Can You Convert Basic to Dynamic in Windows 11? Yes, Here Is The Guide

Introduction

There are two kinds of computer hard disks: basic and dynamic disks. Basic disks are the most common form of computer hard disk, and basic disks are the most often encountered storage medium while working with Windows. A file system is often used to organize the contents of partitions, such as basic partitions and logical drives. Dynamic disks can generate fault-tolerant volumes that can span many disks — something that Basic disks cannot do.

So, what's all the fuss about? In some instances, upgrading your basic disk to a dynamic disk is a smart idea, depending on how you want to use your Windows computer. You can discover that a basic disk does not provide many of the features you need. This article will provide some primary reasons why and how to Convert Basic to Dynamic in Windows 11.

Can I Convert a Basic Disk to Dynamic?

Yes, you can comfortably convert a basic disk to a dynamic disk to enhance the performance of your OS. Some of the significant reasons for doing so are:

• A dynamic drive gives you the option to store data to many hard drives simultaneously, creating so-called "stiped volumes." Because they allow more than one disk drive to drive read and write data, they will increase the overall performance of the disk drive.
• It will boost the speed of your Windows operating system if you switch from essential to dynamic disk storage.
• Dynamic disks can create volumes that span many drives, which is very useful. Due to the ability to merge sections of unallocated space in volumes shared across many drives, you'll be able to make greater use of your available disk space if you use this strategy to maximize your available disk space.
• If you're utilizing dynamic disks, the only way to construct fault-tolerant volumes (either RAID-5 or mirrored) is to use RAID-5 or mirrored volumes.

How Do I Convert a Basic Disk to a Dynamic Disk in Windows 11? [3 Ways]

This section will look at the three ways to convert a basic disk to a dynamic disk. However, before going through the steps needed by the different techniques, make a backup of your data to an external hard drive or storage device. Due to the danger of data loss due to this operation, it is necessary to do this step.

#1. Convert Basic Disk to Dynamic in Windows 11 Using Disk Conversion Software

EaseUS Partition Master is not only one of the most effective methods in partitioning hard drive, but also works efficiently in disk conersion. Its Disk Converter feature enables you efficiently convert a disk between Basic and Dynamic in simple clicks. 

Here is how simple this software allows you to convert a basic disk to dynamic in Windows 11:

Step 1. Install and open EaseUS Partition Master and go to Disk Converter.

Step 2. Select the disk conversion mode that suits your need:

• Convert Basic to Dynamic: change a Basic disk to Dynamic.
• Convert Dynamic to Basic: change a Dynamic disk to Basic.

Step 3. Select the target disk - Basic or Dynamic, confirm you've select the correct disk and click "Convert" to start.

0:00 - 0:18 Convert Basic to Dynamic Disk; 0:19- 0:36 Convert Dynamic to Basic Disk.

The software is particularly well suited for many tasks such as disk maintenance, partitioning, cloning, and migration operations that are not currently supported by the default disk management tools. Here are some amazing features that you may also like to apply in managing disk space in Windows 11.

Some Key Features Include:

• Support for merging partitions that are not contiguous to one another.
• A new, simple-to-use interface has been developed.
• Support for resizing partitions using the NTFS file system.
• Disk management software that is well-designed and simple to use.
• Functionality for partitioning on a large scale (inc. create, split, merge, extend, shrink, etc.).
• Tools for cloning disks and migrating systems (including SSD optimization).
• Specialist disk layout tool - allows you to make changes to several partitions at the same time.
• Media creators can be launched from a bootable media library (Run Partition Master before Windows starts).
• Tools for professional cleaning and disk maintenance are included.

#2. Convert Basic Disk to Dynamic Disk in Windows 11 with Disk Management

Disk Management is a built-in feature of the Windows operating system. Free disk conversion from dynamic to basic disk can be achieved using Disk Management. However, it can only convert an empty dynamic disk into a basic disk. As a result, you must remove all the data stored on the dynamic drive.

(Note: if there is any essential data on the dynamic drive, it is recommended that you must back up before erasing it).

Follow the steps below to convert a static disk to a dynamic disk on Windows 11 using Disk Management:

Step 1: To begin, you must open the Run window by pressing the Windows + R shortcut keys simultaneously.

Step 2: After that, enter diskmgmt. msc and press Enter.

Step 3: When the Disk Management window opens, right-click on the basic disk you wish to change and choose Convert to Dynamic Disk. When the Disk Management window closes, repeat the process.

Step 4: A pop-up window opens; choose the basic disk from the drop-down menu and then click OK.

#3. Convert Basic to Dynamic via CMD

Using Windows 11, you can also use the Command Prompt (CMD) to convert Basic Disk to Dynamic Disk. To do so, follow the procedures outlined below:

Step 1: Open the command prompt by looking for it in the Start Menu and clicking on it.

Step 2: To begin, open a command prompt window and enter diskpart followed by the Enter key.

Step 3: Put list disk in the search box and press the Enter key. Write down the disk number you want to modify from Fixed to Dynamic.

Step 4: Select disk from the drop-down menu and press Enter.

Step 5: Type convert dynamic into the search box after choosing your disk and pressing Enter.

Step 6: When you're done converting, put exit into the text box and hit Enter to complete the disk conversion process.

That's all there is to it! Close the Command Prompt window when you are finished. This is also a simple way that does not lose any data.

Bonus Tip: How to Extend Partition without Converting to Dynamic

It would help if you considered changing your basic disk to a dynamic disk, depending on your requirements for using your Windows computer. This will allow you to use a variety of capabilities that are not accessible while using a basic disk.

In this section of our article, we'll go over how EaseUS Partition Master can assist you in extending a partition without having to convert it to a dynamic disk format. We have a comprehensive step-by-step guide on doing this task using the best software available.

First off, let us tell you that you need to download this software on your computer or laptop before beginning the process.

EaseUS Partition Master has two features up its sleeve that make it easier for users to extend a partition. The Allocation Space option allows you to extend a partition within one drive. Further, the Extend C with 2nd Disk feature allows you to extend a system partition across multiple disks. Let's look at the steps on how to do it successfully:

Step 1. Right-click on the D: partition with enough free space and select "Allocate Space".

Step 2. Select the target partition - C: drive and drag the partition panel rightward to add the free space from D: drive to C: drive. Then click "OK" to confirm.

Step 3. Click the "Execute Task" button and click "Apply" to start the process of moving free space from D: drive to C: drive.

Conclusion

Converting from a basic to a dynamic disk can improve the performance of your Windows operating system, and this article demonstrated three different methods for doing so in Windows 11. Transforming the basic drive to dynamic will give more flexibility to the users as it doesn't involve any partition table and uses an LDM or VDS to record information. We hope you find this guide informative and intuitive!

FAQs of Windows 11 Convert to Dynamic Disk

In this part, we listed some hot topics that are related to Windows 11 converting basic disk to dynamic and if you are having the same questions, follow and find answers here.

1. What happens of I convert to dynamic disk?

When you convert a basic disk to dynamic, you won't be able to see any big changes on the target disk. However, if you convert 2 hard disks to dynamic, you'll be able to combine these two disks or even more hard disks as one. 

When you convert a system disk from basic to dynamic, the operating system won't be able to load and boot on the source disk. As a result, you'll come across Windows unbootable on dynamic disk issue.

2. Does Windows 11 support dynamic disk?

Yes, Windows 11 supports dynamic disk. There are two types of computer hard disk drive in Windows 11 that are basic disk and dynamic disk.

Note that Windows 11 system disk can only use basic disk, while for the data disk drive, you can use it as dynamic in Windows 11.

3. Can I convert a basic disk to dynamic?

To convert a basic disk to dynamic disk without losing any data, you can turn to EaseUS Partition Master and apply its disk conversion feature as recommended above on this page. 

But if you want to convert a data disk from basic to dynamic without using disk conversion software, you can try the steps here:

• First, back up the whole disk data to an external hard drive.
• Open Disk Management, and right-click all existing partitions on the target basic disk.
• Right-click on the basic disk once you delete all partitions on it and select "Covnert to Dynamic".

4. How do I change a dynamic disk to a basic disk in Windows 11?

To change a dynamic disk to a basic disk in Windows 11, launch EaseUS Partition Master and follow the steps here for help:

• Click "Disk Converter" on EaseUS Partition Master.
• Select "Convert Dynamic to Basic".
• Select the target dynamic disk in Windows 11 that you want to convert to basic, select "Continue".
• Click "Execute 1 Task" to keep the changes.