How would I be able to sort out my disk partitions without formatting


  1. Posts : 8
    Windows 10
       #1

    How would I be able to sort out my disk partitions without formatting


    I've recently noticed that my disk partitions/volumes are all kinds of weird there appears to be multiple of the same volume but with different sizes and I'm confused as to how I've managed to do this. I would prefer if I didn't have to format the drives but if its required then I'll just have to deal with it.

    How would I be able to sort out my disk partitions without formatting-dc5f7b7e0e7724e26944a54f2695cb44.png
      My Computer


  2. Posts : 42,983
    Win 10 Pro (22H2) (2nd PC is 22H2)
       #2

    Agreed- your Windows partitions are scattered across your disks.

    A way to reconstruct Windows with everything on the same disk has been documented several times on this forum.
    a. Use disk imaging (which you should be using routinely if you follow the recommendations repeated strenuously here) and image your existing C:
    b. Delete other partitions elsewhere related to Windows
    c. To be on the safe side, disconnect or disable all other disks.
    d. Wipe your current system disk and reinstall Windows on it
    e. Check all partitions are there (there's then really no other option anyway!) and it boots ok.
    f. Replace the newly created C: by restoring your image.
    g. Run Startup Repair
    h. Check it boots.

    Note- before starting, best shrink C: a bit to allow for all partitions being on your system disk.
      My Computers


  3. Posts : 15,485
    Windows10
       #3

    dalchina said:
    Agreed- your Windows partitions are scattered across your disks.

    A way to reconstruct Windows with everything on the same disk has been documented several times on this forum.
    a. Use disk imaging (which you should be using routinely if you follow the recommendations repeated strenuously here) and image your existing C:
    b. Delete other partitions elsewhere related to Windows
    c. To be on the safe side, disconnect or disable all other disks.
    d. Wipe your current system disk and reinstall Windows on it
    e. Check all partitions are there (there's then really no other option anyway!) and it boots ok.
    f. Replace the newly created C: by restoring your image.
    g. Run Startup Repair
    h. Check it boots.

    Note- before starting, best shrink C: a bit to allow for all partitions being on your system disk.
    OP has got in a bit of a mess as he is using dynamic disks as far as I can tell.

    OP should back up data and convert to basic disks as well.
      My Computer


  4. Posts : 31,651
    10 Home x64 (22H2) (10 Pro on 2nd pc)
       #4

    cereberus said:
    OP has got in a bit of a mess as he is using dynamic disks as far as I can tell.

    OP should back up data and convert to basic disks as well.
    Correct. Disks 2, 3 and 4 are dynamic disks. The colour of the G: D: H: and M: volumes indicates that they are simple volumes. It is quite possible for a dynamic disk to have a drive letter made up of a number simple volumes that have been combined over time.

    What Is Dynamic Disk
    Dynamic disk uses dynamic volumes to manage data. It is a separate form of volume management that allows one volume to have noncontiguous extents on one or more physical disks. Dynamic disks use a database to track information about all volumes on the disk as well as information about other dynamic disks ... each dynamic disk in a computer saves a copy of the database, so that Windows can repair a damaged database by using the database on other dynamic disks.
    https://www.partitionwizard.com/help...mic-disks.html

    Note:
    MiniTool Partition Wizard Free Edition does not support converting dynamic disk to basic. We need to purchase advanced editions to do this job.
      My Computers


  5. Posts : 4
    Win 10 Pro Insider Build 16215
       #5

    Download minitool partition wizard and when it's installed open it from your desktop & select the top left square, when it loads you can use lots of the functions in there to organise and arrange you partitions etc
      My Computer


  6. Posts : 8
    Windows 10
    Thread Starter
       #6

    I decided to just go ahead and clean the drives but now this is showing up and I can't seem to get rid of it.

    How would I be able to sort out my disk partitions without formatting-bc4196a054e2c7bb0bfc170d25fa1581.png

    any recommendations?
      My Computer


  7. Posts : 31,651
    10 Home x64 (22H2) (10 Pro on 2nd pc)
       #7

    Try this, you should end up with empty unallocated disks.

    To remove a missing dynamic disk using the Windows interface
    • In Disk Manager, right-click each volume on the dynamic disk marked Missing, and then click Delete Volume to remove all volumes on the Missing disk.
    • Right-click the dynamic disk marked Missing, and then click Remove Disk.
    https://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/...(v=ws.11).aspx
      My Computers


  8. Posts : 8
    Windows 10
    Thread Starter
       #8

    When you say "empty unallocated disks" does that mean it will wipe the drive again?

      My Computer


  9. Posts : 31,651
    10 Home x64 (22H2) (10 Pro on 2nd pc)
       #9

    deanreid said:
    When you say "empty unallocated disks" does that mean it will wipe the drive again?
    The process just removes the database that stores the dynamic disk layouts. What's left behind depends on what you did when you...
    deanreid said:
    ...decided to just go ahead and clean the drives...
    I expect there will be no partition information (MBR or GPT) so the disk would show as 'unallocated' (or maybe 'raw'). Either way you should end up with an empty disk you can partition as you wish.
      My Computers


  10. Posts : 8
    Windows 10
    Thread Starter
       #10

    I expect there will be no partition information (MBR or GPT) so the disk would show as 'unallocated' (or maybe 'raw'). Either way you should end up with an empty disk you can partition as you wish.
    I did the clean command through diskpart. and I've already started moving all my files back.

    Attachment 145239

    The option to remove is greyed out

    EDIT: I misread and was right clicking on the wrong thing. all gone now, Thanks for the help
    :)
    Last edited by deanreid; 23 Jul 2017 at 08:18.
      My Computer


 

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