How to Convert Primary to Logical or Logical to Primary in Windows Server

This article will explain the step-by-step tutorial to convert primary to logical or convert logical to primary with a third-party application and two Windows built-in programs.

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How to Convert to Logical or Primary on Server?

Why convert to logical partition: MBR disk contains 1 extended partition plus 3 primary partitions or up to 4 primary partitions. If you want to create another partition on this disk, you have to convert the primary partition to a logical partition.

Why change logical to primary: If you want to prepare a partition for setting up the dual-boot system on a computer, you need to convert a logical partition to primary. 1 primary partition for two OS is not enough.

On Windows 11/10/8.1/8/7, we also write an in-depth guide to convert logical to primary or vice versa. Check related articles about the difference between logical and primary partition:

You'll get two parts here to complete the conversion task on Server 2022, 2019, 2016, 2012 (R2), 2008, 2003.

#1. Convert Primary to Logical in Windows Server

You have three methods here to convert primary to logical partition for server machine. But not all solution goes to the perfect result. Command line and disk management refers to delete volume, which related to delete data on primary partition. If you take a quick glance at the content and type it quickly, bad news, data loss happen!

?So we list a third-party software on the first position to convert primary to logical without data loss.

Method 1. Use EaseUS Partition Master to Change Primary to Logical

Speaking of disk converter, no matter convert primary to logical or vice versa, convert MBR TO GPT or vice versa, convert basic to dynamic or vice versa, EaseUS Partition Master can help you to change disk style with data loss.

Directly download or chat with us (24/7 free tech support):

Step 1. Download and run EaseUS Partition Master and go to Partition Manager.

Step 2. Right-click the partition you want to convert and click "Advanced", choose the convert option:

1. 1. Primary to Logical
2. 2. Logical to Primary

Step 3. Click the "Execute 1 Task" button and then choose "Apply" to begin the conversion. 

0:00 - 0:30 Convert Primary to Logical; 0:31 - 0:50 Convert Logical to Primary.

Enjoy more features of EaseUS Partition Master:

Method 2. Convert Primary to Logical CMD

You can run Diskpart utility on Windows Server to convert primary to logical easily. Please enter the correct command line we put. Wrong info will cause unexpected data loss. To prevent this error, you can do a full backup first.

Step 1. Press Windows + R to wake the Run box, type Diskpart and click OK.

Step 2. Type each command line and press Enter:

list disk

select disk*

create partition extended

create partition logical

format quick

assign letter=*  

Exit

Method 3. Convert to Logical on Server by Disk Management

The steps below contain the process to delete volume, which would cause data loss. If you have sensitive files on the primary partition, we recommend backing up all files with back software (EaseUS Todo Backup).

Step 1. Right-click the Start icon and choose Disk Management from menu.

Step 2. Right-click your primary partition and select Delete Volume.

Step 3. Click the unallocated space and select New Simple Volume.

Step 4. On the new simple volume wizard, choose Logical drive when you see three types of partitions.

#2. Convert Logical to Primary in Windows Server

Here you can get two options to convert logical to primary. If you don't want to download the third-party disk converter to change logical to primary, turn to CMD, the Windows built-in tool works to convert to primary on the Server computer.

Option 1. Run Professional Partition to Convert Logical to Primary

Download disk converter on Server 2003, 2008, 2012, 2019, 2022:

Go back to see steps on video.

Option 2. Change to Primary by CMD

Step 1. Type CMD in the search bar. Right-click it and choose "Run as administrator".

Step 2. Input diskpart and press Enter.

Step 3. Type Command line and click Enter.

list disk
select disk * (* is the disk number that contains the logical partition you need to convert to primary partition.)
list partition
select partition * (* stands the number of the logical partition you want to convert to primary.)
delete partition (this command will delete all the data saved on the selected logical partition and turn to the unallocated space.)
create partition primary

Conclusion

Converting primary to logical or logical to primary in Windows Server is not a difficulty task - try EaseUS Partition Master, run Windows built-in program (Command line and disk management). The latter two methods may let your data at risk because its deletion process. To protect data, the EaseUS Partition Master is the best option.