Windows 7 / Getting Started

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Converting Basic Disks to Dynamic

The process to convert a basic disk to a dynamic disk requires that you have a minimum of 1 MB of available space on the disk. Best practices state that when you make changes to a disk configuration, you should back up the data before starting, just in case you need to restore it after you are finished. Even so, converting a basic disk to a dynamic disk should not have any effect on your data.

You can convert a basic disk to dynamic at any time. Any partitions on the disk are converted to simple volumes in this process. To perform a conversion, you must be logged on as an administrator of the computer.

1. In Computer Management, right-click the disk to be converted to dynamic and choose Convert to Dynamic Disk.
2. If more than one hard disk is present, you receive the dialog box. Select any additional disks that you want to convert to dynamic and then click OK.
3. The Disks to Convert dialog box shows you the disks that will be converted. Click Convert to proceed.
4. Disk Management warns you that you will be unable to start installed operating systems except the current boot volume. Click Yes to proceed.
5. The disk is converted to dynamic, and the display in Disk Management is updated accordingly.

To convert a dynamic disk back to basic, you must first back up all data on the disk and delete all volumes. Then right-click the disk in Computer Management and choose Convert to Basic Disk. The conversion proceeds and the display in Disk Management is updated within a few seconds.