How to Convert Dynamic Disk to Basic on Windows Server

Updated by

Linda 

Last updated on April 22, 2024

Do you need to convert dynamic disks to basic disks in Windows Server?

Properly organizing your hard drive partitions and placement is crucial for both convenience and overall system performance. Disks are created by dividing the hard drive into subfolders and folders. In the Windows operating system, there are two partitioning systems: dynamic and basic.

In this article, we will delve into the disk partitioning system. We will explore in detail why Basic Disk is superior to Dynamic Disk. Moreover, we will explain the process of converting Dynamic Disk to Basic Disk using a straightforward method. Now, let's dive into the details.

Use a fast and secure method.

Dynamics and Underpinnings: Why Bother with Underpinnings?

Let's examine the features and characteristics of basic and dynamic disks, respectively.

Basic disk

In the Windows operating system, this is the most common type of storage. Logical drives are used to manage all data and folders on a hard disk. A basic disk consists of three primary partitions and one extended partition that contains multiple logical drives. It offers a simple storage capacity that allows for more convenient access when changing storage requirements.

Here are some of the main features of a basic disk:

• Create and delete primary partitions. • Create and delete logical drives in an extended partition. • Format partitions and set them as active.

Dynamic Disk

As the name implies, Dynamic Disk allows you to change the size of partitions. It's more flexible than Basic Disk. It doesn't use a partition table. Instead, it uses hidden Logical Disk Manager and Virtual Disk Service for partition information. These partitions are expandable.

The notable features of Dynamic Disks are:

• Create and delete simple volumes, spanned volumes, striped volumes, mirrored volumes, and RAID-5 volumes • Handle offline disks • Repair a mirrored volume or a RAID-5 volume

The following table compares basic disks with dynamic disks:

Now that we know the difference between basic and dynamic disks, we can move on. We can answer why you would choose a basic disk. The primary reason to use a basic disk is compatibility with all versions of Windows. Second, Microsoft has deprecated dynamic disks and doesn't recommend them.

How to convert dynamic disk to basic disk on Windows Server?

So far, we have seen the differences and recommended disk types. Sometimes, in certain scenarios, you might need to change dynamic disk to basic disk type. It's an easy task to convert a disk. Let's see each available method that we can use to convert the disk.

Method 1: Convert dynamic disk to basic disk with Partition Master tool Method 1: Change hard drive to basic disk with Partition Master utility

The best and fastest way to convert dynamic disk to basic disk is to use a third-party tool. We recommend using a disk partition manager. Such tools prevent data loss and easily convert the disk.

?Download and try it!

Step 1: Install and launch Partition Master, then go to “Disk Converter”.

Step 2: Choose the disk conversion mode that suits your need:

• 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 correct disk and then click "Convert" to start the conversion.

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

Here are the main features of Partition Master:

- It allows for easy resizing of partitions. - Lets you easily move, copy, resize, and delete partitions. - To save disk space, it merges large partitions into smaller ones. - Aligns partitions correctly for improved system performance. - Prevents data loss. - Ensures data safety and privacy when wiping all data from a hard drive. - Offers a free trial version. - Supports Windows operating systems 2003, 2008, 2012, 2011, 2016, and 2019.

Method 2: Convert Dynamic Disk to Basic Disk via CMD

To begin this process, you must first zero out the dynamic disk.

Here are the steps to convert a dynamic disk to a basic disk using Command Prompt in American English: 1. Open Command Prompt as an administrator: - For Windows 10/8/8.1, press `Win + X`, then choose "Command Prompt (Admin)" or "Windows PowerShell (Admin)". - For Windows 7/Vista/XP, click "Start", type "cmd" in the search box, right-click "Command Prompt", and select "Run as administrator". 2. In the Command Prompt window, enter the following command to list all disk information: ``` diskpart ``` 3. Press `Enter`. You'll see a new command prompt with `(diskpart)` in front. 4. Type the following command to display a list of all disks: ``` list disk ``` 5. Identify the number of the dynamic disk you want to convert. Usually, disk numbers are 0, 1, 2, and so on. 6. To select the disk to convert, type the following command, replacing `X` with the disk number: ``` select disk X ``` 7. Verify that you've selected the correct disk, then input the command to convert the dynamic disk to a basic disk: ``` convert basic ``` 8. The system will warn you about potential data loss. If you're sure you want to proceed, type `Y`, then press `Enter`. 9. Wait for the conversion to finish. This may take some time, depending on the size of the disk and the amount of data. 10. When the conversion is complete, exit the DiskPart tool by typing: ``` exit ``` 11. Finally, close the Command Prompt window. Please note that data loss can occur during this process, so make sure to back up important files before proceeding.

Step 1: First, click on the Command Prompt from the Start menu.

Step 2: Type diskpart, and then press Enter.

Step 3: Type list disk and press Enter.

Step 4: Next, type the name of the disk you want to convert at the command prompt. We'll be converting Disk 0 here.

You can input the name of the disk you want to convert from your system.

5. Type `list volume`. The disk volumes will appear. Input `select volume` followed by the volume label, and then type `delete volume` to erase the data.

Step 6: Type Select Volume 1 to reselect the hard disk to which you want to assign the drive letter, and then type Delete Volume.

Step 7: Type select disk 2, and then type convert basic. This converts the dynamic disk back to a basic disk.

Method 3: Convert a dynamic disk to a basic disk by using Disk Management

Before you start to convert dynamic disk to basic disk, you should backup your data and important files in case of data loss. Deleting partitions may cause data loss. Here are the steps to convert dynamic disk to basic disk:

Step 1: Press Windows + R, type diskmgmt.msc, and press Enter.

Step 2: Right-click on Dynamic Disk Management and delete each volume one by one.

Right-click the volume and select "Delete Volume":

After you delete all the volumes, the dynamic disk is automatically converted to a basic disk.

"Convert Dynamic Disk to Basic Disk"

Step 4: Right-click the target disk, and select "Convert to Basic Disk."

Right click on it and select "Convert to Basic Disk".

Conclusions

In conclusion, converting dynamic disk to basic is a straightforward process. You can choose any available method on your system. Besides, to avoid data loss, you can use a third-party utility tool, Disk Manager. We recommend Partition Master as it safely and quickly converts dynamic disk to basic without data loss. Try the free version and decide for yourself!