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Unallocated space on drive can't be extended into nor altered in any way

Anonymous
2017-12-12T00:02:18+00:00

I just built a new PC and, as such, was doing my first clean install of Windows 10 on a machine (I did upgrade my last Windows 7 desktop to 10).  My system has three hard drives:  250 GB SSD, and 2x WD 3 TB HDD.  It had been my intention to put the OS on the SSD, and use the other two as a general media drive and DVR, respectively.  Foolishly, I hooked all three to the motherboard before installing the OS.

As such, and unbeknownst to me, although I directed the installer to put Windows on C: (the SSD), which it did, it put the 500 MB System Reserve on one of my HDDs and created two other partions on the drive (one Primary ((roughly 2 TB)), one Logical ((just over 700 GB))).

I was able to successfully move System Reserve to C:, format that partition on the HDD, and merge that 500 MB with the 2 TB next to it.  However, the Logical partition of Unallocated space is utterly unavailable.  That is, all options in Disk Management, save properties and help, are greyed out.  And, as it's Logical, and it's neighbor's partition is Primary, I can't merge the healthy space next to it out that 700+ GB.

So, I downloaded EaseUS Partition, thinking I could switch the drive to Primary, format the space, and extend the partition next to it (E:) to regain the storage.  However, there, too, all options are greyed out.  I can only "Wipe Data", of which there is none (although, I tried for laughs) or "View Properties".  I even checked the disk for physical errors, all to no avail.

So, how the heck do I get all this storage back?

Windows for home | Windows 10 | Devices and drivers

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  1. Anonymous
    2017-12-12T00:21:20+00:00

    Open Start, type: CMD

    Right click CMD

    Click Run as administrator

    At the command prompt, type the following the hit Enter:

    diskpart

    Identify the drive to reformat, type the following the hit Enter:

    list disk

    Select the drive, and reformat it:

    select disk <disk number>

    clean

    convert gpt

    exit

    Close the command prompt window.

    Restart.

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  2. Anonymous
    2017-12-12T00:34:19+00:00

    I figured using disk part was going to be the only way out.  I think I just kept banging my head against Disk Management/EaseUS because I'd never seen Unallocated space that I couldn't do anything with, so I thought there was a bigger issue.

    But, no, a simple format and switch to GPT did the trick.  Thank you both for your time and have a great day/evening.

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  3. Anonymous
    2017-12-12T00:20:22+00:00

    That is strange, isn't it.

    Since the drive is empty, trying deleting it in Disk Mgmt or Easeus and see if it will create a full drive Logical partition, or if necessary two separate drives successfully. You can wipe it first to get it cleanest, using the option in Easeus or Diskpart Clean Command from installation media Command Prompt: http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/52129-disk...

    Since this is a new build, did you intend to avoid the modern UEFI replacement for BIOS? It has added security benefits, mouse support and slightly better performance. It requires being enabled (by default) in Setup and booting the media as a UEFI device to delete all partitions and then install.

    I hope this helps. Feel free to ask back any questions and let us know how it goes. I will keep working with you until it's resolved.

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  4. Anonymous
    2017-12-12T00:15:14+00:00

    Hi Greg,

    Thanks for your help!

    Yeah, I assumed it was the 2 TB limit.  Just wasn't sure as Windows recognizes my other 3 TB drive without a problem (of course, it didn't try and put any Windows files on said drive).

    I definitely don't mind formatting the entire drive from a prompt (if that would work), I've only put a few things on the drive thus far, all of which I could easily do again.

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  5. Anonymous
    2017-12-12T00:07:22+00:00

    Hi Devon. I'm Greg, a volunteer installation specialist and 8 year Windows MVP, here to help you.

    Please post a screenshot of Disk Management, which we read like a doctor reads X-rays: http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/foru...

    It created the Logical (data) partition because WIndows is only able to recognize 2tb data on MBR formatted drives. You could reformat it GPT to avoid this, or let us see what other options are available.

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