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

Introduction

There are several causes for it's unable to extend volume on Windows Server 2022, usually with scenarios: extend volume greyed out in disk management, recovery partition blocked extend volume... Here are serveral quick fixes for resolving the problem instantly with or without data loss by using Windows built-in tool or third party software. Check them out and try 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 (Free) Download for Windows Server (Trial)

Windows Server 2022 can't extend volume solutions [3 fixes]

Here are 3 solutions when it's unable to extend volume on server 2022 and fix the issue of 'Windows Server 2022 extend volume greyed out' instantly.

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

Condition: unallocated space is needed on the right side of the drive that you wish to extend.

SolutionA: You need to delete a partition or delete the free space to create an adjoining unallocated space.

Steps to Use:

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

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 at the right side of your target drive that you want to expand.

Note: If the unallocated space is not adjacent to the target drive, you need to move the inbetween volumes with tool IM-Magic Partition Resizer Server, no data loss, or you may continue deleting the inbetween volumes to make all right space unallocated.

SolutionB: Resize volumes and move volumes without losing data to create unallocated space with IM-Magic Partition Resizer Server.

Step 1: Download Parition Resizer Server, install and open it. Produce 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 and produce free space unallocated at the left side of the large volume, or you may move the border left forward and then the unallocated space will be created at the right side of the large volume.

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

Step 4: Proceed with moving the arrows to add the unallocated volume to the C drive. Tap on the "Apply" button.

Note: This following image show how to safely move partitions without losing data with 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 without losing data, move volumes without losing data, what's more, it can also help clone disk, migrate OS, convert disk dynamic, convert partition primary, repair possible errors on disks etc.

Also read: how to extend volume on server 2022

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

When 'Windows Server 2022 cannot extend volume' issue occured, it's possible that there is 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 (Expand volume on server 2022 without software)

For extending a volume with Windows server 2022 built-in tools, the volume can only be the NTFS partition. 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.'

Reasons For Windows Server 2022 unable to extend volume 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 can't expand volume or extended volume greyed out in Windows Server 2022?

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 into 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 partition 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 partition
• 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 partition 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.

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.