Although it is true, the disk partitions of a computer or rather, a partition structure is the one that defines how the information is organized in a certain partition, as well as where these partitions start from and where they end. Which is a very important process when you mount a new storage unit on your computer. This, usually happens with windows operating systemespecially with its widely used versions 7, 8 and 10.
Which means that surely, if at any time you have made disk partitions or formatted it, you have come across the two main partition structuresthat is, the Master Boot Record or MBR Y GUID Partition Table or GPT. Since, Windows itself gives you the option to select the type of format you want the partition table to have inside. Whereby, It is important to know what each of them refers to. to better handle the use of these partition structures.
In the first instance, MBR has been the most famous partition style for years and until today, It is an ideal option due to its compatibility with various equipment. However, GPT is about a more modern standard and that it works not only with Windows, but also with Linux and Mac OS X. To learn more about this, we have prepared concrete definitions around each partition classits main similarities and differenceslike some tips to know what type of partition is the disk of your computer.
What is MBR (Master Boot Record) disk partition?
To start, we are going to focus on the definition of the best known and oldest disk partition, that is, the MBR or “Main Boot Record”. A) Yes, refers to a disk partition standard that has been on the market for about 36 yearsin view of the fact that it began to function from the year 1983.
However, it is not an obsolete partition, since It’s still totally useful today.. Therefore, it is considered the most famous style of partition tables, especially for its compatibility with the operating systems that are usually handled worldwide.
In this sense, it is essential to take into account its main functionalitieswhich are: store a partition table, provide OS boot via bootstrap either an initial code, set own disk deviceamong others.
For its part, the MBR works as a special boot sector that is located at the beginning of a drive and likewise, has included a bootloader installed for the operating system and all the information regarding the logical partitions of the unit.
Thus, it is appropriate to understand that bootloader refers to small code (the initial code that we already mentioned) and is the one that deals with load largest bootloader targeting another partition on a drive.
In the case of Windows, the initial bits of the bootloader reside in that sector and because of this, if the MBR is overwritten, Windows will not be able to run and it is mandatory to repair it. Now, in reference to those who Have the Linux operating system installedthe GRUB bootloader will be located in the MBRso this is essential.
On the other hand, the MBR It also has some drawbacks or limitations. that logically, it is essential to know. So the most important ones are: this disk partition it only exhibits the ability to handle disks up to 2 TB, only supports four primary partitionsforces use an extended partition to convert the main partitions and it will also ask you create logical partitions within this.
What is GPT (GUID Partition Table) Partition?
As we indicated at the beginning of the post, this GPT partition is newer and basically refers to the GUID partition table that it is about. a style for the placement of the partition table on a physical hard drive of a computer that works in conjunction with any operating system.
In addition, it is necessary to highlight that arose a few years ago as a proposal from Intel with the purpose of replace the MBR or Master Boot Record, which is used with the system BIOS. In order to do so, displace the most notable limitations that this class of partition shows.
Indeed, GPT works by using globally unique identifiers for by means of that, to face the partitions and in order to perfectly substitute the other alternative, GPT contains a protective MBR to allow older PCs to run in reference to partition management.
Added to it, GPT adds two major features that position it as an ideal solution on the issue of disk partitions. The first is that no partition or size limits, so the only ones that can condition the process would be the operating systems themselves. Now, its other significant feature, It is about the great reliability that guarantees because it generates redundant copies throughout the entire hard drive.
For its part, this class of partition reveals several special advantages, such as: supports disks up to 256TB in a single partitionhas the ability to resist 128 primary partitionsmakes use of “Extensible Firmware Interface” or EFI, instead of the standard partition table in the BIOS.
Main differences and similarities between MBR and GPT. Which is better?
To know which is the best option between MBR and GPT, it is necessary to know what are their most notable differences and similarities, in order to choose between any of these alternatives in order to ensure the proper functioning of your equipment. Here are the main ones:
differences
- OS Compatibility: On the one hand, the MBR model being the main current of partitions specified to hard disk drives, supports the vast majority of operating systems. Nevertheless, new systems are those that make use of GPT (Windows Vista, Windows 7, Windows 8, Windows 10, Linux, etc.) but the old models do not support this kind of partition, such as Windows XP. Because it is only possible on 64-bit operating systems.
- hard drive capacity: The old MBR only has the ability to handle up to 2 terabytes of data or less of it. On the other hand, the GPT has a greater advantage around this aspect, since it can hold up to 256 terabytes.
- Definition of primary partitions: The MBR just allows you to define four primary partitions but, the GPT increases this number up to 128 primary partitionswhich in theory is practically an unlimited number of partitions.
- boot function: While the MBR has a boot function in any operating systemGPT does not include this feature.
- Boot option for operating system: This is another of the main distinctions, since MBR is used from the BIOS as a boot option for the operating system and GPT, instead, is used from the UEFI.
similarities
- Of course, the first of them to highlight is that both are models of hard drive physical device partitions.
- At present, these two types of partition they are widely used.
- Both MBR and GPT are supported by various versions of Windows.
- Both styles are capable of create and manage hard drive partition tables efficiently.
Now, to know which is the best selection, this depends on your specific case. Since, first hand we can ratify that GPT is much better than MBRthanks to It is a more modern and robust alternative, since it exhibits fewer limitations and of course, it has more hard disk capacity and primary definitions.
But, if your team has old systems, it will not be possible to use GPT. Therefore, you have to choose to use the traditional MBR with a BIOS. Instead, if your team allows it (because it’s 64 bit), you can not hesitate to use the GPT style.
How to know if your disk is in MBR or GPT?
Many people are unaware of the procedure to follow to know if the disk of your computer is in MBR or GPTbut fortunately, there are several tactics to find out if a certain disk makes use of one or another partition table.
Next, one of the most used processes for this with its step by step:
- To start, open a cmd window (preferably with administrator permissions) and now, proceed to type the following command: “diskpart”.
- With this, it will begin to load the tool and once it finishes, you have to run the command “listdisk”. Which provides you with a list where you can see all the drives that are connected to your computer in question.
- Once you are on that list, you can see a column with the main name of “GPT”. Thus, all the disks that have an asterisk in said section, are those whoare using this modern partition table
. That’s it. On the other hand, this can also be done from “My Computer” and is estimated asone of the most direct ways to view hard drive properties
.
- The process is this:On your computer, you have to proceed to enter “My PC ” and select with the mouse, a drive. For example,you can do it with drive c
- . When you’re on that drive, right-click and press on the option“Properties
- ”.Subsequently, there will be a label identified as “Hardware ” and there, you have tochoose the hard drive according to the brandlike the choice “Properties
- ”.
To finish, click on the “Volumes” section and this will allow you to observe the partition style that that specific hard drive is using. As you can see, it is very simple.
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