How To Convert Logical Drive to Primary Partition

Part 1. What Are Logical and Primary Partitions?

Logical and primary partitions are pretty similar to each other, as both are used to store data on the disk. However, there can be only a maximum of four primary partitions on a disk, whereas the number of logical partitions can be unlimited.

There is a distinction in data storage, as you can observe from the image above. Only the primary partitions are capable of storing the OS boot data. Thus, you can have four primary partitions with four separate bootable OS. On the other hand, logical partitions store data like multimedia files and applications.

Regardless of what kind of system you operate, you must have at least one primary partition to run an OS.

Part 2. Why May You Need to Convert Logical to Primary Partition?

Several scenarios require you to convert logical partition to primary. Some of the most prominent ones include:

Part 3. How To Change Logical Drive to Primary Partition

You can convert a logical drive to a primary partition in several ways. If you have a Windows PC, you can either use DiskPart through Command Prompt or third-party software. You can understand more about those methods below.

Method 1: Convert Logical Drive to Primary Partition Using DiskPart (Data Loss)

DiskPart is a built-in utility feature of every Windows version that you can use for the logical to primary partition conversion in a command-based interface. You can follow the below-mentioned procedure for the same.

Step 1. Click the "Search" button and input the command prompt. Next, right-click "Command Prompt" and choose "Run as Administrator."

Step 2. Type diskpart and press Enter button.

Step 3. Type the following commands in order and hit Enter after each command.

list disk

select disk n (Replace ‘n’ with the number of the disk that contains the logical partition you need to convert to primary partition)

list partition

select partition x (Replace ‘x’ with the number of the logical partition you want to convert)

delete partition (this command will delete all the data saved on the selected logical partition and make it unallocated space)

create partition primary

You can then verify the partitions by using the list disk command. Finally, if all is according to your requirements, you can type in exit and press Enter to quit DiskPart and finish the logical to primary partition conversion process.

Method 2: Convert Logical Drive to Primary Partition Without Data Loss

DiskPart is an easily available tool, but the command-line interface can prove troublesome for several users. Moreover, if you have a single typo, it can crash the entire drive with no chance of recovery. That's why you might require a third-party assistant.

One reliable software you can utilize is AOMEI Partition Assistant Standard. It has a graphical interface that can make you do in a few clicks the same function that requires multiple commands on DiskPart. The best advantage you gain is that you can choose to retain all your data post the logical to primary conversion. Still, you should prepare your system for a lengthier process.

You can follow the steps mentioned below to utilize AOMEI Partition Assistant Standard to convert a logical drive to primary partition on your PC.

Step 1. Download and install the AOMEI Partition Assistant Standard version suitable for your OS.

Step 2. Launch the program. The opening dialog box shall display all the available drives on your system.

Step 3. Right-click on the drive you want to convert from logical to primary and drag the pointer to 'Advanced.’

Step 4. That will open a drop-down menu next to the drive. Next, click on 'Convert to Primary.’

Step 5. Next, another box will pop up, letting you decide whether to retain or wipe all the data. Choose the preferred action from the dialog box and select OK.

Step 6. Click on Apply in the top pane and wait for the process to conclude.

Typically, AOMEI Partition Assistant is swift with its operation. However, should you run into any issues, you can contact the 24/7 available customer support or any helpful forums to tackle them.

You can even use the software to convert a primary partition to a logical partition. Here are a few conditions that may tempt you to do that.

Part 4. How To Recover Lost Data if You Encounter Data Loss After the Conversion

It helps to ensure that you back up all the data on the drive before you convert the logical drive to the primary partition. Nevertheless, if you fail to do it, there are methods you can utilize to retrieve all the essential data. There is several third-party software available online, but you can surely rely on Wondershare Recoverit to maximize your chances for recovery, as it has been selected as the Leader in data recovery by G2 users.

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An intuitive interface that lets you preview the files before recovery. No payment is required if the files are unrecoverable.

To recover any data lost in the partition conversions, follow the process mentioned below.

Step 1. Select the Data Loss Location

Open the program and select the drive which you want to recover the data from. Then, click Start to begin the scanning of the selected drive.

Step 2. Scan for Lost Data

Recoverit will search for the deleted or lost data in the selected drive. Once the scan concludes, you can preview the files you want to retrieve.

Step 3. Recover Your Desired Files

Click the Recover button at the bottom. You can also choose the location where to retrieve the files.

Wait for the process to finish. Once complete, you can view the recovered files in your designated location.

Summing Up

Depending on your needs, there are several methods to change the logical partition to primary. We hope this guide provides you with new insights and troubleshooting solutions that prove effective. You can leave your thoughts in the comments below for any burning queries.