Windows 7 - Partition - Mark as Inactive

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How to Mark a Partition as Inactive in Windows 7 and Vista

Information

Marking a partition as active on a basic disk means that the computer will use the loader (an operating system tool) on that partition to start the operating system. Marking a partition as active if it doesn't contain the loader for an operating system may cause your computer to become unbootable.

This tutorial will show you how to mark a partition as inactive in Windows 7 and Vista in case you marked it as active by mistake.

EXAMPLE: Partition Marked as Active and Inactive
NOTE: This is an example of my D: data partition shown as active by mistake in Disk Management (diskmgmt.msc). I used the steps in this tutorial to mark it as inactive since my System Reserved partition is my true active partition instead.

Here's How:

1. Open a elevated command prompt, or a command prompt at boot.

2. In the command prompt, type diskpart and press Enter. (see screenshot below step 6)

3. In the command prompt, type list volume and press Enter. (see screenshot below step 6)
NOTE: Make note of the volume number or letter that you wanted to mark as inactive. At boot, the drive letters may not be the same as they are in Windows.

4. In the command prompt, type select volume # or select volume letter and press Enter. (see screenshot below step 6)
NOTE: You would substitute # for the volume number listed, or letter for the volume/partition letter. For example, I want to mark my D: partition as inactive, so I would type either select volume 2 or select volume D and press Enter.

5. In the command prompt, type inactive and press Enter. (see screenshot below step 6)

6. In the command prompt, type exit and press Enter. (see screenshot below)

7. Close the elevated command prompt in Windows, or restart the computer if at boot.

That's it,
Shawn

Windows 7 - Partition - Mark as Inactive

Partition - Mark as Inactive

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