How to open Disk Management on Windows 10

Helps you create partitions for each drive

Windows 10

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by Srishti Sisodia 

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Disk Management is a system utility app on Windows 10 that can perform advanced storage operations. It shows details for every drive on your PC and all partitions for each drive. Here, we will discuss how to open Disk Management utility and talk briefly about the functions of this system utility.

How can I open Disk Management on Windows 10?

1. Using the Power User menu

  1. Press Windows + X to open the Power User menu.Disk Management open Windows 10
  2. From the options available, select Disk Management to open the Disk Management app.

2. Using the Run dialog box

  1. Press Windows + R to open the Run window.Disk management run window - Windows 10 open
  2. Type diskmgmt.msc and click OK to open the Disk Management app.

3. Using the Control Panel app

  1. Press the Windows key and type control panel in the search box.Control Panel - Windows 10 disk management open
  2. In the Control Panel app, select View by as Category, then click System and Security.System and security
  3. Click Administrative Tools.Administrative tools
  4. Double-click the Computer Management option.Computer management - open disk management Windows 10
  5. From the left pane, select Storage, then click Disk Management.Disk Management

4. Using the search menu

  1. Press the Windows key and type disk management in the search box.Open Disk Management Windows 10
  2. Select Create and format hard disk partitions to open the Disk Management app.

5. Using Command Prompt

  1. Press Windows + R to open the Run window.diskmgmt.msc
  2. Type cmd and press Ctrl + Enter to open Command Prompt with administrative privileges.cmd - diskmgmt.msc
  3. In the command prompt window,  type diskmgmt.msc and press Enter.

What can I do using Disk Management?

On Disk Management, you can

  • Set up a new drive – You can replace or get a new drive; you need to initialize it before using it on your PC.
  • Convert MBR disk partition to GPT or vice versa.
  • Change a dynamic disk to a basic one.
  • Extend the basic volume.
  • Shrink a partition or basic volume.
  • Change or assign a new drive letter.
  • Manage virtual disk – You can enable the creation and attachment of VHD.
  • Check the disk properties.
  • Manage basic volumes, including shrinking, extending, deleting, and formatting a volume
  • Set partition as active.
  • Create a simple volume.

If the disk management app is not loading or you have issues extending or shrinking a partition on Windows 10, check out these articles for solutions.

However, suppose you want to perform advanced disk or partition tasks, such as operating system migration, disk/partition copy, partition recovery, and more. In that case, you need a third-party disk management app.

What do you use Disk Management on Windows 10 for? Share your thoughts with our readers in the comments section below.

More about the topics: windows 10

Srishti Sisodia

Srishti Sisodia Shield

Windows Software Expert

Srishti Sisodia is an electronics engineer and writer with a passion for technology. She has extensive experience exploring the latest technological advancements and sharing her insights through informative blogs. Her diverse interests bring a unique perspective to her work, and she approaches everything with commitment, enthusiasm, and a willingness to learn. That's why she's part of Windows Report's Reviewers team, always willing to share the real-life experience with any software or hardware product. She's also specialized in Azure, cloud computing, and AI.