Convert Dynamic Disk to Basic Disk without data loss for Windows Server 2008

Server 2008 Dynamic versus Basic Disk

Dynamic disk provided increased flexibility and functionality in a way that was pretty transparent. And they were a huge step forward when they were introduced in Windows 2000. At the time, RAID controllers were both more expensive and less functional, and many Servers users didn't have hardware RAID on them. Thus, many users are achieving Software-based RAID to replace hardware RAID by using dynamic disk in Server 2008.

If using dynamic disks increases your options, isn't that a good thing? Well, yes. But, a dynamic disk complicates the disaster recovery process, and we dislike anything that creates potential issues in a disaster recovery scenario. So we definitely don't think dynamic disks are appropriate for a system disk.

You may use the some tools to manage both dynamic disk in Windows Server 2008 and basic disk, but avoid converting your system disk to dynamic. Although Windows Server 2008 built-in Disk Management tool can easily convert basic disk to dynamic, it is unable to convert dynamic back to basic disk.

How to convert dynamic disk to basic under Windows 2008

Windows Server 2008 built-in Disk Management utility is incompetent for converting disk back to basic disk without losing data. If you do not use 3rd party tool, you have to first delete all the volumes on the dynamic disk, then right click the disk in the MMC Disk Manager and select revert to basic disk. This process needs to back up data and restore data back which will take a large amount of time.

However,AOMEI Dynamic Disk Converter Server Edition is an excellent 3rd party software, which main purpose is to quickly convert dynamic disk to basic without losing data for Windows Server Operating Systems. It provides better data protection and minimizes machine downtime for Server users. The conversion process only takes 3~10 seconds when you use it in Windows 2008 system. The following is a screen shot for your reference:

Moreover, AOMEI Dynamic Disk Converter Server Edition can quickly convert/clone spanned volume,striped volumes, mirrored volume or RAID-5 volume on dynamic disk to basic disk partition. If there are only some simple volumes on a dynamic disk, the conversion software can well work on Server 2008 and safely (also supports Windows 7/8/Vista/XP and Server 2003/2000/2011/2012), directly, time-saving convert a dynamic disk to basic disk.

For Enterprise users, AOMEI Dynamic Disk Converter Unlimited Edition is recommended. It allows unlimited usage within one company to maximize business productivity whilst minimizing the total cost of management.

Buy AOMEI Dynamic Disk Converter

Download AOMEI Dynamic Disk Converter

Tips for Basic Disk Partition Management

After converting dynamic disk back to the basic disk in Windows 2008, Partition Magic Server - AOMEI Partition Assistant Server Edition can assist you managing basic disk partition.

Download AOMEI Partition Assistant