If WIndows 7 supports GPT, why can't I install the OS on GPT?

I believe this asks the question. Both Vista SVCPK 1 and OS7 claim to support GPT partitioned hard disks, but neither Beta or RC will allow you to install on or create a GPT partition, so does that really mean GPT cannot be used to install the OS?

Hello and Welcome to the Windows7 Forums.

Although this is totally new to me, I did some searches and understand it, however can you provide a link that shows its supported under Vista SP1 and Windows 7?

I did locate info regarding it's use under Windows Server 2008 and I think that's the closest match you'll find

How to set up dynamic boot partition mirroring on GUID partition table (GPT) disks in Windows Server 2008

For Vista, I am running GNU which emulates EFI. But no go, Vista wants an MBR to install on so does Windows 7 RC. I am hoping that Windows 7 would remove this limitation. Also, Windows 7 creates two partitions, one boot partition, the other system file partition, that limits the user to a maximum of 2 additional partitions under the MBR partition scheme. This is very limiting on 2GB hard drives where most users will want at least 4 partitions, not one giant one. GPT gives you up to 128 partition capability.
Windows and GPT FAQ: Version 1.1

"16. Can Windows Vista and Windows Server 2008 read, write, and boot from GPT disks?
Yes, all versions can use GPT partitioned disks for data. Booting is only supported for EFI-based systems. "

Yes, I read that FAQ as well.

So you don't have an Itanium-based computer, correct?

Here's one thing that might help:
How to Avoid 200MB Hidden System Partition From Been Created During Windows 7 Installation

I guess we can skip all of the above, as I have just tested on Windows 7. I already had 3 partitions, I shrank 1, and started creating new simple volumes. I know have 10 partitions on the hard drive. I'm sure I could have created smaller partitions and who knows what the limit would be. They all show up in Windows Explorer and I was able to copy directories to each of the new partitions.

That should be enough, shouldn't it?

I am truly disappointed if Windows 7 has no plans to break the 4 partition MBR boundary. This limitation will come up again and again as drives become larger. It's just like when FAT had a 32GB limit until NTFS. I truly see this as a needless limiting constraint and disappointing from a new OS evaluation perspective. MBR has been around since 1982, time to let it go and embrace a partition scheme that supports todays and tomorrows increasing data storage requirements.

Hi.
This is my first post in here. I am really not that great with computers so I hope so of you have the time to help me out here.
I am currently using windows 7 (7100 I think) and I want to make a new install of windows 7 (7127). Now when I tried to install it I got a message telling me it is not possible because I need a GPT disk, and apperently what I got is MBR. I currently have two partations, one where windows is installed, and the other one with some important files (according to what I read at some other forum). Now I am lost! I guess I can't change it as windows is running. So what is my options? Can I create a new one? Or some other options? Anyone

No one has any idea what to do?

I am dealing with over 10TB of storage trying to set up a RAID-10 and or some combination thereof. It was an extreme annoyance to have Windows 7 on MBR and then put everything else on GPT in weird combinations... It would be great if you could do this, especially for RAID when we are talking about fault tolerance. I now have to rely on several GPT partitions for fault tolerance which is in my mind unacceptable.

A new problem discovered running Solaris and Red Hat Linux development environments, these do not seem to like the wierd MBR partitioning scheme Windows 7 creates and will not install unless it is a MBR that XP, Vista, or Linux created. This is going to be great when I tell my company I now need two laptops. To answer an earlier question, Linux does not require EFI to create GPT partitions and developers are not usually given Itanium blades, let alone server addition for application development. I was initialy very excited but now very disappointed.

To install Windows 7 on GPT is simple; whiloe installing from windows 7 DVD, and you get to the segment that you can create or delete partitions press "shift+F10" this will open a command prompt and you can use diskpart to convert to GPT

While Windows 7 diskpart allows you to format a GPT drive it is intended to format a secondary hard drive. If you format a GPT primary and return to installation, Windows 7 setup will prompt you to reformat the partition NTFS or MBR and Continue Setup remains greyed out until you do.