4 Ways to Configure RAID 1 on Windows 11

Key Takeaways 

• Windows 11 gives many options for configuring  RAID 1, including using the Settings app and the Command Prompt.
• Using the Settings App is the most direct way to configure RAID 1.

Hardware Requirements for a Raid Set Up

Before you go into creating RAID 1 on Windows 11, take note of the following requirements:

• You should have a minimum of two drives.
• All drives involved need to have the same file type – NTFS works great.
• There must be a RAID controller; on Windows 11, you may use the built-in Storage Spaces feature as a software alternative.
• A motherboard that is compatible with RAID. This may be a problem for older motherboards.

Method 1: Via the Settings App

The Settings app is a central location that allows you to configure multiple operating system options. From appearance and behavior personalization to managing privacy and security, the app can accomplish so much. You may also use it to configure RAID options and create RAID 1, as shown below.

Step 1: Press the Windows + I keyboard shortcut on your keyboard to open the Settings app.

Step 2: Click the Storage option on the right pane.

Step 3: Scroll down the right pane and click Advanced Storage Settings.

Step 4: Click Storage Spaces on the right pane.

Step 5: Click the Add button to create a RAID storage.

Step 6: Fill in the Name field, select the disk from which you want to create RAID 1, then click the Create button.

Step 7: Here, you fill in details for the space to which the pool in the previous window will belong. Enter a value for Name, pick the size you desire, select Two-way mirror for Resiliency, and click Create.

Method 2: Using the Control Panel

Control Panel is a utility that allows users to change and reconfigure certain options on the device. It comprises hardware and software configuration applets and may be used to manage specific drive functions, like creating RAIDS, as shown below.

Step 1: Press the Windows + R keyboard shortcut to open the Run dialog, type control, and hit Enter.

Step 2: In the top-right corner, make sure the View by option is set to Category and click System and Security.

Step 4: Click Storage Spaces.

Step 5: Click Create a new pool and storage space.

Step 6: Select your drive and click Create Pool.

Step 7: Name the Storage Space. Use the drop-down next to Resiliency type to choose Two-way mirror, select an appropriate size, and then click Create storage space.

Method 3: From the Disk Management Settings

On Windows 11, you may use the Disk Management utility to manage hard drives and disks. The tool lets you create, resize, delete, format, and manage the drives on your computer. You may also employ this tool to create RAID 1 on Windows 11.

Step 1: Right-click the Start menu on your Taskbar, then select Disk Management.

Step 2: Right-click on the Drive for your RAID, and select New Striped Volume.

Step 3: Click Next.

Step 4: Select the disk to RAID, click Add, then click Next.

Step 5: Select NTFS and click Next.

Step 6: Click Finish and confirm your choice.

Method 4: Using the Command Prompt

The Command Prompt is a text-based interface allowing users to interact with the Windows operating system. It is a powerful tool that may be employed for system configuration, file management, troubleshooting, or even disk management. As shown below, you may use it to create a RAID 1 drive.

Step 1: Press the Windows + R keyboard shortcut to open the Run dialog.

Step 2: Type cmd and hit Control + Shift + Enter keyboard shortcut to open the Command Prompt with admin privileges.

Step 3: Type the below command and hit Enter to access drive and disk management:

diskpart

Step 4: Run the below command to see all available drives:

listdisk

Step 5: Run the command below, replacing N with a disk number for the RAID:

Select disk N

Step 6: Run the command below to convert the selected drive to a dynamic one:

convert dynamic

Step 7: Repeat steps 5 and 6 for other drives you need to be part of the RAID process.

Step 8: Enter the command below to create your RAID volume:

Create Volume RAID Disk 1, 2, 3

Step 8: Select the newly created RAID using the command below:

select volume 2

Step 9: Change the format and assign it a drive letter by running the two scripts below one after the other:

Format FS=NTFS Label=NewVolume

Assign Letter=E