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Remove a Missing Dynamic Disk

  • Article

Applies To: Windows 7, Windows Server 2008 R2

A dynamic disk may become Missing when it is corrupted, powered down, or disconnected.

Backup Operators or Administrator is the minimum membership required.

Important

Do not delete the volumes from a missing dynamic disk unless you are certain that the disk will not be powered up, reconnected, repaired or otherwise returned to the computer. Otherwise, you will not be able to access those volumes when the disk is returned to the computer.

Removing a missing dynamic disk

  • Using the Windows interface

  • Using a command line

To remove a missing dynamic disk using the Windows interface

  1. In Disk Manager, right-click each volume on the dynamic disk marked Missing, and then click Delete Volume to remove all volumes on the Missing disk.

  2. Right-click the dynamic disk marked Missing, and then click Remove Disk.

To remove a missing dynamic disk using a command line

  1. Open a command prompt and type diskpart.

  2. At the DISKPART prompt, type list disk. Make note of the disk number you want to remove from the disk list. Missing disks are numbered M0, M1, M2, and so on.

  3. At the DISKPART prompt, type select disk <disknumber>.

  4. At the DISKPART prompt, type delete disk.

Value Description

list disk

Displays a list of disks and information about them, such as their size, amount of available free space, whether the disk is a basic or dynamic disk, and whether the disk uses the master boot record (MBR) or GUID partition table (GPT) partition style. The disk marked with an asterisk (*) has focus.

select diskdisknumber

Selects the specified disk, where disknumber is the disk number, and gives it focus.

delete disk

Deletes a missing dynamic disk from the disk list.

Additional references