What Are Basic And Dynamic Disks?

The difference is explained on this page.

Both are different ways that Windows formats a disk. Here is the simplest explanation...

Basic Disk is the way disks "used to be" formatted from, From Windows 95 through Windows 7.

A Basic manages data with a single "primary partition." Many advanced users break a disk up into other fixed-length "logical partitons" for better performance or more logical management. Most users do not need this, however.

The biggest drawback to Basic Disks is that they have a 2 TB limit. The way a Basic Disk addresses data just will not allow it.

Dynamic Disks became popular for this reason. It can address more than 2 TB or data. Many home users, especially people who store videos, music or games on their PC rapidly hit the 2 TB limit.

Dynamic disks are also more flexibile. They allow IT staff to do useful things that were not allowed on Basic disks. For instance, if your C-drive is nearly full, you can add a second physical hard drive, but tell the system to allow the C-drive to "span" both physical drives. This is easier to use than the Basic Disk solution, which is to "mount" the new drive as a folder in the old drive.

However, must do not need it. But be aware that many new Windows 8 PC's are shipping with Dynamic Disks.

That said, if you need to determine what you have, I am pretty sure it's

• Start/ Control Panel
• Right-Click on "System"
• Select "Properties." This will bring up a system management console.
• Look for a selection that says something like "drives" or "storage" on the left-hand panel.
• If you click on your drive, it will show you if it is Basic or Dynamic.

Unfortunately, I am at the library on my Linux machine right now so cannot verify if my instructions are right. Hope this helps, Leo

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Cheers,
llLeoll | A+, Net+, MCP | http://securedrite.com/

"There is no mistake, but make" - John Cage