Security Study of MBR2GPT Conversion in Windows System

The MBR2GPT conversion tool, also known as MBR2GPT.exe, converts a disk from the Master Boot Record (MBR) format to the GUID Partition Table (GPT) partition style without modifying or deleting data on the disk. The tool normally runs from the Windows Preinstallation Environment (Windows PE) command prompt but can also be executed from the full Windows operating system (OS) by using the /allowFullOS option. This process is useful when switching from legacy BIOS to UEFI boot mode. However, the conversion also introduces potential security and integrity concerns. This paper discusses the main security implications of using MBR2GPT, possible attack surfaces, and best practices to reduce risks.