How to merge partitions on external Drive

[Cpt.Fox]

I removed an HDD from a notebook which had W8 OS so I could format it and use as back up, but I couldn't because it has 3 partitions and it wont let me format the partition in the middle and merge the rest, and if I try to extend the first one it shows an error message about dynamic disk. Do you know how to merge all partitions in this case?

 

[Jetster]

Use the DISKPART command

If you don't know how just watch a video. You can completely wipe the drive and create a new partition. Which is the best way. You don't want that boot sector remaining

Another alternative that works is to use a windows install with just that drive attached. You can remove the partitions from the custom install menu

 

[xrobwx71]

I use Minitool Partition Wizard. (free)

 

[Athlonite]

Aomei partition assistant is another good one if you don't want to frig round with cmd line use of diskpart

 

[ThrashZone]

Hi,
You don't format a partition you format the drive which is mbr already limit is four partitions before it changes the disk to dynamic which is not good.

Free mini tool is good just click on each partition and click on delete or right click each partition and delete.

Then right click the disk format gpt or leave it as mbr then create a single partition if you wish too then apply.

Edit make sure you don't want any personal files first
If you do take ownership of the disk first and retrieve those files mini tool also shows Merge option on right click menu if that is truly your objective.

Add Take Ownership to Context Menu in Windows 10

How to Add Take Ownership to Context Menu in Windows 10

www.tenforums.com

 

[Athlonite]

Hi,
You don't format a partition you format the drive which is mbr already limit is four partitions before it changes the disk to dynamic which is not good.

Free mini tool is good just click on each partition and click on delete or right click each partition and delete.

Then right click the disk format gpt or leave it as mbr then create a single partition if you wish too then apply.

that's the wrong way round you must first create a partition before you can format it whether it be MBR or GPT type partitions and then you can format them to NTFS

 

[TheLostSwede]

I removed an HDD from a notebook which had W8 OS so I could format it and use as back up, but I couldn't because it has 3 partitions and it wont let me format the partition in the middle and merge the rest, and if I try to extend the first one it shows an error message about dynamic disk. Do you know how to merge all partitions in this case?

Since you managed to get disk management up and running already (as per your second screenshot), you can simply use that. Right click on the partitions and delete them, then create a new single partition which you can then format.

 

[newtekie1]

Use the DISKPART command

Exactly this. Just select the drive using DISKPART and run a Clean command and it will wipe the drive.

You don't format a partition you format the drive

No, you format the partition. You select the partition table type when you initialize the drive, that is when you pick MBR or GPT. That isn't formatting the drive, that's just selecting the partition table type. You then create a partition and format that partition with a file system(NTFS, FAT, exFAT, EXT and so on).

 

[ThrashZone]

Hi,
Partitions are already ntfs there is no need to format them further
Delete and move on is the only question why not instead of merging anything.

 

[newtekie1]

Hi,
Partitions are already ntfs there is no need to format them further
Delete and move on is the only question why not instead of merging anything.

Stop talking, you have no idea how this works.

 

[lexluthermiester]

Since you managed to get disk management up and running already (as per your second screenshot), you can simply use that. Right click on the partitions and delete them, then create a new single partition which you can then format.

This! It really is that simple. Any partition management utility can do so.

Hi,
Partitions are already ntfs there is no need to format them further
Delete and move on is the only question why not instead of merging anything.

Incorrect. The OP does not care about the data in the partitions or they would have said so. Deleting all of the existing multiple partitions and creating one new single partition is the easiest and fastest method.

Stop talking, you have no idea how this works.

You be nice.

 

[Jetster]

People are funny about diskpart. It's not that hard to use and its a powerful command. I feel like a God when I use it Haha. No need to download anything

 

[ThrashZone]

Incorrect. The OP does not care about the data in the partitions or they would have said so. Deleting all of the existing multiple partitions and creating one new single partition is the easiest and fastest method.

Hi,
I already stated delete them or merge with free mini tool but you didn't quote that post.

 

[95Viper]

Play nice, people.
Keep it on topic and stop the drama.

Thank You.

 

[Caring1]

I removed an HDD from a notebook which had W8 OS so I could format it and use as back up, but I couldn't because it has 3 partitions and it wont let me format the partition in the middle and merge the rest, and if I try to extend the first one it shows an error message about dynamic disk. Do you know how to merge all partitions in this case?

Right click and delete the first two, extend the last partition as it won't allow you to extend the first two.

 

[Cpt.Fox]

couldn't delete the middle partition using disk management so i used cmd, then diskpart , select disk, clean all, and it worked. i selected GPT partition type and then formated the drive as usual, now disk status shows as active primary partition. Do you know the difference between Basic Data Partition and Primary partition?
Thanks amigos!

 

[Jetster]

Good job, Pri partition is for your OS, data partition for data. But it will work ether way. You can change it in the Device manager