
    Plextor M.2 PCIe SS Drive - Really Kick Ass
    PSU
    PowerMax 1200W PSU, CoolerMaster Smart 750W PS
    Case
    Fractal Design Define R4, R5
    Cooling
    Noctua D15 for the CPU, Cougar for the Case
    Keyboard
    Kick-Ass Genuine IBM Keyboard
    Mouse
    Logitech Trackman Optical Mouse
    Internet Speed
    150Mb Bandwith
    Browser
    IE 11
    Antivirus
    McAfee
    Other Info
    No Overclocking
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