Print an Expertek Tip: Handling GPT Partitions

What to do when you encounter a HD with GPT partitions.

This problem occurs sometimes when a used drive has been installed and the partition happens to be set to GPT (Protected). Windows won't let you install to it, and you cannot remove the partition using disk manager in windows.

This guide assumes you have connected the drive internally in your PC as a secondary drive, for additional storage, or temporarily, using an external data cable, if you intend to use it as a boot disk in another system.

DISCLAIMER: THESE STEPS WILL PERMANENTLY REMOVE THE PARTITION AND ALL DATA, CONVERTING IT TO MBR PARTITION TYPE SO YOU CAN USE IT. (This set of steps is safe, deviation is not. for a complete list of commands, press ? and press ENTER. To quit type exit and press ENTER.)

FIRST: Go to DOS command line (To open a DOS Prompt, click on Start Menu, then click on Run (Or press Win+R), then type in 'cmd' in the little text area, and click OK)

1. Type in 'DiskPart' where the cursor is blinking and press ENTER.
2. Type in 'list disk' and press ENTER. You will see all the disks in this PC.
3. Type 'select disk x' (where x is the number of the Drive with the GPT partition; verify be looking at the size of the disk.) and press ENTER to set the focus to the specified partition, (You will probably use 'select disk 1'. (press ENTER - it should show you have selected the disk) Caution! Disk 0 is your C-Drive, so be very careful!
4. Type 'clean' and press ENTER to remove the GPT partition from the current in-focus disk, and convert it to MBR. After a few seconds it should show all is well.
5. Type 'exit' and press ENTER to close the DOS window.

Back in Disk Management, you should see your secondary disk is now unallocated. Right click on disk info, choose Initialize Disk. Format as needed.