Can't Extend Volume on Windows Server 2016, What Should I Do?

Hi guys, It should be a simple operation, but it confuses me. I have a 2016 DC server on VMware and need to expand one of the data disks. I edited the configuration on the VM and added some extra space to the disk. Then, the extra space I added was hanging at the end of the disk, waiting to be expanded. But when I right-click to start the extension wizard, the 'extend volume' greyed out. How should I go about it?

Best Answered by

Sherly· Answered on Sep 09, 2025

Hello, I'll try my best to help you solve this problem next. I really hope my answer can help.

This could be because your target disk is using MBR with a partition limit of 2TB. Partitions larger than 2TB require GPT.
Select the disk in Disk Management, and right-click "Properties." You'll see either Master Boot Record (MBR) or GUID Partition Table (GPT). If the disk is an MBR disk, you need to turn this disk into a GPT one. Based on my personal experience, I recommend you use EaseUS Partition Master Server, which is an all-in-one disk manager for Windows Server. It can convert MBR to GPT without losing any data, so in my past tests, it never damages any of my data during the conversion. But to protect your important data, please back up your data in advance.

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Here are the steps of how to use EaseUS Partition Master:

Step 1. Launch EaseUS Partition Master on your computer/laptop.

Step 2. Go to the Disk Converter section, and select "Convert MBR to GPT." Then, click "Next" to continue.

Step 3. Select the target disk that you want to convert to GPT, and click "Convert" to initiate the conversion.

Also Learn: How to Partition a Hard Drive.

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