Windows 7/Vista with 64-bit Windows only, Win 8/10/11 by default, macOS by default Works with any Windows version, no support for macOS Quick Recap of MBR Versus GPT MBR Partition Scheme Lastly, bootup is usually faster with GPT and UEFI. Other than the differences between MBR and GPT mentioned above, GPT can use newer device technologies, and it’s compatible with BIOS/MBR functions for backward compatibility of older, non-UEFI devices. The GUID consists of details on drives, partitions, storage sizes, boot information, and other essential data related to boot and functionality. The data stored in the GPT header includes drive information in the form of a GUID partition table. MBR Partition Schemeīoot sector location for MBR GPT Partition Scheme Therefore, on GPT, boot information gets stored on LBA 1 while it reserves LBA 0 for MBR compatibility. In GPT technical terms, MBR sector #1 (LBA 1) becomes LBA 0 when using GPT, and GPT becomes sector 1 (LBA 1). However, GPT uses sector two because sector one gets reserved for MBR and BIOS compatibility. GPT uses UEFI firmware versus the BIOS used in MBR, and it also stores disk information, such as partitions, sizes, and other essential data, just like MBR does in sector one. Just like MBR, it also manages the creation and organization of partitions on the SSD/HDD. Next, the MBR activates the drive’s boot sector to launch the OS.
The PC’s/motherboard’s basic input/output system (BIOS) looks for the device with an MBR, and then it executes the volume boot code from the partition that has it, which is often the “C:” drive.
It also provides proper PC functionality and security protocol for all read/write data transactions. This identifier ensures that the correct drive and partition reads and writes data using several disks. Disk signature: Every drive needs a unique identifier, which gets created in the form of a signature.Master boot code: Sometimes abbreviated as MBC, the code executes the launch of the operating system and manages the configuration for the bootup process (to confirm any changes), such as detecting drives, calculating RAM (external), detecting displays, and other essential device and configuration information.
The MPT provides all that essential information. For the OS and the PC to function correctly, they need a record of HDD partitions and sizes plus a way to identify the bootable, active partitions. Master partition table: Abbreviated as MPT, the table stores all partition information found on each SSD/HDD, including their format type, capacity, and other necessary details.The MBR data stored in LBA 1 of the HDD includes the following: