Hello colleagues, I have a problem. Well, a few days ago I decided to extend the D: partition on my computer. I bought two 6TB drives and plugged them in RAID1 in place of the previous 2TB drives. After all files have been synced, unfortunately the computer still shows me the 2TB partition...

It is a partition style issue, MBR supports disks up to max. 2TB, and above must be GPT style. Read about GPT on the net, but it must be supported by your CD.

Welcome. Drop the disk management screen.

In the attachment I am throwing two screenshots, one from the computer management, the other from the Intel Rapid program. My motherboard is Gigabyte Z97X-Gaming 5

I guess you didn't expand the capacity after rebuilding RAID 1. Sometimes there is no expand capacity option or something like that? It shows you 6TB disks and 2TB surface in the program.

The problem is that I approached the whole matter several times and extended it earlier, with this approach I actually forgot In any case, the extension does nothing, unfortunately. After initializing and loading the bar to 100%, still nothing. The Intel Rapid program sees this RAID1 with a capacity of ~ 6TB, but unfortunately the system itself does not. I have the impression that my colleague Jerzyf is right in this matter and it is a matter of partition style. I'm looking for information on how to do this. Do you have to format the system disk then? Maybe my colleagues will tell me more about how to properly carry out the entire process?

The link below has an article on how to convert a disk from MBR to GPT, but if this is applicable for RAID, I can't say.

Since you had 2TB disks and installed the system on MBR, you probably had Legacy mode in UEFI. To use 6TB, you first need to enable Secure Boot in UEFI.

I have Bios installed, not UEFI. I understand that installing UEFI is tantamount to reinstalling the entire system?

Replace Legacy / CSM mode with UEFI only Boot mode selection: UEFI Besides, you have UEFI DualBios Then disk conversion. Maybe you will be successful. If not, you will have to put the system up again.

Problem solved, thank you very much for your help!

Windows 10 PRO - 6TB RAID1 Drives Showing 2TB Partition: Disk Capacity Limitation or Error?

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#1 16779766 25 Oct 2017 22:55

jackobt jackobt

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16779766 25 Oct 2017 22:55

Hello colleagues, I have a problem. Well, a few days ago I decided to extend the D: partition on my computer. I bought two 6TB drives and plugged them in RAID1 in place of the previous 2TB drives. After all files have been synced, unfortunately the computer still shows me the 2TB partition capacity. The question is, do Windows 10 PRO have any limitations in this regard? Or maybe I am making a mistake somewhere?

Thanks in advance for any answers.
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#2 16779787 25 Oct 2017 23:03

dt1 dt1

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16779787 25 Oct 2017 23:03

Welcome. Drop the disk management screen.
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#3 16779799 25 Oct 2017 23:09

jerzyf jerzyf

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16779799 25 Oct 2017 23:09

It is a partition style issue, MBR supports disks up to max. 2TB, and above must be GPT style. Read about GPT on the net, but it must be supported by your CD.
#4 16779819 25 Oct 2017 23:25

jackobt jackobt

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16779819 25 Oct 2017 23:25

In the attachment I am throwing two screenshots, one from the computer management, the other from the Intel Rapid program.

My motherboard is Gigabyte Z97X-Gaming 5

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#5 16781315 26 Oct 2017 19:35

mati211p mati211p

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16781315 26 Oct 2017 19:35

I guess you didn't expand the capacity after rebuilding RAID 1. Sometimes there is no expand capacity option or something like that? It shows you 6TB disks and 2TB surface in the program.
#6 16781789 26 Oct 2017 22:43

jackobt jackobt

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16781789 26 Oct 2017 22:43

The problem is that I approached the whole matter several times and extended it earlier, with this approach I actually forgot In any case, the extension does nothing, unfortunately. After initializing and loading the bar to 100%, still nothing. The Intel Rapid program sees this RAID1 with a capacity of ~ 6TB, but unfortunately the system itself does not.

I have the impression that my colleague Jerzyf is right in this matter and it is a matter of partition style. I'm looking for information on how to do this. Do you have to format the system disk then? Maybe my colleagues will tell me more about how to properly carry out the entire process?
#7 16781887 26 Oct 2017 23:24

jerzyf jerzyf

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16781887 26 Oct 2017 23:24

The link below has an article on how to convert a disk from MBR to GPT, but if this is applicable for RAID, I can't say.
https://www.download.net.pl/jak-przekonwertowac-dysk-mbr-na-gpt-bez-utraty-danych/n/4471/
#8 16781967 27 Oct 2017 00:23

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16781967 27 Oct 2017 00:23

Since you had 2TB disks and installed the system on MBR, you probably had Legacy mode in UEFI. To use 6TB, you first need to enable Secure Boot in UEFI.

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#9 16782210 27 Oct 2017 09:16

jackobt jackobt

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16782210 27 Oct 2017 09:16

I have Bios installed, not UEFI. I understand that installing UEFI is tantamount to reinstalling the entire system?
#10 16783877 27 Oct 2017 23:51

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16783877 27 Oct 2017 23:51

Replace Legacy / CSM mode with UEFI only
Boot mode selection: UEFI
Besides, you have UEFI DualBios

Then disk conversion. Maybe you will be successful.
If not, you will have to put the system up again.

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#11 16783884 27 Oct 2017 23:54

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16783884 27 Oct 2017 23:54

Secure boot is not at all necessary for UEFI operation or GPT support.
#12 16800445 04 Nov 2017 13:19

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16800445 04 Nov 2017 13:19

Problem solved, thank you very much for your help!
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#13 16800577 04 Nov 2017 14:32

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16800577 04 Nov 2017 14:32

Can you write how? This solution may be useful to someone in the future.
#14 16800592 04 Nov 2017 14:41

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16800592 04 Nov 2017 14:41

I used AOMEI Dynamic Disk Manager Pro Edition and then turned on the assistant of this particular partition management program. With one button I changed the partition style to MBR. I haven't lost any data and the system finally sees 6TB.
#15 16800603 04 Nov 2017 14:45

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16800603 04 Nov 2017 14:45

Thanks for presenting the solution
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Topic summary

✨ The discussion revolves around a user experiencing a partition capacity issue after upgrading to two 6TB drives configured in RAID1 on a Windows 10 PRO system. Despite the drives being recognized by the Intel Rapid program, the operating system only displays a 2TB partition. Responses indicate that the problem is likely due to the partition style being MBR, which supports a maximum of 2TB, necessitating a switch to GPT for larger drives. The user confirmed that they were using Legacy BIOS mode, which requires enabling UEFI to utilize the full capacity of the drives. Ultimately, the user resolved the issue by using AOMEI Dynamic Disk Manager Pro Edition to convert the partition style without data loss, allowing the system to recognize the full 6TB capacity.
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FAQ

TL;DR: Windows shows only 2 TB on 6 TB RAID1 because MBR tops out at ~2 TB; “MBR supports disks up to max. 2TB.” [Elektroda, jerzyf, post #16779799]

Why it matters: This FAQ helps Windows 10 users fix 6 TB RAID1 volumes stuck at 2 TB by choosing the right partition style and settings.

Typical cause: legacy MBR partitioning on the RAID volume; switch to GPT to use full capacity. [Elektroda, jerzyf, post #16779799]
Secure Boot is not required for GPT or UEFI operation on Windows 10. [Elektroda, dt1, post #16783884]
Intel Rapid Storage may show ~6 TB while Windows still mounts only 2 TB if the volume remains MBR. [Elektroda, jackobt, post #16781789]
User-confirmed fix: convert the RAID volume’s partition style using AOMEI; no data loss reported. [Elektroda, jackobt, post #16800592]

Quick Facts

Symptom: Windows 10 shows a 2 TB D: drive after swapping to 2×6 TB RAID1, despite RAID utility reporting ~6 TB. [Elektroda, jackobt, post #16781789]
Root cause: MBR partition style limits usable capacity to ~2 TB; GPT removes this limit on modern systems. [Elektroda, jerzyf, post #16779799]
Boot settings: UEFI mode is fine for GPT; Secure Boot specifically is unnecessary. [Elektroda, dt1, post #16783884]
Alternative gotcha: RAID array may also need an “Expand/Increase capacity” step in the controller utility. [Elektroda, mati211p, post #16781315]
Field result: Converting the partition style with AOMEI Dynamic Disk Manager restored the full ~6 TB, data intact. [Elektroda, jackobt, post #16800592]

Why does my 6 TB RAID1 show only a 2 TB partition in Windows 10?

Your RAID volume is partitioned as MBR. MBR caps addressable space at about 2 TB, so Windows mounts only 2 TB even if the RAID utility shows ~6 TB. Convert the volume to GPT to unlock full capacity. “MBR supports disks up to max. 2TB.” [Elektroda, jerzyf, post #16779799]

Is this a Windows 10 Pro limitation?

No. Windows 10 Pro supports large disks. The limitation comes from using MBR on the RAID volume. Switching the volume to GPT enables the full 6 TB to be used by Windows. [Elektroda, jerzyf, post #16779799]

Do I need Secure Boot to use GPT or UEFI?

No. Secure Boot is not required for GPT or UEFI operation. You can use GPT volumes without enabling Secure Boot. “Secure boot is not at all necessary for UEFI operation or GPT support.” [Elektroda, dt1, post #16783884]

My Intel Rapid Storage shows ~6 TB, but Windows still shows 2 TB—why?

The RAID controller reports the physical capacity, but Windows reads the partition table. If the volume is MBR, Windows exposes only 2 TB. Convert the volume to GPT, then extend the partition. [Elektroda, jackobt, post #16781789]

How do I fix the 2 TB cap and keep my data?

Users reported success converting the partition style with AOMEI Dynamic Disk Manager Pro and retaining data. After conversion, Windows recognized ~6 TB. Always back up first. “With one button I changed the partition style… and the system finally sees 6TB.” [Elektroda, jackobt, post #16800592]

Step-by-step: convert and extend the RAID1 volume?

Back up important data, then open a partition manager that supports style conversion.
Convert the RAID volume’s partition style as guided by the tool.
In Windows Disk Management, extend the partition to use all unallocated space. A user confirmed this restored the full ~6 TB without data loss. [Elektroda, jackobt, post #16800592]

Do I need to reinstall Windows to use drives over 2 TB?

Not necessarily. If the affected drive is a data volume (e.g., D:), converting its partition style and then extending it can avoid reinstalling. A user reported no data loss after conversion. [Elektroda, jackobt, post #16800592]

What if my RAID utility still shows only 2 TB usable after swapping disks?

Some controllers require a manual “Expand/Increase capacity” on the mirror after replacing smaller disks. Check the RAID utility for an expand option, then rescan in Windows. [Elektroda, mati211p, post #16781315]

Do I need to switch BIOS from Legacy/CSM to UEFI?

For booting from GPT system disks, UEFI-only mode helps. One participant advised setting Boot mode to UEFI and then converting the disk; otherwise reinstall may be needed. [Elektroda, PitD, post #16783877]

How can I verify my partition style in Windows?

Open Disk Management and inspect the disk properties and volume layout. A helper requested a Disk Management screenshot to diagnose capacity issues, which is a standard first step. [Elektroda, dt1, post #16779787]

What is RAID1 in simple terms?

RAID1 mirrors data across two drives. Usable capacity equals one drive’s size, so 2×6 TB in RAID1 yields ~6 TB before formatting and metadata overhead. This aligns with what the user’s RAID utility reported. [Elektroda, jackobt, post #16781789]

What are MBR and GPT?

MBR and GPT are partition table formats. MBR dates back decades and addresses about 2 TB. GPT is the modern format and supports larger disks safely on current systems. Choose GPT for 6 TB arrays. [Elektroda, jerzyf, post #16779799]

Can converting partition style corrupt my data?

Any disk operation carries risk. Back up first. In this thread, the user reported a successful style conversion with no data loss using AOMEI. Edge case: power loss mid-conversion could require recovery. [Elektroda, jackobt, post #16800592]

After conversion, Windows still doesn’t use all space—what next?

Open Disk Management and extend the partition into unallocated space. If extend is unavailable, recheck the RAID utility for capacity expansion or a pending rebuild. [Elektroda, mati211p, post #16781315]

Which tools were mentioned that worked?

AOMEI Dynamic Disk Manager Pro Edition was used to change the partition style and expose the full ~6 TB, per the original poster’s confirmation. [Elektroda, jackobt, post #16800592]

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