Why Extend Volume Greyed out on Windows Server 2022? (3 Fixs)

Introduction

Windows Server 2022 extend volume greyed out in disk management issue occurs due to various reasons. So we are up for providing quick fixes for resolving the problem instantly. Check them out and try one by one.

Reasons For Windows Server 2022 extend volume greyed out in Disk Management

Sometimes you may notice an error when you use an SSD or hard drive. It may bring you to the 'Extend Volume' option in the Disk Management tool. But why does the extended volume error greyed out in Windows Server 2022 occur?

Let us find the reasons behind the issue as under:

No unallocated spaces, no right side unallocated spaces, no adjacent right side unallocated spaces

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

How to produce unallocated space on the same disk with Partition Resizer? And move unallocated space anyware with Partition Resizer.

• Step1: Shrink a large volume as the first step. (No data loss)
• Step2: Move unallocated space to the right side of the target drive (No data loss) by right clicking the in-between partition, and select RESIZE/MOVE PARTITION, and then you can move the whole volume right/left side.

Free space not ok, convert it to unallocated space

Extend volume will be disabled if there is free space on its adjacent right side since free space is not unallocated space.

Converting the free space to unallocated space by deleting it in Disk Management or 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 will be disabled too since only NTFS file system drives are supported.

Solution: Convert the fat32 drive to NTFS with convert ntfs cmd or safe tool Partition Resizer Server.

Note: convert fs:ntfs cmd will not work on the boot drive of your computer. (Not working with c drive)

Also read: how to convert fat32 to ntfs without losing data

GPT Disk Supported, MBR Disk limits with conditions

GPT disk OK, MBR disk limitations with 4 primary partitions at most and 2TB max disk capacities.

For a 4TB SSD or HDD, when you initialize it MBR, the disk can be created with partitions 2TB max and unallocated space 2TB. It's not possible to add the unallocated space to the disk partitions no matter C D E G or any drive due to the limits of MBR disk.

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

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 there is recovery partition that stand between c drive and the unallocated space, it's not possible to extend c drive with disk management or diskpart.

Solution1: Move recovery partition safely, extend c with Partition Resizer Server

• 1, Download and install Partition Resizer, open it,
• 2, Right click the recovery partition in Partiton Resizer, go to Resize/Move Partition option
• 3, Move recovery partition right forward without losing data by dragging the whole volume right forward when the mouse shows cross arrows.
• 4, Right click c drive and go to option RESIZE/MOVE Partiton
• 5, Drag the c drive border right forward to claim the unallocated space
• 6, Click Apply changes to get every step applied in the software and then you will get the c drive extended.

Note: It's the same steps when you want to expand other partitions that have volumes stand in between.

Also read: how to move partitions without losing data

Solution2: Delete the recovery partition in Disk Management or using diskpart cmd

By deleting the recovery partiton or any partition that stand in between the target drive with the unallocated space would enable the extend volume.

Also read: how to delete partition when delete volume greyed out

Other Information

Sometimes you may notice an error when you use an SSD or hard drive. It may bring you to the 'Extend Volume' option in the Disk Management tool. But why does the extended volume error greyed out in Windows Server 2022 occur?

Let us find the reasons behind the issue as under;

1. There is no unallocated space on the disk.
2. You cannot extend the C drive (primary partition) by shrinking the D drive (logical partition) on an MBR disk.
3. You cannot extend the partition drive fat32 as NTFS is the only supporting file system.
4. One issue is that the maximum partition size on the MBR disk is 2TB. So, if you initialize a 4TB hard disk, you will see the rest 2TB space left as Unallocated. This left-out space cannot be recreated as a new volume nor extended to any other volume.
5. You do not have or cannot get any free space behind the partition you want to extend.
6. Your Windows PC cannot extend FAT partition format.
7. The maximum capacity of the partition has reached its limit 2TB on the MBR disk. You cannot extend it larger.
8. You cannot find any direct link between unallocated disk space and extendable volume. (The unallocated space is not at the right side of the drive you want to extend)

The issues mentioned earlier may occur because of limits posed by disk management. So we are offering some tips to use for troubleshooting the issue. These foxes will help you resolve the problem instantly.

Solutions To Try When Windows Server 2022 extend volume greyed out

Make use of the following solutions to resolve the issue of 'Windows Server 2022 extend volume greyed out' instantly.

Solution 1: Creation of Adjoining Unallocated Space

You need an unallocated space on the right side of the drive that you wish to extend. You need to delete a partition and create an adjoining unallocated space. Therefore, you must follow the steps for deleting a partition and creating unallocated space.

Steps to Use:

Step 1: Start by copying the data present in the partition on an alternative or external disk volume.

Step 2: Now, in Disk Management, look towards the right of the volume or partition, then select the 'Delete Volume' option.

Step 3: Now tap on 'Yes' to give a confirmation.

After completing the steps, you can find the unallocated space.

Solution 2: Deleting the Recovery Partition

Are you facing the 'Windows Server 2022 extend volume greyed out' issue? The issue may occur because of the recovery partition between unallocated space and volume needing an extension. You must note that a Recovery partition provides a restoring facility if any mishap occurs. However, it deletes all the data stored on your PC. which is not advisable. So, you can use the command-line tool in the console for Command Prompt or Windows Powershell.

Before proceeding with the steps, you must create a bootable disc or USB to complete Windows Recovery. It will help protect your PC against data loss or OS corruption.

Steps to Use:

Step 1: Make a right tap on the Start button and make a selection of (Admin) Windows Powershell. Alternatively, in the Start menu, write cmd.exe and make a selection 'Run as administrator.'

Step 2: Now, on the UAC pop-up, tap 'Yes.'

Step 3: Now you need to run the commands sequentially;

diskpart: Load the utility of the Disk Part.

List disk: Helps in listing the disks on the PC.

Select disk [number] - Select the recovery partition disk you wish to be erased, then replace [number] with the disk number.

List partition: Lists all the disk partitions available on the drive.

Select partition [number] - Now select recovery partitions, then replace [number] with the partition number.

Delete partition override - Deletes the recovery partition.

Solution 3: Using a Compatible Format

You need to use a compatible format for extending your partition. If you need to be informed, let us tell you that you can extend only the NTFS section. For example, you can use Disk Management for formatting volume in NTFS format. But if you do this, you will lose your data. So, it is preferable to take a backup of your data before you follow the steps.

Steps to Use

Step 1: Tap on Disk management, then make a right-tap on the partition. Make a selection of the 'Format' option.

Step 2: Now, on the 'Format' dialog, change File System to NTFS.

Step 3: Now tap on 'Ok.'

Final Words

We hope you resolve the 'Windows Server 2022 extend volume greyed out' issue with our suggested solutions. You can create adjoining unallocated space for making some space on the C drive. You can delete the partition for recovery using the command line if you are from a technical background. You can also use a compatible format for extending your partition to resolve the issue. It is your choice to go ahead with any of the above solutions. But, we advise you to back up your user data before opting for any solution.