Can't Extend Volume or Extend Volume Not Available Windows Server 2022? (3 Fixes)

Introduction

There are several reasons why you might be unable to extend a volume on Windows Server 2022, including common scenarios like: the extend volume option is greyed out in Disk Management, or the recovery partition blocks the extend volume option... Below are several quick fixes for resolving the problem instantly, with or without data loss, using either built-in Windows tools or third-party software. Check them out and try them one by one.

Related Terms: Right adjacent unallocated space, NTFS partition, 2TB MBR disk max 4 partitions, same disk if without RAID control

Function Comparison (Extend volume for Server 2022)
	Disk Management	Diskpart	Partition Resizer*
Disk over 2TB with MBR disk	NO	NO
Disk under 2TB with MBR
Primary partition into Logical or reverse	NO	NO
Extend NTFS C drive
Extend FAT32 C drive	NO	NO
Extend volume by adding new disks with RAID	NO	NO
Move unallocated space or partition without data loss	NO	NO
Price	FREE	FREE	FREE
			Download for Windows 11-7 (100% Free) Download for Windows Server (Free Demo)

Windows Server 2022 Can't Extend Volume Solutions [3 Fixes]

Here are 3 solutions when you're unable to extend a volume on Server 2022, fixing the issue of 'Windows Server 2022 extend volume greyed out' instantly.

Solution 1: Creation of Adjoining Unallocated Space (Backup data first if needed)

Condition: Unallocated space is required on the right side of the drive you wish to extend.

Solution A: You need to delete a partition or delete the free space to create adjoining unallocated space.

Steps to Use:

Step 1: Backup the data on the partition that needs to be deleted. You may copy the data from the partition to an alternative or external disk volume. (If it's free space, you can right-click and delete it directly.)

Step 2: In Disk Management, find the volume or partition on the right, then select 'Delete Volume'.

Step 3: Click 'Yes' to confirm.

After completing these steps, you will find the unallocated space on the right side of the target drive that you want to expand.

Note: If the unallocated space is not adjacent to the target drive, you need to move the in-between volumes using IM-Magic Partition Resizer Server, without data loss, or you may continue deleting the in-between volumes to make all right space unallocated.

Solution B: Resize and move volumes without losing data to create unallocated space using IM-Magic Partition Resizer Server.

Step 1: Download Partition Resizer Server, install and open it. Create unallocated space by shrinking a large volume: Right-click the large volume and choose "Resize/Move."

Step 2: Move the border of the large drive from left to right to create unallocated space on the left side, or move the border left to create unallocated space on the right side.

Step 3: Right-click the C drive and choose "Resize/Move." Extend its right-side border to claim the unallocated space.

Step 4: Move the arrows to add the unallocated space to the C drive. Click the "Apply" button.

Note: The following image shows how to safely move partitions without losing data using IM-Magic Partition Resizer.

Note: IM-Magic Partition Resizer Server can help shrink Server 2022 volumes without losing data, expand Server 2022 NTFS/FAT32 volumes, move volumes, and also help clone disks, migrate OS, convert dynamic disks, convert primary partitions, and repair possible disk errors.

Also read: How to extend volume on Server 2022

Solution 2: Deleting the Recovery Partition (Fix the problem without software)

When the 'Windows Server 2022 cannot extend volume' issue occurs, it’s possible that a recovery partition is located between the unallocated space and the volume needing extension. A recovery partition provides a restore option in case of system failure. However, deleting it will remove all the data stored on your PC, which is not recommended. To avoid this, you can use the command-line tool in Command Prompt or Windows PowerShell.

Before proceeding, create a bootable disc or USB to ensure Windows Recovery can be completed if needed. This will protect your PC against data loss or OS corruption.

Steps to Use:

Step 1: Right-click on the Start button and select (Admin) Windows PowerShell. Alternatively, in the Start menu, type cmd.exe and select 'Run as administrator.'

Step 2: On the UAC pop-up, click 'Yes.'

Step 3: Run the following commands sequentially:

• diskpart: Loads the DiskPart utility.
• list disk: Lists all disks on the PC.
• Select disk [number]: Select the disk containing the recovery partition to be erased. Replace [number] with the actual disk number.
• list partition: Lists all partitions on the selected disk.
• Select partition [number]: Select the recovery partition to delete. Replace [number] with the actual partition number.
• delete partition override: Deletes the recovery partition.

Solution 3: Using a Compatible Format (Expand volume on Windows Server 2022 without software)

To extend a volume using built-in Windows Server 2022 tools, the volume must be in the NTFS format. You can format the volume using Disk Management, but this process will erase your data. Therefore, it’s recommended to back up your data before proceeding.

Steps to Use:

• Step 1: Open Disk Management, right-click on the partition, and select the 'Format' option.
• Step 2: In the 'Format' dialog, change the File System to NTFS.
• Step 3: Click 'OK.'

Reasons Windows Server 2022 Cannot Extend Volume in Disk Management

Sometimes, when you use an SSD or hard drive, you may encounter the 'Extend Volume' option in the Disk Management tool being unavailable. But why is the extend volume option greyed out or unavailable in Windows Server 2022? Let’s explore the reasons behind this issue:

No Unallocated Space, No Right-Side Unallocated Space, No Adjacent Right-Side Unallocated Space

	Disk Management	Diskpart	Partition Resizer*
No unallocated space or free space	NO	NO
No right-side unallocated space	NO	NO	Move unallocated space to the right side by moving the in-between partitions without losing data.
			Download for Windows 11-7 (100% Free) Download for Windows Server (Free Demo)

How to create unallocated space on the same disk with Partition Resizer? And how to move unallocated space anywhere with Partition Resizer.

• Step 1: Shrink a large volume (no data loss).
• Step 2: Move unallocated space to the right side of the target drive (no data loss). Right-click on the in-between partition, select "Resize/Move Partition," and move the entire volume left or right.

Free Space Not OK, Convert It to Unallocated Space

The 'Extend Volume' option will be disabled if there is free space on the adjacent right side because free space is not unallocated space.

Convert the free space to unallocated space by deleting it in Disk Management, Diskpart, or Partition Resizer.

Also read: How to convert free space to unallocated space

Not Supported File System (NTFS Supported, FAT32 or exFAT Not Supported)

If the target drive is a FAT32 drive, the 'Extend Volume' option will be disabled since only NTFS file system drives are supported.

Solution: Convert the FAT32 drive to NTFS using the convert ntfs command or a safe tool like Partition Resizer Server.

Note: The convert fs:ntfs command will not work on the boot drive (C:).

Also read: How to convert FAT32 to NTFS without losing data

GPT Disk Supported, MBR Disk Limited by Conditions

GPT disks are supported, but MBR disks have limitations: a maximum of 4 primary partitions and 2TB of disk capacity.

For a 4TB SSD or HDD initialized with MBR, the disk can only have partitions up to 2TB, leaving the remaining 2TB as unallocated space. This unallocated space cannot be added to any partition due to the MBR disk limit.

	Disk Management	Diskpart	Partition Resizer*
Disk over 2TB with MBR disk	NO	NO
Disk under 2TB with MBR
Primary into Logical	NO	NO
Extend ntfs C drive
Move unallocated space or partition	NO	NO
Price	FREE	FREE	FREE
			Download for Windows 11-7 (100% Free) Download for Windows Server (Free Demo)

Solution: Convert Disk from MBR to GPT with Partition Resizer

Also read: Convert disk from MBR to GPT without losing data

Recovery Partition in the Way, Move It or Delete It?

When a recovery partition is located between the C: drive and the unallocated space, it becomes impossible to extend the C: drive using Disk Management or DiskPart.

Solution 1: Move the Recovery Partition Safely and Extend C: Drive Using Partition Resizer Server

• 1. Download and install Partition Resizer, then open it.
• 2. Right-click the recovery partition in Partition Resizer and select "Resize/Move Partition."
• 3. Move the recovery partition to the right by dragging the entire volume when the cursor shows cross arrows. This will ensure no data loss.
• 4. Right-click the C: drive and select "Resize/Move Partition."
• 5. Drag the C: drive’s border to the right to claim the unallocated space.
• 6. Click "Apply" to finalize the changes. This will extend the C: drive successfully.

Note: The same steps apply when expanding other partitions with volumes between them.

Also read: How to Move Partitions Without Losing Data

Solution 2: Delete the Recovery Partition Using Disk Management or DiskPart Command

Deleting the recovery partition or any other partition that stands between the target drive and the unallocated space will enable the 'Extend Volume' option.

Also read: How to Delete Partition When 'Delete Volume' is Greyed Out

Other Information

Sometimes, when using an SSD or hard drive, the 'Extend Volume' option in the Disk Management tool may be greyed out. But why does this happen in Windows Server 2022? Let's look at the possible reasons:

1. No unallocated space is available on the disk.
2. On an MBR disk, you cannot extend the C: drive (primary partition) by shrinking the D: drive (logical partition).
3. The FAT32 file system cannot be extended, as only NTFS is supported for volume extension.
4. MBR disks have a maximum partition size of 2TB. If you initialize a 4TB hard drive, the remaining 2TB will be left as unallocated space. This space cannot be used to create new volumes or extend existing ones due to MBR's limitations.
5. No free space is available behind the partition you want to extend.
6. FAT partitions cannot be extended in Windows.
7. The partition size has reached the maximum limit (2TB) on the MBR disk.
8. The unallocated space is not adjacent to the drive you want to extend, making it impossible to extend the volume.

The issues mentioned above are primarily caused by the limitations of Disk Management. Below, we offer tips to troubleshoot and resolve these problems effectively.

Final Words

We hope you can resolve the 'Windows Server 2022 Extend Volume Greyed Out' issue using our suggested solutions. You can create adjoining unallocated space, move or delete the recovery partition, or use a compatible format to extend your partition. Be sure to back up your data before applying any of these solutions to avoid data loss. Ultimately, the choice of solution is yours, depending on your comfort level and technical expertise.