How to Convert Dynamic Disk to Basic Disk in Windows [2024 Update]

Updated by

Linda 

Written by

Tracy King 

Last updated on April 19, 2024

To convert a dynamic disk to basic, you need to delete all content on the dynamic disk first and then use the built-in tools or Command Prompt in Windows to convert it back to a basic disk. However, with the professional AOMEI Partition Assistant Professional, a dedicated dynamic disk converter, you can easily convert dynamic disk to basic without data loss. Besides, both methods can also help you convert basic disk to dynamic disk if needed.

Convert Dynamic Disk to Basic Disk in Windows Without Losing Data

The following three methods are theoretically lossless, so it's safe to convert dynamic disk to basic disk. However, it's always better to be safe than sorry. Backing up hard drive data before performing any unfamiliar operation is a risk-free practice. Now, you can use three effective methods to convert dynamic disk:

Method 1: Convert dynamic disk to basic disk with Partition Master tool (Recommended)

MiniTool Partition Wizard allows you to convert dynamic disk to basic disk via simple steps. Download and install MiniTool Partition Wizard, activate it on your computer with the serial number, and then follow the guide below to convert dynamic disk.

Step 1. Install and launch the Partition Master, then go to Disk Converter.

Step 2. Choose the disk conversion mode that suits your needs:

• Convert to Dynamic Disk: Convert a basic disk to a dynamic disk.
• Convert to Basic Disk: Convert a dynamic disk to a basic disk.

Step 3: Select the target disk - Basic or Dynamic. Make sure you have selected the right disk and then click "Convert" to start.

0:00 - 0:18 Convert a basic disk to a dynamic disk; 0:19 - 0:36 convert a dynamic disk to a basic disk.

Users can also use Partition Master to convert dynamic disk to basic disk with the above steps. In addition, this software can resize partitions on dynamic disk or copy dynamic disk.

Only Method 1 can safely and reliably convert a dynamic disk back to a basic disk. The other methods require that all dynamic volumes be deleted, resulting in data loss. There are three ways to convert a dynamic disk back to a basic disk:

Method 2: Convert Dynamic Disk to Basic Disk via Disk Management

WARNING: Unlike the conversion to dynamic disk, converting back to basic disk from dynamic disk requires you to delete all volumes first. This is why we emphasized the importance of backing up earlier.

< strong > Step 1. < /strong> Right-click on the dynamic disk that you want to convert or change to a basic disk in Disk Management.

Step 2: Select “Delete Volume” for each volume on the disk.

Step 3: Delete all the volumes on the dynamic disk, then right-click and select "Convert to Basic Disk."

Use Disk Management to convert dynamic disk to basic disk

Method 3: Convert dynamic disk to basic disk using Diskpart command

Step 1. Open the Command Prompt disk management window. Note the number of the disk that you want to convert to Basic.

Step 2. Enter each of the following commands one at a time, pressing Enter after each. (Note: The “0” here refers to the disk number and the “1” refers to the volume number.)

• List disks
• Select disk 0
• Detail disk 0
• Select volume= 1
• Delete volume
• Select disk 0
• Convert to basic disk

Important: If the disk has multiple partitions, continue selecting partitions and repeating the delete volume command until all partitions are deleted.

Step 3: When you're done, type exit to close the program.

More information about basic disks and dynamic disks

Many of us work with hard drives every day, and it pays to know the basics. For example, what does it mean to convert a hard drive to dynamic?

There are two types of hard disks, namely Basic Disk and Dynamic Disk. As you might know, Dynamic Disk came after Basic Disk, but both are well-supported by widely-used Windows operating systems like Windows 10, 8, and 7. If you want to learn about the main differences between them, here's a comprehensive explanation.

1. Number of Volumes

- A basic disk supports primary partitions, extended partitions, and logical drives. The total number of primary and extended partitions cannot exceed four. - After you convert a basic disk to a dynamic disk, you can create volumes that span multiple disks (spanned volumes and striped volumes). Although it is recommended that you have 32 or fewer volumes, you can build as many as 2,000 volumes on a system.

2. Flexibility in Volume Management

Dynamic disks allow you to create mirror volumes and RAID-5 volumes, among other fault-tolerant volumes, and most importantly, they're compatible with all Windows operating systems from Windows 2000 to Windows 10.

To learn about the differences between basic and dynamic disks, see the following table for more information.

Conclusions

These are the ways to easily convert dynamic disk to basic disk. Hopefully, these proven methods work for you.

Frequently Asked Questions on Converting Dynamic Disk to Basic Disk or Vice Versa: 1. What is a Dynamic Disk and a Basic Disk? - A Dynamic Disk is an advanced disk type in the Windows operating system that supports features like Spanned Volumes, Simple Volumes, Mirrored Volumes, and RAID-5 Volumes. - A Basic Disk is the traditional disk type that only supports primary partitions, extended partitions, and logical drives. 2. Why would you need to change the disk type? - You might convert a Basic Disk to a Dynamic Disk if you need more than four partitions or want to use advanced features like disk mirroring or striping. - Conversely, you might convert back to a Basic Disk if you encounter issues or need to use the disk on a computer that doesn't support Dynamic Disks. 3. How do I convert a Dynamic Disk to a Basic Disk? - Using the built-in Disk Management tool in Windows, select the Dynamic Disk, right-click the dynamic volume you want to convert, and choose "Convert to Basic Disk." Note that this will erase all data on the dynamic volumes; ensure you have backups. 4. How do I convert a Basic Disk to a Dynamic Disk? - Again, use the Disk Management tool. Select the Basic Disk, right-click the unallocated space, choose "New Simple Volume," and follow the wizard to create a Dynamic Disk. 5. Will I lose data during the conversion process? - Data will be lost when converting a Dynamic Disk back to a Basic Disk, so always back up important files first. - Converting from a Basic Disk to a Dynamic Disk typically won't result in data loss, but it's still advisable to back up your data beforehand. 6. Can I convert disks while the system is running? - It's not recommended to perform conversions while the system is running, as it's best to do it in Safe Mode or on another computer to avoid data corruption or system instability. 7. What should I consider when changing disk types? - Make sure your system supports Dynamic Disks and understand the potential impacts on services and applications. - Always back up all crucial data before converting. - Proceed with caution, as incorrect conversions can lead to data loss or an unbootable system. 8. What if the conversion fails? - If you encounter issues during the process, try using specialized disk management software or seek technical support. - If data is lost, you may need to use data recovery tools to attempt retrieval.

Can I convert a dynamic disk to a basic disk without losing data?

In supported systems, you can directly use the Windows Disk Management tool to convert a basic disk to dynamic disk without data loss. However, if you must convert dynamic disk to basic disk, you have to use Disk Management to delete all volumes and data on the disk. But with the professional dynamic disk converter Partition Master, you can easily convert dynamic disk to basic disk without data loss.

The steps to convert a Dynamic Disk back to Basic Disk are as follows: Windows 10/8/7:

Step 1. Install and launch AOMEI Partition Assistant on your Windows PC.

Step 2: Select the dynamic disk that you want to convert to a basic disk.

Step 3: Right-click the layer and select Convert to Constant Layer. Click OK in the dialog box to add this operation to the queue.

Click the Perform 1 action button in the upper-left corner, and then apply it to convert the dynamic disk back to a basic disk.

What happens when you convert to a dynamic disk?

Converting a basic disk to a dynamic disk is a semipermanent operation. Once you convert a basic disk to a dynamic disk, you cannot convert it back to a basic disk unless you delete all the volumes on the disk.

What is the difference between basic disks and dynamic disks?

• Basic Disk is a traditional storage model that uses partitions or logical drives to manage data on the hard disk. • Dynamic Disk doesn't use partition tables; instead, it uses dynamic volumes as a replacement for partitions.

How to undo a dynamic disk?

Here are some basic steps:

Step 1: Open the “Disk Management” tool and right click on the dynamic disk that you need to convert or change to a basic disk.

Step 2: Select each volume on the disk, and then choose Delete Volume.

Step 3: Right-click on all the volumes on the dynamic disk and select "Convert to Basic Disk".