Windows Windows Gaming Tech Talk

[Huntn]

I recently made my PC running Windows 10, Windows 11 Compatible by changing the Boot Drive (C) partition from Master Boot Record (MBR) to GPT (GUID Partition Table) and I turned on Secure Boot. This is supposed to ge a more secure version of Windows, I plan on keeping Windows 10 for now, because by reports it has better gaming performance than W11.

My question: If I have backup images of my C drive made with Macrium Reflect when the drive partition scheme was MBR, for backup purposes, would it be able to to copy an image from the MBR drive to the GPT drive and come out intact? 🤔 Thanks!

I also need to consider if I should do this conversion with my other PC hard drives. MS has a tool called MBR2GPT that is included with Windows. the allows you to make his conversion without losing Data. The process went smooth enough that I would consider doing it to my other drives.

 

[Huntn]

I got my C drive switched over from MBR to GPT and my computer is now Windows 11 compatible and I have Secure Boot enabled. I'm sure you are all highly interested in this. but if anyone is doing this with their PC here my link and my notes.

Converting a Hard drive from MBR (Master Boot Record) to GPT (GUID Partition Table) without losing Data

• Youtube Video: How to Convert MBR to GPT by Britec09

• I performed this on 2Aug24 converting from MBR to GPT.
  • In Admin Account RC on Windows Icon and select disk management
    • Right click on you C drive and select Properties/Volumes- If currently using MBR it will say Partition Style: MBR
    • Note which disk the C drive is. In my case it’s Disk 3. This is important.
  • File Explorer, Open C Drive and open Windows folder/System32 folder/MBR2GPT to make sure it’s installed.
    • Note look for a file not a folder.
  • Open Comand Prompt type CMD in Search window. Run as Administrator.
    • Command Prompt opens and will say System32 where your type.
    • Type in Command: mbr2gpt /validate /disk:3 /allowFullOS
      • I got
        • MBR22GPT: Attempting to validate disk 3
        • MBR22GPT: Retrieving layout of disk
        • MBR22GPT: Validating layout, disk sector size 512 bytes
        • MBR22GPT: Validation completed successfully
    • Type in Command: mbr2gpt /convert /disk:3 /allowFullOS
      • MBR22GPT: Attempting to convert disk 3
      • MBR22GPT: Retrieving layout of disk
      • MBR22GPT: Validating layout, disk sector size is : 512 bytes
      • MBR22GPT: Trying to shrink the OS Partition
      • MBR22GPT: Creating he EFI sysrem partirion
      • MBR22GPT: Insralling the new boot files
      • MBR22GPT: Performing the layout conversion
      • MBR22GPT: Migrating default boot entry
      • MBR22GPT: Adding Recovery boot entry
      • MBR22GPT: Fixing Drive letter mapping
      • MBR22GPT: Conversion completed successfully
      • Call WinRepair repair WinRE
      • MBR22GPT: Failed to update ReAgent.xml, please try ro manually disalr and enablr WinRE.
      • MBR22GPT: Before the new system can boot properly you need to switch the firmware to boot to UEFI mode!
  • Unlike this video said, I did not have to set UEFI as the boot mode.
  • In the video the System Reserve had a Letter number that he removes/hides. I did not have to do this my system reserve drive did not have a drive number.
  • Verify in Disk Management, as before but now it is now GPT (UEFI?).
  • In my Gigabyte BIOS (F12 on start), I had to turn off CSM to see the Secure Boot option, which I turned on.
  • PC Health check now tells me my PC is Win11 compatible. Now I may not rush to upgrade to Win11... 🤔

 

[Huntn]

On my Windows 10 Start a couple of days ago, I was offered a free upgrade to Windows 11 via Updates. Since 10 will no longer be supported after Oct, I decided to pull the trigger. Everything went smoothly, Although I did end up with 4 partitions, where I used to have 2:

• System Reserve
• C Drive
• Recovery partition (New)
• EFI Partition (New- What used to be known as BIOS, that used to be part of System Reserve?
  
  

I was not sure about this so I posted a question at Microsoft and advised this was normal, that although the System Reserve is left over from Win10, it still maybe in use and to keep it...

So I sat down to play a game via GOG, DRM free and when I hit PrtSC the normal button for screen shots in Win10, here I was just being taken back to the desktop, no screen taken.

So:

• Screenshots on Windows 11: https://allthings.how/where-are-screenshots-saved-on-windows-11/
• Take SS of Your Games: https://www.howtogeek.com/340372/how-to-take-screenshots-of-your-pc-games/
  • Steam Game- F12
  • Win+G= screenshot (Found in Gallery?)
  • Geforce- Alt+ F1, See Alt Z (Found in Gallery?)
  • Nvidia Ansel- Alt+ F2 (Found in Gallery?)

 

[Queen6]

3 partitions here

PrtSC still works for me, but I may have reassigned it in the past after I upgraded to W11. Windows Key+Shift+S also works.

Q-6

 

[Huntn]

3 partitions here
View attachment 2407272

PrtSC still works for me, but I may have reassigned it in the past after I upgraded to W11. Windows Key+Shift+S also works.

Q-6

Was told that you can get 4 partitions when you convert a MBR to a GPT Partition. The thing is on the Windows desktop, Win+ PrtSc takes a screenshot, but in game it acts like it’s taking a screen, but I can’t find them if they are being taken. The Gallery is where the screenshots from the other methods end up.

 

[Queen6]

Was told that you can get 4 partitions when you convert a MBR to a GPT Partition. The thing is on the Windows desktop, Win+ PrtSc takes a screenshot, but in game it acts like it’s taking a screen, but I can’t find them if they are being taken. The Gallery is where the screenshots from the other methods end up.

Screenshots should be in the screenshot folder in Pictures. Try checking the accessibility settings

As for the partitions mine has never been converted always GPT, so likely the difference.

Q-6

 

[dmccloud]

I always use the Windows-Shift-S combination to take a screenshot. It works like Command-Shift-4 does on Mac OS. The one thing I don't like about the Windows implementation is that it just takes the screenshot, but does not automatically save it.

 

[Queen6]

I always use the Windows-Shift-S combination to take a screenshot. It works like Command-Shift-4 does on Mac OS. The one thing I don't like about the Windows implementation is that it just takes the screenshot, but does not automatically save it.

Is should do my PC's save the screenshots in the Pictures/Screenshots folder.

If not use Windows+PrtSc

Q-6

 

[Huntn]

I always use the Windows-Shift-S combination to take a screenshot. It works like Command-Shift-4 does on Mac OS. The one thing I don't like about the Windows implementation is that it just takes the screenshot, but does not automatically save it.

Windows 11?
In 10, for Steam games I use F12. Outside of Steam, PrtSc would send a SS to the game folder. Now in Win11 PrtSc returns me to the desktop. Win+Alt+PrtSc seems to be the one step answer. But the Gallery layout is poor.

Is should do my PC's save the screenshots in the Pictures/Screenshots folder.

If not use Windows+PrtSc

Q-6

I found that Win+Alt+PrtSc creates and sends the SS to the Gallery. I’d have to play with it some more, but it looks like Win+G allows you to maybe alter the screen shot. The GeForce and Nvidia methods look like there is room there for altering screenshots too.

Btw I hated the Starfield screenshot methodology. You could not just snap a screen inside the game, although you got a free camera and could do things to recompose the shot.

 

[Queen6]

Windows 11?
In 10, for Steam games I use F12. Outside of Steam, PrtSc would send a SS to the game folder. Now in Win11 PrtSc returns me to the desktop. Win+Alt+PrtSc seems to be the one step answer.


I found that Win+Alt+PrtSc creates and sends the SS to the Gallery. I’d have to play with it some more, but it looks like Win+G allows you to maybe alter the screen shot. Thev GeForce and Nvidia methods look like there is room there for altering screenshots too.

Btw I hated the Starfield screenshot methodology. You could not just snap a screen inside the game, although you got a free camera and could do things to recompose the shot.

Many options in Windows I mostly use the Snipping tool via PrtSc. Works in most games, but some have to the dedicated screenshot button, F12 etc.

Q-6

 

[Huntn]

Many options in Windows I mostly use the Snipping tool via PrtSc. Works in most games, but some have to the dedicated screenshot button, F12 etc.

Q-6

I first noticed in Fallout 4, GOG version. PrtSc by itself just sent me back to the desktop, I did check Accessibility:Keyboard and it’s set up properly.

 

[Queen6]

I first noticed in Fallout 4, GOG version. PrtSc by itself just sent me back to the desktop, I did check Accessibility:Keyboard and it’s set up properly.

Problem being I set it up years ago...

Q-6