Disk Management performs tasks for managing the storage space of the operating system, like initializing a new drive, extending or shrinking volumes, and so on. This disk management tool is available in every version of Windows (Windows 11, Windows 10, Windows 8, Windows 7, Windows Vista, Windows XP, and Windows 2000) so that you can manage the storage on the device.
How to Open disk management on Windows?
To Open disk management on Windows, follow the steps:
- Open the Control Panel on Windows.
- Select the System and Security option.
- Click on Administrative Tools.
- Select computer management from the list.
- Click on the disk management option.
Alternative Method
To start this operation, follow these steps:
- Sign into the device as an administrator.
- Click Start > Run > type compmgmt.msc > click OK.
- Now, you can easily perform storage tasks.
- Click on the management option.
How to use disk management?
There are several tasks performed on Windows, like initializing new disks, extending a volume, shrinking a basic volume, changing a drive letter, and running troubleshooting for rectifying issues related to disk or storage.
- Initialize new drive
To initialize new disks via disk management, follow the steps:
- Open Windows PowerShell in the search bar.
- Type “get-disk” in PowerShell.
- Hit the Enter key.
- If it shows uninitialized disks, then type in “initialize-disk n”.
- Press the Enter key.
- Extend a drive volume
Extend a volume via disk management, follow the steps:
- Press the Windows and R keys simultaneously.
- Type diskmgmt.msc and press the enter key.
- Right-click on the D drive or an adjacent partition.
- Select the Delete Volume option.
- For confirmation, then click on the yes option.
- Select the “Extend Volume” option.
- Shrink drive volume
To shrink a basic volume via management, follow the steps:
- Press the Windows + X keys simultaneously.
- Click on Management.
- Hold the volume you want to shrink.
- Click on the Shrink Volume option.
- Select the MB of volume you want to shrink.
- Change a drive letter:
Change a drive letter via management, follow the steps:
- Open Windows settings.
- Click on System > Storage > Advanced Storage Settings > Disks & Volumes.
- Select the drive letter and click on Properties.
- Click on the Change Drive Letter option.
- Select a letter and then click OK to keep the changes.
- Run Troubleshooter
To troubleshoot management, follow the steps:
- Shut down the PC and the external hard disk: Turn off the PC and the hard disk. After sometimes turning on the PC again and the hard disk, Check whether the issue is resolved or not.
- If your external disk is not showing up, unplug the disk, plug it back in after some time, and then select Action > Rescan Disks.
- Reconnect Cable: If you’re using an external disk, then change the cable and again connect it. But if you’re using an internal disk, then you need to restart your operating system.