Reference Guide

Installing Microsoft Windows Server 2008 R2 19
GUID Partition Table Scheme
GUID partition table (GPT) scheme is a new standard for the layout of the
partition table on a physical hard drive. It is part of the extensible firmware
interface (EFI) standard, which is a replacement for the system BIOS.
Table 3 provides information about the basic level of support provided by
each of these partition schemes.
Choosing Between Partition Schemes
The main considerations for choosing between partition schemes are:
•Hard drive size
• Operating system version
• Software tools used in the operating system
The MBR partition scheme is used across all the older versions of Microsoft
operating systems. MBR partitioning scheme supports a volume size smaller
than 2 TB. Use the GPT partition scheme for newer operating systems such as
Windows Server 2008 R2, Windows Server 2008, or Windows Small Business
Server 2008, Windows Small Business Server 2011 and hard drive sizes larger
than 2 TB.
Table 3. Support Level Provided by Partition Schemes
Support MBR Hard
Drive
GPT Hard
Drive
Legacy operating systems like DOS,
Microsoft Windows 98 and so on
Yes No
Hard drive size of more than 2 TB No Yes
Data hard drive in x86 version of operating systems Yes Yes
Data hard drive in x64 version of operating systems Yes Yes
Boot hard drive in x86 version of operating systems Yes No
Boot hard drive in x64 version of operating systems Yes Yes
More than four primary partitions No Yes
Booting support through BIOS mode Yes No
Booting support through UEFI mode No Yes