{
  "status": "shipping",
  "advantages": [],
  "supersedes": [],
  "supersededBy": [],
  "firstSeen": null,
  "lastSeen": null,
  "updated": "2026-10-21",
  "slug": "partition-type-guid",
  "term": "Partition type GUID",
  "aliases": [
    "GPT partition type"
  ],
  "definition": "A partition type GUID declares a GPT partition's purpose or content class and is distinct from the unique GUID identifying that individual partition.",
  "note": "Partitions of the same declared type can share a type GUID while having different UniquePartitionGUID values. The disk has a separate DiskGUID. A type label does not verify filesystem structures or authenticate their contents. [uefi]\n\nThe util-linux v2.41 sfdisk interface distinguishes --part-type, --part-uuid and --disk-id. Do not confuse a partition UUID with a filesystem's own identifier. When evaluating an acquired image, retain original identifiers as evidence; do not rewrite them merely to make a preservation copy look unique. [sfdisk]",
  "limitations": [
    {
      "text": "UEFI requires new disk and unique partition GUIDs for copied disks put into service; preserve original identifiers in the acquisition evidence and make operational identity changes on a separate copy.",
      "citationIds": [
        "uefi"
      ]
    },
    {
      "text": "Changing the declared type does not convert or repair the data stored in the partition.",
      "citationIds": [
        "sfdisk",
        "uefi"
      ]
    }
  ],
  "related": [
    "guid-partition-table",
    "protective-mbr",
    "partition-alignment"
  ],
  "citations": [
    {
      "id": "uefi",
      "title": "UEFI 2.10, chapter 5: GPT layout, headers and partition entries",
      "url": "https://uefi.org/specs/UEFI/2.10/05_GUID_Partition_Table_Format.html",
      "accessed": "2026-10-21"
    },
    {
      "id": "sfdisk",
      "title": "util-linux v2.41 sfdisk manual: partition type, partition UUID and disk ID",
      "url": "https://github.com/util-linux/util-linux/blob/v2.41/disk-utils/sfdisk.8.adoc",
      "accessed": "2026-10-21"
    }
  ],
  "provenance": [
    "Identifier semantics from UEFI 2.10 and the util-linux v2.41 manual; no partition-editing commands executed."
  ]
}