Solved: Cannot Install Windows 10 on Dynamic Disk

✔ Can't install Windows 10 on my dynamic disk 
✔ Fix unable to install Windows 10 on dynamic disk problem
✔ Wrap things up
✔ FAQs: Can't install Windows 10 on my dynamic disk 

Can't install Windows 10 on my dynamic disk 

“Hi, guys, I need your help! I insert a Windows installation CD into my computer and try to install Windows 10 on a dynamic disk but I just get the error message that Windows cannot be installed to this hard disk space. The partition contains one or more dynamic volumes that are not supported for installation. What should I do to install Windows 10 on this disk? Is there any advice?  Thanks in advance!”

Dynamic Disk is a commonly used hard drive configuration in Windows systems. Compare with basic disks that divide storage space into partitions, dynamic disks utilize multiple segments known as "volumes" to store data. These volumes are managed by the logical disk manager (LDM) rather than partition tables.

According to official reports from Microsoft, Windows supports the installation of the system volume on dynamic disks, but only in "Mirror" mode. This limitation arises because the minimal drivers the Windows bootloader uses before loading the Windows operating system only support this mode.

While it is possible to install the Windows operating system on a dynamic volume, Windows 10 cannot boot from a dynamic disk if the bootloader cannot do so. In other words, you can only install Windows onto a dynamic volume that serves as a boot or system partition before converting it into a dynamic disk.

Fix unable to install Windows 10 on dynamic disk problem

Encountering an error message while trying to install Windows 10 on a dynamic disk can be frustrating. As you are prompted that Windows 10 cannot be installed to dynamic disk space, to install Windows 10 on this disk and boot from it successfully, you can convert the dynamic disk to basic. Let’s take a look at the tutorials on how to convert dynamic disk into basic presented in the following context.

✔ Convert dynamic disk to basic disk without losing data

If you need to convert disk into basic without deleting volumes, you can try AOMEI Partition Assistant Professional, which owns Dynamic Disk Manager feature, enabling you to convert dynamic disk into basic without data loss, resize dynamic partition, and so on.

It is compatible with Windows 11/10/8.1/8/7/Vista/XP/2000. If you need to use it under Windows Server 2003/2008/2011/2016/2016/2019/2022, you can choose AOMEI Partition Assistant Server edition.

Step 1. Install and fire up AOMEI Partition Assistant Professional and click the dynamic disk and choose "Dynamic Disk Manager" from the right list.

It will launch AOMEI Dynamic Disk Manager. In the main interface, locate the dynamic disk that needs converting and choose “Convert to Basic Disk”.

Step 2. In the pop-up window, click “OK” button.

Step 3. Return to the main interface. Confirm your operation and click “Commit” > “Proceed” to perform it.

After a while, you can convert the dynamic disk into basic without data loss.

PS.: It is also available to convert dynamic disk that Windows installed on to basic without data loss via AOMEI Partition Assistant Professional.

✔ Delete dynamic volumes and convert to basic

To convert dynamic disk into basic, turn to Windows built-in tools Disk Management or Diskpart. 

Opt.1. Convert dynamic disk into basic via Disk Management

Disk Management is a Windows built-in tool, which enables you to manage partition without rebooting and interruption. It enjoys many useful features like creating, and deleting partition, and so on. Now, let’s see how to convert a disk to basic using Disk Management.

Step 1. Press Windows + R to access Run box.

Step 2. In Run box, input “diskmgmt.msc” and hit “Enter” to open Disk Management.

Step 3. The dynamic disk that needs converting will be presented in Disk Management. Right-click every volume on the dynamic disk and choose “Delete Volume”.

Step 4. After deleting all partitions on the dynamic disk, right-click the dynamic disk presented in the form of unallocated disk space and choose “Convert to basic Disk”.

Opt.2. Convert dynamic disk to basic via Diskpart

Diskpart is a Windows snap-in tool, which applies the command line to execute the task. It can also help you to manage disk partitions effectively and conveniently. Here are detailed steps to convert disk to basic using Diskpart.

Step 1. In the Run box, type “diskpart” and hit “Enter” to run Diskpart.

Step 2. In the Diskpart interface, run the following commands:

◆ list disk
◆ select disk n, (“n” refers to the disk number of the dynamic that you want to convert)
◆ list volume
◆ select volume m,(“m” is the number of the volume on the dynamic disk)
◆ delete volume (repeat these two commands to delete all volumes)
◆ select disk n
◆ convert basic

What you need to pay attention to is that when there is more than one volume on the dynamic disk, repeat select volume m and delete volume to delete all volumes on the dynamic disk. After converting the dynamic disk into basic, you can try to install Windows on this disk again.

Notes:
◆ As deleting volumes will erase all data, it is advised to back up all data on the dynamic disk before deletion.
◆ If you need to convert the dynamic disk that holds the current operating system using Disk Management or Diskpart, you can remove the dynamic disk and connect it to another working computer.

Wrap things up

"Can I install Windows 10 on a dynamic disk?" When you install Windows 10 on a dynamic disk an error message will show you the answer: Windows cannot be installed to this hard disk space. The partition contains one or more dynamic volumes that are not supported for installation. In order to solve this problem, you can choose an appropriate way among the ways mentioned above to convert dynamic disk to basic without any effort.

FAQs: Convert dynamic disk to basic disk

Q1: Can I install Windows 10 on a dynamic disk?
A1: No, Windows 10 cannot be installed on a dynamic disk. The error message "Windows cannot be installed to this hard disk space. The partition contains one or more dynamic volumes that are not supported for installation" indicates this limitation.

Q2: How can I convert a dynamic disk to a basic disk without losing data?
A2: You can use third-party software like AOMEI Partition Assistant Professional, which provides the necessary features to convert a dynamic disk to a basic disk without data loss.

Q3: Can I convert a dynamic disk to a basic disk using Windows built-in tools?
A3: Yes, you can convert a dynamic disk to a basic disk using either Disk Management or Diskpart, as explained in the article. However, these methods involve deleting volumes, so ensure you have backed up all data before proceeding.