Convert a Dynamic Disk to a Basic Disk

How to Convert a Dynamic Disk to a Basic Disk​

   Information

A disk is a separate physical hard drive. This will show you how to convert a dynamic, also known as "software RAID", disk to a basic disk in Windows Disk Manager or in a command prompt. By default Windows uses Basic disks.

Basic and dynamic disks both support using MBR and GPT partition (volume) styles.

For more detailed information on basic and dynamic disks, see: Basic and Dynamic Disks (Windows)

   Note

Differences Between Basic and Dynamic Disks:

• Basic disks are supported (readable) by all Windows operating systems since MS-DOS.
  • Dynamic disks are only supported (readable) by Windows 2000, XP Professional, Windows Server 2003, Vista Ultimate, Vista Enterprise, Windows 7, and Windows Server 2008.
• Basic disks can have up to 128 GPT primary partitions, or 4 MBR primary partitions or 3 MBR primary partitions and 1 extended partition with up to 128 logical volumes in the extended partition.
  • Dynamic disks can have up to 2000 dynamic volumes that function like a primary partition used in basic disks.
• Basic disks cannot share or split data with other primary or logical partitions, or basic disks. Each partitiion on a basic disk is treated as if it was a separate hard disk on the basic disk.
  • Separate dynamic disks can be combined into a single dynamic volume (spanning), split data among several dynamic disks (striping) for increased performance, or duplicate data among several dynamic disks (mirroring) for increased reliability.
• Hard disks are basic disks by default, including removable disks and disks on a laptop (notepad).
  • Removable disks cannot be converted to a dynamic disk.

   Warning

VERY IMPORTANT, PLEASE READ THIS FIRST.

• You must be logged in as an administrator to do this inside Windows.
• Before you convert a dynamic disk to a basic disk, be sure to backup anything that you do not want to lose on that dynamic disk. Converting the dynamic disk back to a basic disk using either OPTION 3-5 below requires that all dynamic volumes are deleted on the disk first.
• See OPTION ONE or OPTION TWO below if you wanted to be able to convert a dynamic disk back to a basic disk without losing the data on it.
• If you disable the Disk Defragmenter service, then you will get the error below when you try to do anything in Disk Management. If you get this error, then make sure that the Disk Defragmenter service is set to only Manual.

OPTION ONE

Convert Dynamic Disk to Basic Disk using "Partition Wizard 4.2 Free"

:warn:WARNING: Even though you will not lose the data on the dynamic disk when you use this option to convert the dynamic disk back to a basic disk, be sure to backup any data on the dynamic disk that you wish to keep first just to be safe in case something happens. Say a power outage while in the middle of converting the disk.1. Do step 2 or 3 below depending on what you are able to do.

2. To Use Partition Wizard 4.2 Free at Boot
NOTE: This option can be helpful if you are unable to startup Windows if your Windows disk was made dynamic.A) Download "pwhe42.iso" file here to your desktop.
NOTE: It will take a moment for the download option to automatically appear at the link.

B) Create either a bootable CD/DVD or USB with the pwhe42.iso file.
NOTE: You could also use a free program like ImgBurn at 4x burn speed to create a bootable CD/DVD with.

C) Boot from the the CD/DVD or USB.

D) Convert the dynamic disk to basic like starting at step 3E below.

3. To Use Partition Wizard 4.2 Free in WindowsA) Download the "Partition_Wizard_4.2_free.zip" file here to your desktop.

B) Open the ZIP file, and extract (drag and drop) the PW folder to your desktop.

C) Open the PW folder, and run the PWIZ.exe file.

D) Click on No for the new version avialable update. (see screenshot below)

E) Right click on the Disk # (ex: Disk 1) of the dynamic disk you want to convert, then click on Convert Dynamic Disk to Basic Disk. (see screenshot below)

F) Click on OK. (see screenshot below)

G) Click on the blue Apply check mark toolbar button at the top left corner, and click on Yes. (see screenshot below)

H) If prompted to restart, click on Restart Now. (see screenshot below)
NOTE: This is normal if the dynamic disk you wanted to convert to basic is the disk that the currently running Windows is installed on.


4. When finished, the selected dynamic disc will now be converted to a basic disk without losing any data on it.

OPTION TWO

To Convert Dynamic Disk to Basic Disk using Disk Management

:warn:WARNING: Be sure to read the red WARNING box above. You will lose all data on the dynamic disk using this option.1. Open the Control Panel (icons view), and click on the Administrative Tools icon, then close the Control Panel window.

2. Click on Computer Management in Administrative Tools, then close the Administrative Tools window.

3. If prompted by UAC, click on Yes.

4. In the left pane under Storage, click on Disk Management. (See screenshot below)

5. In the dynamic disk (ex: Disk 1) that you want to convert to a basic disk, right click on each volume on the disk and click on Delete Volume until the whole disk is unallocated space. (See screenshot above)
NOTE: If prompted, click on Yes to continue deleting the volume(s).

6. If the disk (ex: Disk 1) that you want to convert to a basic disk is still displayed has being Dynamic (left side under Disk #), then right click on the disk (ex: Disk 1) and click on Convert to Basic Disk if available. (See screenshot below)

7. You can also confirm that the disk is a basic disk if it's displayed has being Basic (left side under Disk #), or if you right click on the disk # and it has Convert to Dynamic Disk instead now. (See screenshot below)

8. You can now create partitions on the now basic disk if you like.

9. When done, close Disk Management.

OPTION THREE

To Convert Dynamic Disk to Basic Disk using "Clean" Command

:warn:WARNING: Be sure to read the red WARNING box above. You will lose all data on the dynamic disk using this option.1. Use the Clean command in the tutorial below on the dynamic disk that you want to wipe out and convert to be a basic disk.
NOTE: You could also use the Clean all command for this as well, but it will take much longer to do since it also does a secure erase.How to Clean or Clean All a Disk with the Diskpart Command

2. You can now create partitions on the now basic disk if you like.

OPTION FOUR

To Convert Dynamic Disk to Basic Disk using "Delete Volume" Command

:warn:WARNING: Be sure to read the red WARNING box above. You will lose all data on the dynamic disk using this option.1. Open an elevated command prompt, and go to step 3 below.

OR

2. Open a command prompt at boot, and go to step 3 below.

3. In the command prompt, type diskpart and press enter. (See screenshot above)

4. Type list disk and press enter.
NOTE: Make note of the disk number (ex: Disk 1) that you want to convert to a basic disk.

5. Type select disk # and press enter.
NOTE: Substitute # with the actual disk number that you want to convert to a dynamic disk. For example, select disk 1.

6. Type detail disk and press enter.
NOTE: This will give you a list of all the volume numbers on the selected disk number that you will need to delete in steps 7 and 8 below.A) If you do not have any volumes listed, then you can go to step 10.

7. Type select volume # and press enter.
NOTE: Substitute # with a volume number listed in step 6. For example, select volume 3.

8. Type delete volume and press enter.

9. Repeat steps 7 an 8 for each volume # listed in step 6 until you have deleted all volume #'s.

10. When done, type select disk # and press enter.
NOTE: You would use the same one from step 5 above. For example, select disk 1.

11. Type convert basic and press enter.

12. When done, type exit and press enter.

13. Close the command prompt.

14. You can now create partitions on the now basic disk if you like.
NOTE: Restart the computer if you did step 2 instead.

That's it,
Shawn

Related Tutorials

---

• How to Convert a Basic Disk to a Dynamic Disk
• How to Convert a MBR Disk to a GPT Disk
• How to Convert a GPT Disk to a MBR Disk
• How to Convert a FAT or FAT32 Volume to NTFS in Windows 7
• How to Extend a Partition or Volume in Windows 7
• How to Create a New Partition or Volume in Windows 7
• How to Delete a Partition or Volume in Windows 7
• How to Shrink a Partition or Volume in Windows 7
• How to Clean or Clean All a Disk with the Diskpart Command
• How to Quick Format a HDD or USB Drive

 

[Brink]

You're most welcome Rangarox, and welcome to Seven Forums.

 

[grikomsn]

I'm quite afraid.

Hey there,

I accidentally change my only HDD to dynamic, is it safe to convert it to basic like this?

 

[Brink]

Hello grikomsn, and welcome to Seven Forums.

Yes, step 3 in OPTION ONE would be safe to use to convert it back to Basic without losing anything. To be safe, I would still recommend to backup anything that you do not want to lose.

 

[mjf]

Shawn,
In option 3 a link to PW v4.22 ISO for making a boot CD could also be useful for converting your OS HDD.
https://skydrive.live.com/?cid=b0a22789320e3247&id=B0A22789320E3247!215

 

[Brink]

Hello Michael,

If you mean step 2A in OPTION ONE instead, there's already a link for it.

 

[mjf]

Hello Michael,

If you mean step 2A in OPTION ONE instead, there's already a link for it.

I can't read can I.

 

[Brink]

No worries Michael. We all miss things as well.

 

[Malydee]

Hi

Trying to load win 8 on my wife's HP notebook on which all disks are dynamic!!
I have downloaded partition magic and eseus and because they are free, neither of them provide the option to convert a dynamic disc to basic.
I have the paid for paragon disk suite 12 and that also does not provide any solutions to working with dynamic disks.
I would appreciatee any other suggestions.
Many thanks

 

[Brink]

Hello Malydee,

Have you tried OPTION ONE in the tutorial on the first page?

 

[zKs]

Heya,

Trying to use EaseUS, but it says the EFI/MSR partition will be lost if I use that option.

What do I do now? =o

The thing is, I have a laptop that came with a 1TB hdd with windows on it, and a 16GB caching SSD. I have swapped the caching SSD out for a 256GB SSD, and have succesfully installed windows on that. Without really realizing the impact it'd have, when changing the partitions on the 1TB hdd, I changed it to a dynamic disk. I want to change it back, but without losing ANY data. Here's a screenshot:

 

[Malydee]

Converting dynamic disk

option 1 resolved the problem.
Thanks

 

[afifa]

stuck on step 2b

Hey , I am stuck on step 2b of option one, when I am trying to create bootable USB using window 7 USB/DVD download tool, with my sis laptop coz my window is not even starting after all the drives became dynamic. I tried to reinstall window but it is not hasppening .
so when I try to upload "pwhe42.iso that is zip file " I got the message" selected file is not a valid ISO file . please select a valid ISO file and try again"band when in unzip the file boot folder is extracted but in that folder there is no .is file. What should I do now???
Please try to reply soon.

 

[Brink]

Hello Afifa, and welcome to Seven Forums.

The pwhe42.iso file may not have been completely downloaded or was corrupted. It should be 38.8 MB in size. You may need to download a new copy.

Hope this helps,
Shawn

 

[afifa]

Well I hv downloaded it multiple times . it is fully downloaded always 38.8 mb...so now what should I do???

 

[Brink]

In that case, try using the ImgBurn program instead.

 

[afifa]

tried that . still no. when its booting using usb , it said no operating system found

 

[Brink]

Afifa,

If there's nothing (including all partitions) you want to keep on the hard drive that Windows is installed on, you could use OPTION FOUR to run a "clean" command at boot to wipe the drive completely clean, then use OPTION TWO in the tutorial below at boot to create a new partition on the drive. Afterwards, see if you are able to install Windows on the drive.

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/2674-partition-volume-create-new.html

 

[dotxzer0]

Disk management tool is junk and dangerous for most users. M$ should just remove it from the OS package. Creating a partition ends up converting my basic disk to dynamic disk. Splitting my hard drive ends up putting my partitions in the wrong order. No way I can see the results before they are applied.

 

[Brink]

Hello dotxzero, and welcome to Seven Forums.

Disk Management is a good tool for basic stuff as it was intended. If Microsoft included a more advanced version with more features, then all the 3rd party Disk Management type program publishers/developers would most likely file an unfair antitrust lawsuit against Microsoft.

However, Disk Management does give you a warning for you to click on Yes/No before it actually converts the disk to dynamic. If you click on Yes without reading or understanding the warning, then you really have no one to blame but yourself. Luckily, this tutorial is able to help in such cases without much issue.

 

[dotxzer0]

Actually, I would blame this junk application, it's poorly coded and not user-friendly at all. Please tell me, creating a new partition and converting a whole hard drive to dynamic are related in any way? Two different actions to perform on the hard drive, right? This program brings both action together and mislead the user into thinking it's a required step. I've never had this problem with GParted, Easeus, or other partition programs.