How to Extend a Volume

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Last Review: August 6, 2010
Product(s): Storage Attached Network (SAN), Windows Server 2003 / 2008 / 2008 R2

It is easy to increase the size of a volume on a SAN interface, but another step is required so that Windows Server recognizes the change. Note, all SAN volumes should be Basic Disks (not Dynamic) in Disk Management. If not, you should create another volume and copy the data using Robocopy and remove the errant dynamic disk volume.

  1. Open Disk Management. You will see that a portion of the volume is unused.

  2. Open a Command Prompt. Disk Management should be visible in the background.

  3. Run Diskpart, list the volumes, select the desired volume number (not the disk number), and extend.
     
    diskpart
    list volumes
    select volume n
    extend

  4. Often if Disk Management is not displayed, the volume is not extended. Repeat the steps above making sure Disk Management is displayed in the background.