If you are running a dynamic disk, how can you convert dynamic disk to basic disk? Right here, MiniTool gives you the best solution convert simple volume to primary partition if you accidentally turned a basic disk to dynamic disk.

When you are managing computer hard drives, you may convert the basic disk to dynamic disk by mistake. For example, you are trying to create more partitions on the drive, without noticing that the operation you selected will convert the selected basic disk to dynamic disk (image attached). 

the operation will convert the selected basic disk to dynamic disk

Finally, it is too late to realize that your primary partitions have become simple volumes which you are not familiar at all. In this case, what should you do? How can you convert simple volumes to primary partitions?

In fact, to convert simple volumes to primary partitions, you only need to convert dynamic disk to basic disk. This is because simple volumes are based on dynamic disk while primary partitions are based on basic disk. Luckily, there are simple ways to change simple volumes to primary partitions. I’ll go for the detail. Just keep reading.

Recommended: What Are Basic and Dynamic Disks – Features, Differences, Conversion

2 Ways to Convert Simple Volumes to Primary Partitions

If you want a straight forward and safe way, I guess you will be glad to know MiniTool Partition Wizard – the most popular disk management utility. Why is it popular? Well, this partition manager is able to deal with all kinds of dynamic disk issues, such as move/resize volume, copy volume, check file system, change volume cluster size, convert dynamic disk to basic, etc.

First Choice: Convert Dynamic Disk to Basic Disk

Note: Convert dynamic disk to basic is a paid feature in MiniTool Partition Wizard. Hence, you need to pay for a license to activate it. However, you can also download the Trial edition for an experience.

MiniTool Partition Wizard DemoClick to Download100%Clean & Safe

Let’s have a look at how it performs when it comes to converting dynamic disk to basic disk.

Step 1. Install and launch MiniTool Partition Wizard. It is easy for you to find the dynamic disk you want to convert.

Step 2. Select the dynamic disk you need to convert, and then choose Convert Dynamic Disk to Basic from the action panel. Or you can right click the dynamic disk and choose Convert Dynamic Disk to Basic Disk from the pop-up menu.

choose Convert Dynamic Disk to Basic

Step 3. Immediately you can see what this dynamic disk will become. In my example, disk 3 becomes basic disk and all simple volumes on it are turned into primary partitions. But this is just a preview. Finally, click Apply to start the conversion.

hit the Apply button

Tip: MiniTool Partition Wizard requires a reboot to finish the conversion if you are dealing with a system disk.

“MiniTool Partition Wizard is such a partition magic to change simple volumes to primary partitions, works great!”Click to Tweet

Second Way: Copy Dynamic Disk to Basic Disk

Another suggestion is also using MiniTool Partition Wizard, but this time it is Vopy Disk feature. In short, this feature is very powerful. It not only clones basic disks but also copies dynamic disks. The difference is when it copies dynamic disk, the target disk keeps itself a basic disk. Hence, you can use this feature to convert simple volumes to primary partitions.

Note: When it comes to dynamic disk, Copy Disk only works with non-system disk with only simple volumes. And, this is also a paid feature.

Please follow the step-by-step guide below:

Step 1. Launch MiniTool Partition Wizard and select Copy Disk from the menu bar.

choose Copy volume

Step 2. Skip the welcome page by clicking Next.

skip the welcome page

Step 3. Here you need to select the source disk. Just choose the dynamic disk you want to copy and click Next.

select the dynamic disk to copy

Step 4. Now choose the target disk and confirm your choice. Note that all data on the target disk will be destroyed. Hence make sure it is ready for the copy. Otherwise, make a backup immediately.

select a basic disk to hold all content of the dynamic disk

Step 5. At the Review page, you can edit the partition size before you click Next.

edit partition size on the destination disk

Step 6. Ignore the “how to boot” information (since you are copying non-system disk) and click Finish.

skip how to boot from the destination disk

Step 7. See! The target disk will have a copy of the volumes on the dynamic disk. Finally, click Apply to start the cloning. All will be finished quickly.

click Apply button

Tip: If you only want to convert one simple volume to primary partition, then Copy Volume is a good choice. However, be sure to select an unallocated space from a basic disk to be the destination. Beside, pay attention to the partition layout if the destination disk has MBR partition table for it may refuse to create more partitions on it.

copy volume

Now you know how to convert simple volumes to primary partitions using MiniTool Partition Wizard. If you are troubled by this issue, just try this Norton partition magic alternative. For any questions, don’t hesitate to contact [email protected].

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