[SOLVED] How do I backup before converting my c: drive to GPT

Toggle sidebar Toggle sidebar
Z

zombie1801

Reputable
Jun 24, 2020
27
2
4,535
I need to convert my drive to GPT or else I cant update windows, but I dont know how to backup files. Is it as simple as just copying them to my other drive? And what files do I copy? Can I just copy all the files and paste them into my other drive? I dont really know what im doing here, so I need help.
 
Solution
USAFRet
zombie1801 said:
the macrium reflect program u suggested
Click to expand...
No.

"my backup.xml" is just the instructions for Macrium to actually do it.
Doing the Image" results in a file called <something>.mrimage.

You did not go through the whole process.
You just saved the instructions , not the actual backup image.
Sort by date Sort by votes
zombie1801 said:
I need to convert my drive to GPT or else I cant update windows, but I dont know how to backup files. Is it as simple as just copying them to my other drive? And what files do I copy? Can I just copy all the files and paste them into my other drive? I dont really know what im doing here, so I need help.
Click to expand...
Whoa...slow down.

Why are you needing to convert to GPT?
What are you looking to 'backup'?
What are you going to backup to, and from what?

Details, please.
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
USAFRet said:
Whoa...slow down.

Why are you needing to convert to GPT?
What are you looking to 'backup'?
What are you going to backup to, and from what?

Details, please.
Click to expand...
so I cant update windows because my drive is currently MBR, so I need to convert it to GPT format to update windows 10. I read that it completely deletes all your files on that drive in order to convert it to GPT, so thats why im confused, should I backup the entire drive? if so, how? if not, do i pick and choose which folders I deem important and just copy them all into my other drive?
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
zombie1801 said:
so I cant update windows because my drive is currently MBR, so I need to convert it to GPT format to update windows 10. I read that it completely deletes all your files on that drive in order to convert it to GPT, so thats why im confused, should I backup the entire drive? if so, how? if not, do i pick and choose which folders I deem important and just copy them all into my other drive?
Click to expand...
What, specifically, says you can't update your Windows due to it being MBR and not GPT?

There is an application, direct from MS, that will convert an MBR formatted drive to GPT, with (hopefully) no loss of data.
https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/deployment/mbr-to-gpt

However, you should have a full drive backup image before you start. Just in case things go weird.
And that is not a simple "copy/paste".
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
USAFRet said:
What, specifically, says you can't update your Windows due to it being MBR and not GPT?

There is an application, direct from MS, that will convert an MBR formatted drive to GPT, with (hopefully) no loss of data.
https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/deployment/mbr-to-gpt

However, you should have a full drive backup image before you start. Just in case things go weird.
And that is not a simple "copy/paste".
Click to expand...
it says it cant be installed because my pc has an unsupported disk layout for UEFI firmware. how would i do the full drive backup image
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
zombie1801 said:
this isnt the matter, ive already worked it out with a windows support agent, i just need help with backing up my data please
Click to expand...
I use Macrium Reflect, and do Full/Incremental/Differential backups every night.

What is your backup situation at home?

What is your backup situation at home? And if you don't do that, why not? Every single day, I read multiple threads here of "How do I get my stuff back?" or "That drive had 5 years of photos of my kids!!" Be it a dead drive, dropped phone, virus, accidental deletion, formatting the wrong...
forums.tomshardware.com forums.tomshardware.com


Is that what you need? Dunno.
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
USAFRet said:
I use Macrium Reflect, and do Full/Incremental/Differential backups every night.

What is your backup situation at home?

What is your backup situation at home? And if you don't do that, why not? Every single day, I read multiple threads here of "How do I get my stuff back?" or "That drive had 5 years of photos of my kids!!" Be it a dead drive, dropped phone, virus, accidental deletion, formatting the wrong...
forums.tomshardware.com forums.tomshardware.com


Is that what you need? Dunno.
Click to expand...
so i should download it and just do a full backup of the drive? or is that not gonna work
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
USAFRet said:
How you do it sort of depends on why. And where.

What are you looking to backup?
Do you have a whole other drive space to store this image?

Yes, backups are a very good thing. But the how is dependent on the why and where.
Click to expand...
yes i have another drive that can store the entire copy. i just want to back up everything I wont get back after formatting it. with that said, id be good to go just doing a full image and putting on my other drive? and whats the difference between cloning my disk and imaging it?
 
Last edited:
Upvote 0 Downvote
zombie1801 said:
yes i have another drive that can store the entire copy. i just want to back up everything I wont get back after formatting it. with that said, id be good to go just doing a full image and putting on my other drive? and whats the difference between cloning my disk and imaging it?
Click to expand...
An Image is what you want. Not a full 'clone'.

Cloning is good for changing drives right now. And it consumes the entire target drive.
An Image...you can store it alongside other things on that target drive.
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
USAFRet said:
An Image is what you want. Not a full 'clone'.

Cloning is good for changing drives right now. And it consumes the entire target drive.
An Image...you can store it alongside other things on that target drive.
Click to expand...
alright I created the image, i think. should the image be called "my backup.xml"? what do i do once im done formatting my drive?
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
USAFRet said:
No.

"my backup.xml" is just the instructions for Macrium to actually do it.
Doing the Image" results in a file called <something>.mrimage.

You did not go through the whole process.
You just saved the instructions , not the actual backup image.
Click to expand...
nevermind im an idiot, i unchecked the "run this backup now" by accident
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
You must log in or register to reply here.

TRENDING THREADS

Latest posts

Moderators online

Share this page

COMPANY
RESOURCES
FOLLOW
Top Bottom