How to convert to dynamic disk in Win10, 11, and solutions when it is not possible

This time, I will explain how to convert a basic disk to a dynamic disk in Win10 (Windows 10) or Win11.
This content is useful for those who want to increase their freedom by using dynamic disks or those who want to learn more about dynamic disks.

It also describes what to do if you have converted to a dynamic disk but want to revert to a basic disk.

We will also explain the differences and benefits between dynamic disks and basic disks, so please use this as a reference.

Dynamic disk and basic disk

Windows storage management methods include dynamic disks and basic disks.

There may be some people who don't really understand what these discs are, so I've provided an explanation below.

• What is a dynamic disk?
• What is a basic disk?

What is a dynamic disk?

Dynamic disk is one of the storage management methods in Windows.
It is newer than basic disk and allows you to create up to 2000 areas called volumes instead of partitions.

There are several types of volumes, including ``span volumes,'' which treat multiple disks as one volume, and ``mirror volumes,'' which write the same content to multiple disks.

If you have a clear idea of how the volume will be used, you may choose a dynamic disk.

Converting a basic disk to a dynamic disk is relatively easy.
However, when converting from a dynamic disk to a basic disk, you must be careful because you basically have to delete data.

What is a basic disk?

Basic disk is one of the storage management methods in Windows.

Basic disks are a basic management method that existed before the advent of dynamic disks.

The areas are divided into sections called partitions, and each can be treated as a separate drive.

Basically, I think you use a basic disk unless there is a particular reason.    

How to convert C drive in Windows 10, 11 to dynamic disk

This article explains how to convert a basic disk to a dynamic disk, but first, I would like you to double check whether you really need to convert it to a dynamic disk.

This is because dynamic disks have advantages and disadvantages, and the disadvantages are quite large.
If you are interested, please check the advantages and disadvantages below.
→Advantages and disadvantages of dynamic disks in Windows 10 and 11

If there is no problem, please continue reading below.

This article explains how to convert a basic disk to a dynamic disk using Windows Disk Management.
There is no need to delete data when converting from basic disk to dynamic disk.

[How to convert basic disk to dynamic disk using Disk Management]

1. Right-click on "Start (Windows mark)".
2. Select Disk Management.
3. Right-click on the disk number part of the disk you want to convert.
4. Select "Convert to Dynamic Disk".
5. Check the disks you want to convert to dynamic disks.
6. Select OK.
7. Check the contents and select "Convert".

How to convert dynamic disk to basic disk while preserving data on Windows 10 and 11

Converting a dynamic disk to a basic disk usually requires formatting and deleting all data. Therefore, it takes time and effort to back up data.

However, if you use the appropriate software, there are cases where you can convert a dynamic disk to a basic disk while preserving data.

If you want to convert a dynamic disk to a basic disk while keeping the data on Win10 or Win11, it is recommended to use the software introduced below.

→Recommended free software to convert dynamic disk to basic disk

Advantages and disadvantages of dynamic disks in Windows 10 and 11

Although dynamic disks have advantages, there are also many disadvantages.

The following items are explained, so please read them carefully and use them as a reference.

• Advantages of dynamic disks
• Disadvantages of dynamic disks

Advantages of dynamic disks

The advantage of dynamic disks is their versatility and flexibility.

The ability to write to multiple discs at the same time and create copies of the same content is a feature that basic discs do not have.

If you can select span volumes, striped volumes, mirror volumes, RAID-5 volumes, etc. to suit your purpose, you may be able to use your computer more comfortably and with increased processing speed and efficiency.

Disadvantages of dynamic disks

The disadvantage of dynamic disk is that it is difficult to convert to basic disk.

Converting a basic disk to a dynamic disk is relatively easy and does not require you to delete any data.
However, when converting from a dynamic disk to a basic disk, it is often necessary to delete data.

Also, it seems possible to convert a dynamic disk back to a basic disk if it was originally used as a basic disk, but it is difficult to convert a disk that was originally used as a dynamic disk to a basic disk.

Another disadvantage is that some operating systems do not support dynamic disks.
Of course, it is only compatible with Windows, and even with Windows, it is only compatible with Windows 2000 or later.

Although dynamic disks offer a high degree of freedom and can be considered professional, they are currently not recommended.
If a problem occurs, it may be difficult to deal with dynamic disks, so if you don't need them, it may be sufficient to leave them as basic disks.

Recommended free software to convert dynamic disk to basic disk

Converting a dynamic disk to a basic disk usually requires formatting and data will be deleted.

It is best to use software to convert without deleting data.
However, please be aware that converting dynamic disks to basic disks often requires a fee.

We recommend EaseUS Partition Master, which is a free software that we will introduce this time, as it allows you to return a dynamic disk to a basic disk without deleting any data.
(It may vary depending on the situation.)

How to convert dynamic disk to basic disk using EaseUS Partition Master

EaseUS Partition Master is a partition management software that you can also use for free.
It is a multifunctional software that can not only convert dynamic disk to basic disk but also perform other partition operations.
You can also use EaseUS Partition Master to convert dynamic disk to basic disk without deleting data.

(If you convert a dynamic disk to a basic disk using this method, it must be a simple volume.)

[How to convert dynamic disk to basic disk with EaseUS Partition Master]

1. Obtain EaseUS Partition Master from the following site.
   EaseUS® Partition Master Free – Free partition management software for Windows
   Please see the article below for details on how to obtain EaseUS Partition Master and its basic usage.
   →How to use EaseUS Partition Master and solutions when it cannot be used (ictbs.co.jp)
2. Launch EaseUS Partition Master.
3. If the dynamic disk is not a simple volume, remove the volume from Windows Disk Management.
4. ▼Right-click the relevant dynamic disk and select "Convert to Basic".
   
5. ▼ Select "Perform X operations" to convert dynamic disk to basic disk.
   

How to resolve when you cannot convert to dynamic disk

If you have tried converting to a dynamic disk but are unable to convert due to a problem, please try the following solutions.

• If "Pack name is invalid" is displayed
• In case of insufficient capacity
• If you see "Action not supported by this object"
• GPT disks cannot be converted, but MBR disks may be able to be converted.

If "Pack name is invalid" is displayed

If the computer name you are setting uses double-byte characters such as Kanji, "Invalid pack name" may be displayed and conversion to a dynamic disk may not be possible.

Therefore, changing the computer name to English will likely resolve the issue.

The same goes for Chinese and Korean.

In case of insufficient capacity

If the disk does not have enough space, you may not be able to convert it to a dynamic disk due to insufficient space.

Converting to a dynamic disk requires at least 1MB of unallocated space to create a database.

Please check to see if the disk is full.

If you see "Action not supported by this object"

If you have not upgraded the MBR driver to Windows 64, you may be unable to convert the disk to a dynamic disk because "Unsupported operation for this object" will be displayed.

Make sure that the MBR driver has been upgraded, and if not, upgrade it.

GPT disks cannot be converted, but MBR disks may be able to be converted.

Among the cases where it is not possible to convert to a dynamic disk, there are cases where ``GPT disks cannot be converted, but MBR disks can be converted.''

Depending on the situation, the above measures may not solve the problem, but there are cases where the problem can be resolved by using an MBR disk, so please use this as a reference.

Summary of how to convert to dynamic disk in Windows 10 and 11

This time, I explained how to convert to a dynamic disk on Win10 or 11.

Basically, converting a basic disk to dynamic disk is easy.

There may be cases where you cannot convert to a dynamic disk, so in that case, please refer to the workaround.
Another issue is that converting from a dynamic disk back to a basic disk is often a hassle.
Therefore, we recommend that you first think about whether you really need to convert a basic disk to a dynamic disk before doing so.

The reason is that in most cases, a basic disk is sufficient, and even if a problem occurs after converting to a dynamic disk, it may not be possible to deal with it.

Also, when converting from a dynamic disk to a basic disk, you may need to format the data, so be sure to back it up.

One way is to use EaseUS Partition Master, which is free to use.