Resolve "Delete Volume" Grayed Out in Disk Management on Windows 7/8/10/11

is an inherent feature of the Windows operating system that allows us to manage all disk-based data. Occasionally, the "Delete Volume" option appears grayed out in Disk Management, preventing users from deleting volumes or removing partitions from the disk. This guide is dedicated to addressing this issue, exploring the reasons behind it and providing solutions to overcome it.

"Why Is Delete Volume Greyed Out?"

If you're encountering a "Delete Volume Greyed Out" issue on your Windows computer, you might be puzzled as to why this occurs. Even after deleting all files within the partition, the issue persists, and the disk still appears occupied.

Well, here are the most common reasons that cause these errors:

1. Operating System files: The Delete Volume option will be disabled if the partition you're trying to delete contains the operating system files.
2. Page file: Page files store the data currently in the RAM, and these hidden files are saved on a specific volume of the hard disk. If there's a page file present in the RAM, you won't have the Delete Partition option available when attempting to delete that volume.
3. Virtual memory files: It's possible that virtual memory files are configured on the partition, which is why the Delete Volume option is grayed out.
4. Second partition on the USB drive: If the USB drive has a second partition, it cannot be deleted, and the Delete Volume options will be disabled. To fix the issue, you'll need to remove the second partition from the drive.

Now that you're acquainted with the root causes, let's explore the solutions to address it.

How to Resolve the Grayed Out "Delete Volume" Option

How do we tackle this issue? Well, here we'll delve into four methods to resolve it. So, let's discuss how to eliminate the root causes and get this feature functioning properly.

Method 1: Delete Partition Including System using Partition Master Tool

If you wish to delete the system partition, you'll need to create a Windows boot disk and then proceed to delete the system partition or C drive within WinPE. Thankfully, you can utilize a third-party utility - tools Partition Master for an all-in-one solution. This is a secure and user-friendly software that provides an excellent feature for deleting partitions, including the system partition.

There are two steps involved in deleting the system partition. Don't worry, we'll provide a detailed guide that even beginners can easily follow. Here are the steps:

Guide 1: Create a Bootable Drive

Step 1. To create a bootable disk of Partition Master, you'll need to prepare a storage medium such as a USB drive, flash drive, or a CD/DVD disc. Connect the drive to your computer properly.

Step 2. Launch AOMEI Partition Assistant, and locate the "Bootable Media" feature on the left side. Click on it.

Step 3. When the drive is available, you can select USB or CD/DVD. However, if you don't have a storage device on hand, you can also save the ISO file to a local drive and then burn it to a storage medium later. Once you've made your choice, click the "Create" button to start the process.

Check the Warning message and click "Yes".

Step 4. When the process is complete, a pop-up window will appear, asking if you want to restart your computer from the bootable USB.

• Reboot Now: This means you wish to restart the current computer and enter the Bootable Media tool to manage your disk partitions without an operating system.
• Done: This indicates that you do not want to restart the current PC but instead intend to use the bootable USB drive on a different computer.

Important: To use the bootable disk on a new PC, you need to restart the target computer and press F2/F8/Del keys to enter BIOS, then set the USB bootable disk as the first boot device.

Just be patient, your computer will automatically boot from the USB boot media and launch into the WinPE desktop tool.

Guide 2: Deleting System Partition in WinPE

Please note that this will delete all existing partitions on the system disk, including the operating system. Therefore, ensure you have backed up all crucial data beforehand.

Step 1. Launch AOMEI Partition Assistant, go to the Partition Manager section, right-click your OS disk and select "Delete All".

Step 2. Click "Yes" to confirm that you want to delete all partitions on the OS disk.

Step 3. Click "Execute * Task" and hit "Apply" to commence the deletion of all partitions with the operating system on the selected disk.

Note: Now, all you have to do is wait patiently as Partition Master automatically deletes the OS drive and other data partitions on your disk.

What Else Can Partition Master Tools Do?

MiniTool Partition Wizard is a powerful tool that can address various issues with disk partition. It offers numerous additional features, including:

• Delete NTFS partition
• Resize or move partitions
• Convert NTFS to FAT32 without data loss
• Extend the C drive to fix the "C drive is full" issue

Method 2: Delete Partition using Diskpart

The Diskpart command is a simple and widely used alternative for managing disks in Windows. This method relies on command lines and aids in enhancing the Input/Output (I/O) performance of hard disks. Many program documentation recommends utilizing Diskpart for creating and deleting partitions. Below are the steps to delete partitions using Diskpart:

Step 1: Go to the search box and type "Command Prompt." Click on the app to open it.

Step 2: Type "diskpart" in the Command Prompt and press "Enter" to execute it.

Step 3: Enter the following commands one at a time, and press "Enter" after each command.

Step 4: Type "exit" to return to the desktop.

Diskpart is a utility with numerous functionalities. However, caution must be exercised when inputting commands to avoid errors. It can also be utilized to delete all partitions.

How Do I Use DiskPart to Delete All Partitions in Windows? Your Guide Is Here

On this page, you'll learn what DiskPart is, its capabilities in Windows PCs, and how to use it to delete a partition or erase all partitions with the 'clean' command.

Method 3: Remove the Virtual Memory Partition

Virtual memory stores system files with the .SYS extension in the C-drive. These files, also referred to as pagefiles, serve to save data from applications and ongoing processes by storing information from the RAM. To decrease the Input/Output (I/O) load on the drive, you need to remove these files from the virtual memory partition. Here's how to do it: 1. Press the Windows key + R on your keyboard to open the Run dialog box. 2. Type "sysdm.cpl" in the dialog box and press Enter to open the System Properties. 3. In the System Properties window, click on the "Advanced" tab. 4. Under the "Advanced" tab, click on the "Settings" button located under the "Performance" section. 5. In the "Performance Options" window, click on the "Advanced" tab again. 6. Under the "Virtual Memory" section, click on the "Change" button. 7. In the "Virtual Memory" dialog box, you'll see the current partitions and their settings. Uncheck the "Automatically manage paging file size for all drives" option. 8. Select the drive where your virtual memory is currently stored (usually the C: drive) and choose "No paging file" from the drop-down menu. 9. Click "Set" to apply the changes. 10. A warning message may appear, informing you about the risks of disabling the pagefile. If you're sure you want to proceed, click "Yes." 11. Finally, click "OK" to close all windows and apply the changes. After following these steps, the virtual memory partition will be removed, potentially reducing the I/O load on your drive. However, it's important to note that disabling virtual memory could impact system stability, especially if your RAM is insufficient. It's recommended to have a sufficient amount of RAM and only disable the pagefile if you have specific performance requirements or guidance from an expert.

Step 1: Go to the search box and type "advanced system settings". Click on it to launch.

Step 2: Choose the "View advanced system settings" option.

Step 3: Tap on the "Advanced" menu, and click the "Settings" button under "Performance."

Choose the provided settings to eliminate the virtual partition.

Step 4: Click on the "Advanced" tab and then choose the "Change" button under the "Virtual Memory" section.

Step 5: On the "Virtual Memory" menu, uncheck the "Automatically manage paging file size for all drives" checkbox.

Step 6: Select the "Custom size" option from the list and enter the minimum and maximum size of the Pagefile in megabytes (MB).

Step 7: Click "No paging file," then "Set," and then "OK."

Once it's done, restart your computer.

Method 4: Create a New Volume to Delete Partitions within the Extended Partition

You can create a New Volume to make use of the grayed-out space from deleted partitions. Follow these steps: 1. Open Disk Management on your computer. This can typically be done by right-clicking on the Windows Start button and selecting "Disk Management" from the context menu, or by searching for it in the Start menu. 2. In the Disk Management window, locate the unallocated space that corresponds to the deleted partition. It should appear as a grayed-out area on the disk map. 3. Right-click on the unallocated space, and from the drop-down menu, select "New Simple Volume." 4. A New Simple Volume Wizard will appear. Click "Next" to proceed with the setup. 5. Assign a drive letter to the new volume if it's not already assigned. You can choose any available letter from the list, or select "Assign the next available drive letter" if you prefer. 6. Choose the size of the new volume. By default, it will likely select all the available unallocated space. If you want to resize it, enter the desired size in megabytes (MB) or leave it at the default value. Click "Next" to continue. 7. Select the file system you want to format the new volume with, such as NTFS, FAT32, or exFAT. Choose the allocation unit size, which is usually best left at the default. You can also choose to format the volume immediately or after a delay. Click "Next." 8. Review your settings in the summary screen, then click "Finish" to create the new volume. The process may take a few moments, depending on the size of the volume. Once completed, the grayed-out space will be transformed into a functional volume with a designated drive letter, ready for use.

Step 1: In the Search bar, type "Create and format hard disk partitions," and click on it to open.

Step 2: Right-click on the "Free space" and select "Create New Volume."

Step 3: Confirm the changes.

Step 4: Right-click the newly created volume, and you'll now find the option to Delete Volume or Delete Partition.

Right-click the volume and select "Delete Partition" from the context menu:

In this article, we have addressed the issue of the "Delete Volume" option being grayed out. If you have encountered other problems with Disk Management, click the button below to explore solutions.

Conclusion

Lastly, the article concludes upon resolving your issue. Having grasped all the causes and remedies, you are now equipped to rectify the "Delete Volume Greyed Out" issue on your Windows PC. You have four distinct solutions at your disposal, and you may opt for the one that best suits your requirements. Kindly leave a comment to inform us which method proved successful in solving your problem. If you found the article helpful, feel free to share it as well.

FAQ: "Delete Volume" Option Greyed Out

We hope this article has equipped you with all the necessary information to resolve the issue of the "Delete Volume" option being greyed out. However, if you still have further queries, please refer to our FAQ section.

1. Can't delete disk volume?

If you're unable to delete the disk volume or the "Delete Volume" option appears disabled in Disk Management, it might be due to the following reasons: 1. There are Page files present on the volume you wish to delete. These could include operating system files or multiple virtual memory files. To proceed with deleting the disk volume, you'll need to remove all these files first. To resolve this issue, follow these steps: a. Open the Command Prompt as an administrator. b. Type `powercfg /h off` and press Enter. This command disables the hibernation feature and removes the hibernation file (hiberfil.sys), which is a type of Page file. c. Restart your computer. d. Now, check if the "Delete Volume" option is available in Disk Management. If the issue persists, you might also need to disable System Protection and clear the System Restore points: a. Go to Control Panel > System > System Protection. b. Select the drive you want to modify and click "Configure." c. Choose "Turn off system protection" and click "Apply." d. Restart your computer and try deleting the volume again. After performing these steps, if the volume still can't be deleted, there might be other system-related files or the volume could be set as a system, boot, or pagefile volume. In such cases, you may need to consider using alternative methods or seeking professional assistance to safely remove the volume.

2. How do I enable deleting a volume in Disk Management?

If you're unable to use the "Delete Volume" function in Disk Management, you can utilize a tool like Partition Master to delete partitions or resolve the issue by following these steps:

Step 1. Press Windows + R and type "sysdm.cpl" in the dialog box.

Step 2. Go to the "Advanced" tab, and click the "Settings" button under the Performance section.

Step 3. Click "Advanced" from the menu and select "Change."

Step 4. Uncheck the "Automatically manage paging file size for all drives" box, and then click "No Page File."

3. How do I resolve the grayed-out extended volume issue?

If you wish to fix an extended volume issue, such as the inability to extend the volume on the C drive, you'll need to create a new partition. This will enable all the previously disabled options. To proceed, follow these steps: 1. Open Disk Management to assess the status of your disk partitions. 2. Right-click on the unallocated space and choose "Create a new volume." 3. Upon doing this, you'll notice that the previously grayed-out options are now accessible. By creating a new partition, you'll be able to manipulate the extended volume as needed.