Samsung Data Migration MBR to GPT Cloning (without Data Loss)

Samsung Data Migration MBR to GPT not working? Don’t worry, and this article will show you 2 effective methods, e.g., using built-in MBR2GPT tool or 3rd-party cloning software(one-click done).

Ivy

By Ivy Updated on May 22, 2025

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Samsung SSD Is MBR and I Can't Fix It

"Hi guys. I first want to say that I am not very tech savvy but I'll do my best to explain my issue. I got a Samsung 870 qvo 1tb ssd the other day. Transferred the data from my old hdd with Samsung data migration in Acer Aspire 3Windows 10but couldn't boot from the ssd afterwards. Bios also couldn't see it, although Disk manager did.

After hours of struggling to find the issue, I took a closer look at both drives and while my hdd is gpt, the Samsung ssd is mdr. Changed uefi to legacy in bios and sure enough it was visible. I tried reformatting the ssd and migrating the data again but got the same results. Reformatted once again and migrated only the partition that has the OS on it. Still MDR. Is there any solution for this? I'd like to keep UEFI and have the ssd as GPT, rather than having to switch to legacy in Bios. Thank you!"

Is Samsung Data Migration MBR to GPT Cloning Working?

⌛ Short answer: Samsung Data Migration MBR to GPT cloning is not working! While Samsung Data Migration claims to support both MBR and GPT disks, it works best for cloning MBR to MBR or GPT to GPT. Note that it will clone the data and partition style if the Samsung SSD is new.

Microsoft provides users with a built-in MBR2GPT tool(free, built into Windows 10/11) to manually convert MBR to GPT. However, it only works for the current system disk. So you’d better reinstall Windows from the MBR disk and then convert the disk in the recovery environment. If you convert MBR to GPT after cloning, it will be cumbersome and likely to fail.

  • mbr2gpt /validate /disk:0
  • mbr2gpt /convert /disk:0

MBR2GPT Convert

In addition, you may also want to try Disk Management or DiskPart. However, both of them can only convert an MBR disk to GPT if the disk is empty, and if you try, you'll get some error messages. It means you can’t do this.

Thus, they are not a wise choice. We would highly recommend using hassle-free Samsung SSD cloning software like AOMEI Cloner to clone and convert MBR to GPT during cloning.

AOMEI Cloner

A reliable cloning software to easily clone system disk from GPT to MBR and MBR to GPT without converting the partition style manually. Learn More >>

[Fixed] Samsung Data Migration MBR to GPT Cloning Not Working

Microsoft provides some tools for converting MBR disks to GPT or vice versa, but they have some limitations, making the whole process complicated or impossible to implement. As a result, Samsung Data Migration MBR to GPT cloning is not working.

Then, how to start Samsung Data Migration MBR to GPT cloning without losing data? Here we’ll introduce you to hassle-free Samsung SSD cloning software - AOMEI Cloner and how to clone and convert MBR to GPT disk during cloning.

What Do You Need?

  • #1: Check the used space of the original drive. You need to be sure it’s smaller than or equal to the target SSD drive.
  • #2: Prepare an SATA or M.2 adapter or enclosure (if you are using laptops). This depends on which disk interface the target drive uses.
  • #3: Download reliable and hassle-free SSD cloning software - AOMEI Cloner.

With the Disk Clone feature, you can clone the entire disk, from MBR to GPT or GPT to MBR, including the operating system, system files, EFI or system reserved partition, etc., required to start Windows. The installed programs and all data are there. So you don’t lose any data.

AOMEI Cloner
Powerful Samsung SSD Cloning Software 
  • Bootable clone - clone HDDs/SSDs and MBR/GPT system disks with secure boot.
  • Intelligent clone (default) - only clones the used sectors of a drive, making it easier to clone large HDD to smaller SSD.
  • Edit partitions - resize partition size on the destination disk and convert disk partition styles, from MBR to GPT, or vice versa.
  • SSD alignment - align SSDs with 4k technology to improve performance and longevity.
  • Disk compatibility - compatible with all series of Samsung SSD, such as 870 EVO, 980, 990, 990 PRO, etc., as well as other disk brands.
  • OS supported - Windows 7, 8, 10, 11, and Servers.

How to Clone and Convert MBR to GPT Disk without SDM (Bootable)

Step 1. Open AOMEI Cloner after installing, click Clone -> Disk Clone subsequently.

disk clone

Step 2. You will be asked to select the source disk and destination disk. Select the current system disk and Samsung SSD, and then click Next after each selection.

Note that the existing partitions on the destination disk will be overwritten or deleted. Please be careful and don’t mix them.

select the source disk

Step 3(Important). Click Edit Partitions and check the option "Convert the destination disk from MBR to GPT". It will take care of the disk partition style during cloning. At last, click Start Clone.

Edit Partitions

By default, this software will enable the intelligent clone feature to clone only the used sectors of a drive, saving much time and effort. 

🌈💕You can also enjoy the following options:

  • If the Samsung SSD is larger, click "Add unused space to all partitions” or "Manually adjust partition size”. This will avoid cloned hard drive shows wrong size.
  • Be sure to check the SSD Alignment feature to improve performance and longevity. Otherwise, the SSD may slow down after cloning.

After cloning, you need to swap both drives to test if the cloned SSD drive is bootable. Note: Windows will not allow you to boot from USB external drive, even if it’s connected through an adapter or enclosure.

Closing Words

Samsung Data Migration can’t support MBR to GPT cloning. Thus, some users want to convert MBR disk to GPT manually using MBR2GPT tool, Disk Management, etc., but they all have some limitations, making the process complicated or impossible to implement.

If you want to clone GPT disk to MBR without converting manually, it’s wise to use a reliable and hassle-free SSD cloning software - AOMEI Cloner. It integrates the feature to convert disk from MBR to GPT or GPT to MBR automatically, as well as handle other cloning issues.

👇 FREE Download it to have a try! Please share it with your friends if it's helpful.

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Ivy
Ivy · Editor
Ivy, our dedicated editor at AOMEI Technology, is committed to providing valuable insights and guidance in data protection. Her mission is to empower everyone with her knowledge of computer backup and recovery, disk cloning, file synchronization, and more. Ivy's goal is to do her best to ensure your digital world remains safe and secure.