Quick Fix for Unable to Merge Hard Drives in Windows 11

It seems simple, but in reality, many people encounter errors when merging hard drives on Win 11. 

In the process of using the computer, sometimes we need to merge drives to have more memory capacity. In theory, merging hard drives is not too difficult. However, to do it, you need to have certain knowledge. If you do not learn carefully, it is entirely possible to encounter errors during the hard drive merging process.

In today's computer tips section , we will learn about the error of not being able to merge hard drives in Win 11. To be able to merge hard drives on Win 11 quickly and effectively, please refer to the following content.

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Where does the error of not being able to merge Win 11 hard drives come from?

As far as I know, there are many factors that can cause the hard drive merging process on Win 11 to be interrupted. Among them, the following causes are the most common.

1: The drives to be merged are not adjacent to each other.

2: The drives have different formats.

3: MBR drives are limited to 2TB capacity, so in some cases they cannot be merged.

4: The drive to be merged is a virtual drive.

5: The drives you want to merge are not on the same hard drive.

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Note: The above causes can also cause the error of not being able to merge Win 10 hard drives.

Instructions on how to merge Win 11 hard drives in Disk Management

Above, I have listed for you some of the reasons why you cannot merge hard drives in Win 11. Next, I will guide you through the simplest way to merge hard drives. To avoid errors when merging hard drives on Win 11, please follow the instructions below!

How to do it

1. Step 1 : Check if the partitions to be merged are next to each other. For example, the computer's hard drive is divided into 3 partitions, C, D, E. At this time, you can only merge drive D into drive C or drive E into drive D, but you cannot merge drive E into drive C.
2. Step 2 : Next, check if the drives you are using have the same format or not. If the partitions have different formats, you must convert them to the same format before you can continue with the remaining steps.

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1. B3 : Press Windows + X and select Disk Management in the list.
2. Step 4 : Put the drive in Unallocated state . If the drive is not in Unallocated state , it cannot be merged. To do this, right-click on the partition to be merged > select delete volume .
   1. Note: This operation will delete all data in the partition, so please back up your data carefully before doing it. If you want to merge drive D into drive C, just delete the volume (the remaining cases are similar).

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1. Step 5 : After successfully deleting the volume, the hard drive partition will turn black. Now right-click on the partition in front and select Extend Volume . For example, if you want to merge drive D into drive C, right-click on drive C and select Extend Volume.

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1. B6 : When the notifications appear, just click next continuously and finally click finish .

Instructions on how to merge Win 11 hard drives without losing data

In most cases, the hard drive merging process will require erasing the data in the hard drive partition. If you do not want to do this, you can also try the method below.

How to do it

1. Step 1 : Click on the link here to download and install EaseUS Partition Master Tool software.
2. Step 2 : Open the software, then select the drive you want to keep, right-click and select Merge . For example, if you want to merge drive D into drive C, click on drive C and select Merge.

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1. B3 : Select the neighboring drive and click ok to start merging data. In the example, it will be drive D.
2. B4 : Click the Execute Task button in the bottom corner of the screen.

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1. B5 : Finally, click Apply to complete the hard drive merging process.

Note: Theoretically, EaseUS Partition Master Tool can merge hard drives without losing data. However, to be safe, it is best to back up your data before doing so.

Instructions to merge 2 non-adjacent drives in Windows quickly and effectively

As mentioned above, if you merge hard drives in the usual way. The mandatory condition is that the 2 hard drive partitions must be next to each other. In case the 2 partitions are not next to each other, you can also use EaseUS Partition Master Tool software to merge hard drives like the instructions above.

With the information I just shared, I'm sure you will be able to fix the error of not being able to merge the Win 11 hard drive. However, if you are not too tech-savvy, try bringing your computer to a repair center for support!

Samuel Daniel

Update 27 September 2024