Need fixes to the 'can't convert to dynamic disk' error? Follow this article, you'll find 6 reliable methods with respective step-by-step guides to convert your disk to dynamic successfully.
Dynamic disk usage allows users to build various mirrored and striped volumes. Unfortunately, many Windows customers have reported encountering the issue that Windows tools, such as Disk Management, cannot convert their disks to dynamic disks and display various error messages in Windows 11, 10, 8.1, 8, or 7. This article will provide you with practical solutions to this issue.
Stay calm if you encounter one of the listed errors below while converting a disk from basic to dynamic.
To get rid of this error and change your disk from basic to dynamic, dive into the next part and find what factors block you from changing the disk from basic to dynamic. Also, feel free to share this article online to help Windows owners shift their disks to dynamic like an expert.
Why can't I convert the disk to Dynamic? The error "Can't Convert to Dynamic Disk" is a common problem faced by most users. Go through this table, and you'll learn the reasons why this issue occurs.
| Reasons Unleashed | Explanation for Cannot Convert Disk to Dynamic |
|---|---|
| 1️⃣Invalid pack name | "Pack name invalid" is an error message that often happens if the computer name contains double-byte characters, such as Chinese, Japanese, or Korean, while running Windows Vista, 7/8. -by Microsoft |
| 2️⃣System or boot partition limits | The Windows operating system cannot convert to dynamic where there are multiple system/boot partitions, or the boot file is not in the target volume. |
| 3️⃣The object does not support the operation on removable disks | The Dynamic disk doesn't work with firmware or removable disks. This may trigger the "Object does not support the operation" error. If a volume spanned a detachable disk, the volume breaks. Basic disks on laptops can't be turned into dynamic disks. |
| 4️⃣Disk doesn't have sufficient space | When converting it to a dynamic disk, you may receive an error indicating "no enough space to accomplish this process." To construct the database for the dynamic disk, you must have at least 1 MB of storage space in MBR. |
| 5️⃣MBR disk contains 4 primary partitions | When an MBR disk already contains four primary partitions, the disk conversion operation won't succeed. |
| 6️⃣Disk could not be converted to dynamic because security is enabled | While converting basic to dynamic disk through Disk Management, "The disk could not be changed to dynamic because security is configured on the partition" error may occur. The dynamic disk cannot be activated on disks with system partitions, as the conversion will delete all disk partitions. |
| 7️⃣Limit of the Windows editions or disk type | On Windows Home editions, it doesn't allow users to convert a disk to Dynamic so as to create striped or mirrored volumes. GPT disks cannot be converted to Dynamic (only MBR disks can be converted). |
| 8️⃣Disk gets write-protected or encrypted | When the disk gets write-protected or encrypted, the disk conversion to Dynamic won't succeed. |
When you attempt to convert the basic disk to a dynamic disk using Windows Disk Management, you may find the option to convert to a dynamic disk greyed out.
If you are facing any error like the "Can't Convert to Dynamic Disk," you can use any of the following fixes one by one to resolve the issue.
Now, let's start breaking through the limits that block you from converting a disk to dynamic here.
When your disk is MBR and it has four primary partitions, you can either delete an empty primary partition or convert a primary volume into a logical volume. EaseUS Partition Master Professional offers the second option for you, which allows you to convert a primary volume to logical without losing any data.
Step 1. Download and run EaseUS Partition Master and go to Partition Manager.
Step 2. Right-click the partition you want to convert and choose the convert option:
Step 3. Click the "Execute 1 Task" button and then choose "Apply" to begin the conversion.
0:00 - 0:28 Convert Primary to Logical; 0:29 - 0:54 Convert Logical to Primary.
A great way to resolve this error is to turn to a trustworthy disk conversion application that you can easily and quickly switch your disk from the GPT to MBR style with only a few clicks. On two fronts, EaseUS Partition Master outperforms Disk Management and DiskPart:
• To facilitate disk conversion, EaseUS Partition Master does not remove any partitions.
• While changing the disk from GPT to MBR or vice versa, EaseUS Partition Master does not delete any data on the drive.
Step 1. Download and run EaseUS Partition Master and go to Partition Manager.
Step 2. Right-click the partition you want to convert and choose the convert option:
Step 3. Click the "Execute 1 Task" button and then choose "Apply" to begin the conversion.
0:00 - 0:28 Convert Primary to Logical; 0:29 - 0:54 Convert Logical to Primary.
Aside from converting disk to BMR, this list of other key features offered by EaseUS Partition Master you may also like:
When a disk contains a file system error or bad sectors, Windows won't allow users to convert the problematic disk to dynamic. So, a way out of this case is to run the chkdsk command to fix disk errors.
If you're getting the "the name is invalid" notice while trying to convert to a dynamic disk, altering your computer's name may help. Here, therefore, are the procedures in their entirety.
Step 1: Open the Run Windows by pressing the Win + R keys together. Type in sysdm.cpl followed by clicking OK.
Step 2: In the pop-up box, choose the options you want by clicking the Change button.
Step 3: Give your PC its new moniker on the next page. The name must not include any double-byte characters. To permanently commit the new name, choose OK.
You may utilize Storage Pools to set up a mirrored volume to avoid losing data from basic to dynamic disks when security is turned on. Without upgrading your basic disk to dynamic, you may utilize your storage space similarly to a mirrored volume. How to set up a storage pool is detailed below.
Step 1: Open the Control Panel and navigate to System > Storage.
Step 2: Find More storage options, and click Manage storage spaces.
Step 3: Select Create a new pool and storage space in the pop-up box.
Step 4: On the next screen, choose the disks you want to utilize and then hit the Create pool button to finalize the storage pool creation process.
Step 5: Set up your fresh warehouse. The next page allows you to modify the storage area's name, drive letter, file system, resilience type, and size. Then, press create.
Windows Home Editions would limit you from converting a disk on your PC to dynamic. The best solution for this issue is to upgrade your Windows Home Edition to a Pro or higher edition.
You have two options to accomplish this task:
For a step-by-step guide: Open Windows store > Log in with your account > select "Download and Update" to install and upgrade Windows Home Edition to Pro on your current PC.
Detailed Tutorial: Disconnect your PC from the internet > Right-click on the Windows icon and select "Settings" > Click "Activation" and "Change" at the Change product key section > Type a product key of Windows Pro edition and click "Next" to continue the process.
After you've followed Methods 1 to 6, you can then switch your disk from Basic to Dynamic. Your last task here is to convert your disk to dynamic. Note that Windows Disk Management and DiskPart command lines will require disk partition deletion to complete the conversion.
So, here a safe and secure conversion solution you can trust is turning to reliable disk converter software - EaseUS Partition Master with its Covert to Dynamic option.
Once done, you can enjoy a new dynamic disk and use disk space across disks flexibly. Also, feel free to share this complete guide online to help more of your friends grab this skill in switching their disks to dynamic as easily as you:
Are you unable to convert a basic disk to a dynamic disk? Several factors may contribute to this issue. Nevertheless, there is no need for you to concern the complexity. Examine if any of the methods above will work for you.
If it still does not resolve, let EaseUS Partition Master resolve this issue without mixing or confusing any data available.
We have discussed how to fix the "can't convert to dynamic disk" error. Now, if you have any further relative questions, read the answers below to help.
1. How much space do you need to convert to a dynamic disk?
To construct the database for the dynamic disk, you must own at least 1MB of unallocated space at the end of the MBR disk. This area is automatically allocated in Windows 2000 and Windows XP Professional.
2. Can I convert the C drive to a dynamic disk?
Note that when your system drive or boot partition is loaded from C drive, you can't convert the C drive disk into Dynamic.
Unless your OS disk and system drive is currently relocated on another drive, then, you can follow these steps to change the C drive from a basic disk to a dynamic one:
Step 1. Select Manage by clicking the Manage above button, then right-clicking the Computer icon.
Step 2. Choose Disk Management from the Computer Management menu.
Step 3. Select the disk you want to convert by right-clicking it in the window's bottom part.
Step 4. Click the OK button once you have chosen the disk you want to convert.
Step 5. Convert.
3. Can I convert a basic disk to a dynamic disk without losing data?
Yes. You can do so if you have a dynamic disk and want to use it with a simple disk format. Using Windows' built-in disk management utility, the basic disk may be swiftly transformed into a dynamic one. However, if there are partitions on the dynamic drive, the conversion to basic will fail.
4. How to undo convert to a dynamic disk?
There is no actual way to undo the conversion once you hit the Convert button via Disk Management or a third-party disk conversion tool. So the only way out is to reconvert your disk from Dynamic to Basic.
You can choose to run Disk Management or EaseUS Partition Master to execute the conversion from Dynamic to Basic.
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