GPT Main Structure
GPT has a more complex structure than MBR, with several key components:
1. Primary GPT Header
- Located at LBA 1 (Logical Block Address 1).
- Contains information about the disk, including the location and number of partitions.
- It has CRC32 checksum, which is used to verify the integrity of the data.
2. Partition Table
- Store partition entries that can contain up to 128 partitions in a single disk.
- Each entry has a unique GUID to identify the partition type (e.g., Windows, Linux, macOS).
3. Backup GPT Header
- Located at the end of the disk as a backup from Primary GPT Header.
- It serves as a recovery mechanism if Primary GPT Header is damaged or corrupted.
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Advantages and Disadvantages of GPT
Advantages of GPT
- GPT is capable of managing very large disk capacities, up to 9.4Â ZB (Zettabyte).
- In contrast to MBR, which can only accommodate 4 primary partitions.
- GPT stores a copy of the header and partition table at the beginning and end of the disk to reduce the risk of data loss due to corruption.
- It uses CRC32 checksum to detect data corruption and enable automatic recovery.
- It can be used on Windows 10/11, macOS, and Linux without any problems.
Disadvantages of GPT
It cannot be used on systems that are still using Legacy BIOS without performing conversion or compatibility mode.
Older operating systems do not recognize GPT, so disks must be converted to MBR to be usable.
Converting MBR to GPT requires reformatting, except using third-party software that supports conversion without data loss.
MBR vs GPT Comparison: Which One to Choose?
Here are the main comparisons between MBR and GPT in the form of a table:
| Aspects | MBR (Master Boot Record) | GPT (GUID Partition Table) |
| Maximum Partition Size | 2TB | More than 2TB (up to 9.4 ZB) |
| Maximum Number of Partitions | 4 Primary Partitions or 3 Primary + 1 Extended | 128 Partitions |
| Legacy OS compatibility | Yes (Windows XP, 7, older versions of Linux) | Not all support (Windows XP does not support GPT) |
| BIOS Compatibility | Legacy BIOS | UEFI |
| Data Security | No redundancy mechanism | There are header backups and checksums to prevent data corruption |
| Boot Performance | Slower on modern systems | Faster with UEFI Fast Boot |
When to Choose MBR?
- If you are using an older operating system such as Windows XP or Windows 7 (32-bit) that does not support GPT.
- If the disk capacity is less than 2TB, because MBR is enough for these needs.
- If your device is using Legacy BIOS and doesn’t support UEFI.
When to Choose GPT?
- If you are using the latest operating system such as Windows 10/11, the latest macOS, or a modern Linux distribution that supports GPT.
- If you want to use a storage capacity of more than 2TB, because GPT does not have partition size limitations like MBR.
- If your device uses UEFI BIOS, which offers faster booting, secure, and additional features like Secure Boot.
- If you prioritize data security, because GPT provides redundancy and checksum mechanisms to prevent data corruption.