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

 

[whs]

Your post indicates that MBR is still in the system partition. This means that I need to be careful when I make the image backup; not to make the partition C as active and not to replace the MBR when restore the image

Yes, this is important to remember. And whether the little partition is called system partition or not, it is the active partition that contains the boot record and you must NOT instruct the image restore to replace the MBR.

 

[daj01jka]

Need some help with an external dynamic disk

Hi guys,

I have read the post and it looks to have many answers, yet I seemed to not find what I was looking for!

I have an dynamic hard drive that I used to have in a desktop computer. The computer crashed (not due to the hard drive) and I want to be able to get access to the data on the dynamic disk.

I got an external hard drive case for the hard drive, but I run into the classic problem of not being able to access it in Windows 7. Any advice on how I can accomplish this?

I just need to be able to get the data of the drive - I can copy all the files unto another hard drive to do that.

Any advice or help would be deeply appreciated!

Thank you!

 

[Jonathan_King]

Hi guys,

I have read the post and it looks to have many answers, yet I seemed to not find what I was looking for!

I have an dynamic hard drive that I used to have in a desktop computer. The computer crashed (not due to the hard drive) and I want to be able to get access to the data on the dynamic disk.

I got an external hard drive case for the hard drive, but I run into the classic problem of not being able to access it in Windows 7. Any advice on how I can accomplish this?

I just need to be able to get the data of the drive - I can copy all the files unto another hard drive to do that.

Any advice or help would be deeply appreciated!

Thank you!

Hello,

You will need to use a third-party tool, such as Partition Wizard 4.2.

4.2 is no longer available, and the updated version removes the ability for free users. Here is a copy of 4.2 though:

 

[daj01jka]

Thank you for you help and sorry about the delay in my response!

I worked great and I was able to recover the whole disk

Cheers,
Jonas

 

[Jonathan_King]

Thanks for the report.

Glad it worked so well!

 

[mjf]

Possible alternatives which retain user data

As for any method:
Backup personal files/folders & Image all partitions
These Two methods use Partition Wizard 5.2 and don't rely on earlier versions.
Method 1 - Change Partition Type ID
In the MBR (first 512 bytes of the HDD) towards the end of the partition table are 4 bytes which define the "Partition Type ID"
In Hex
0x07 - defines a basic partition (primary/logical)
0x42 - defines a dynamic extended partition
Reference
Here is the MBR for my PC

The 4 partition type IDs have been highlighted.
0x27 - Primary hidden partition (my factory recovery)
0x07 - 2nd primary partition (100MB system Reserved)
0x07 - 3rd primary partition (Boot, OS)
0x07 - 4th primary partition (Data)

Step 1 - Open a Hex Editor (such as HxD)
Step 2 - Select the partition entries corresponding to the type ID showing 0x42
Step 3 - Change 0x42 to 0x07.
Step 4 - Repeat for each partition up to 4.
Step 5 - Save changes in hex editor
Step 6 - Open Partition Wizard and observe partition structure
step 7 - If partitions appear deleted, use the Partition Recovery Wizard to recover deleted partitions.
step 8 - Run a "Check File System" on each partition.
step 9 - Close Partition Wizard and reboot PC.

Method 2 - Delete and Recover
Step 1 - Open Partition Wizard
Step 2 - Delete all Dynamic partitions to unallocated
Step 3 - Use the Partition Recovery Wizard to recover deleted partitions
Step 4 - Apply changes
Step 5 - Convert partitions to primary as required & apply changes
Step 6 - Close Partition Wizard and reboot PC

The general approaches have been discussed at this Reference 2

 

[Brink]

Thank you Michael. I believe I will only add Method 2 later tonight since it would be the easiest way.

 

[Brink]

All done Michael. I have added this as OPTION THREE in the tutorial to convert a dynamic disk to a primary disk without losing the data on it.

 

[mjf]

It looks good Shawn. You added very detailed detailed easy to follow set of instructions.

 

[Brink]

Thank you. I do try to be thorough.

 

[tortdog]

I tried doing this using the 4th option in the first post. I deleted the partition on the 2d dynamic disk successfully. Windows Disk Management shows the disk as unallocated. When I tried running the Wizard in the Partition Recovery Wizard in Partition Wizard Home Edition, the 2d drive shows up as Dynamic, not Unallocated. I am guessing that's why I cannot run the wizard on this disk. When I try, the option to click "next" is grayed out to initiate the wizard.

Am I right that the reason the Wizard won't run is because PW Home Edition doesn't think this 2d disk is unallocated? Anyway to force this through?

If not, how could it get this done manually. Thoughts?

 

[SIW2]

You need the PW Pro version , or similar from Paragon , or get the earlier free PW4.2 from somewhere.

Otherwise, you can use a hex editor - not a concern if you have no data on there.

 

[whs]

Get PW 4.2 from here: Download Partition Wizard Enterprise Edition 4.2.2 Free Trial - A powerful partion manager program - Softpedia

 

[SIW2]

That's a demo version - dunno if it will do the job.

Burn this to cd as an image , boot it - that should do the job

 

[tortdog]

I have 4.2. But when I bring it up it shows the deleted dynamic disk as still being dynamic, not unallocated. I can't run any options on the drive. Every option is grayed out.

When I try to run "convert dynamic" using 4.2, it fails. Again, it's as though Windows marked the drive as "unallocated" but 4.2 shows it still formated as "dynamic".

Okay. Figured it out using TestDisk. I ran the program, did a quick search on the deleted partition. TestDisk analyzed correctly and reconfigured to a primary (non-bootable) partition. Wrote the partition info to the drive, rebooted, and everything is back. And the system is converted from dynamic.

Thanks for the effort.

 

[SIW2]

glad to hear it.

 

[19cool53]

Hello to all and thanks for this helpfull article that gave me the info needed to convert my disk back to basic.

My opinion to this article is, that the proposed methodes are quite complex, I found an easier way to get this done.

First, get yourself a linux live CD (like Ubuntu, now version 11.0.4). The 32 bit will do. Burn the ISO on a CD.
Start the CD and open a terminal (menu accessoires) and change it to root access by typing:
>>"sudo passwd root" (and type a new root passwd),
>>"su" (in the same window to activate it in root "superuser" mode)

Next, do a
# sfdisk -l
command, and see witch device (most likely /dev/sda) is holding the dynamic disk. You will get a list like this:

Device Boot Start End Blocks Id System
/dev/sda1 * 1 80 642568+ 42 SFS
/dev/sda2 81 160 642600 42 SFS
/dev/sda3 161 243 666697+ 42 SFS
/dev/sda4 161 200 321268+ 42 SFS

You should not have more than 4 primary partitions (this is the limit on a basic disk). You will need to backup and remove them if nescessary.

sda is the first disk, sdb would be the second and so on.
The ID Parameter shows the formatting type of each partitions.

You can get a list of ID types with the command

# sfdisk -T

Change each Partition type with command:
# sfdisk --change-id /dev/sda 1 7 (partition = 1, type = 07 for NTFS)
# sfdisk --change-id /dev/sda 2 7
# sfdisk --change-id /dev/sda 3 7
# sfdisk --change-id /dev/sda 4 b (partition = 4, type = 0b for FAT32)

Last line because I had a FAT32 partition on my disk.

again, type
# sfdisk -l

Device Boot Start End Blocks Id System
/dev/sda1 * 1 80 642568+ 07 HTFS/NTFS
/dev/sda2 81 160 642600 07 HTFS/NTFS
/dev/sda3 161 243 666697+ 07 HTFS/NTFS
/dev/sda4 161 200 321268+ 0b W95/FAT32


Well. that's all.
Reboot the PC, start windows and check the Disk Configuration to see it really changed to basic without deleting and restoring partitions and data.

In the terminal window, you can get some help with the command
# man sfdisk

Hope this is simple enough

 

[helpmypc]

thank you to the maker of the guide!!

 

[Brink]

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

 

[mjf]

@19cool53
This is really doing what a hex editor is doing just via the linux OS.
But a useful alternative for linux fans.