Using the DiskPart Utility

Written by Barry Dysert (last updated July 22, 2019)

DiskPart is a command-line utility that lets you manage disk-related objects like drives, virtual disks, partitions, and volumes. You invoke DiskPart by typing DiskPart at a command prompt and pressing Enter. (You must be in the Administrators group to run DiskPart.) DiskPart accepts 38 different commands, which can be listed by typing Help at the DiskPart prompt.

While the Help command lists the available commands in alphabetical order, logically, the DiskPart commands can be grouped into the following categories:

  • Commands to set focus: Select
  • Commands to display disk configuration: Detail, List
  • Commands to manage basic disks: Active, Assign, Create, Delete, Extend, Remove
  • Commands to manage dynamic disks: Active, Add, Assign, Break, Create, Delete, Extend, Import, Online, Remove, Retain
  • Commands to convert disks: Convert
  • Miscellaneous commands: Clean, Exit, Help, Rescan

DiskPart operates on whatever object currently has focus. You can assign focus to an object through the Select command, e.g.,

DISKPART> Select Disk 0

Subsequent commands will now operate on Disk 0 until focus is assigned to another object.

You leave the DiskPart utility by typing Exit at the DiskPart prompt.

 This tip (12662) applies to Windows 7, 8, and 10.

Author Bio

Barry Dysert

Barry has been a computer professional for over 35 years, working in different positions such as technical team leader, project manager, and software developer. He is currently a software engineer with an emphasis on developing custom applications under Microsoft Windows. When not working with Windows or writing Tips, Barry is an amateur writer. His first non-fiction book is titled "A Chronological Commentary of Revelation." ...

MORE FROM BARRY

Changing the Program Associated with a File Type

Windows allows a great deal of flexibility in what programs it associates with different types of files. If you want to ...

Discover More

Locking and Unlocking the Taskbar

You'll usually want your Taskbar locked, but there are times when it must be unlocked. This tip explains how to lock and ...

Discover More

Making a File Read-Only

If you have an important file that you want to be sure doesn't get accidentally edited, you can set it to read-only. This ...

Discover More
More WindowsTips

Working with Compressed Files and Folders via Zip

Windows 10 provides multiple ways to work with compressed files and folders. One great way is to use the Zip utility, ...

Discover More

Stopping Windows from Creating Thumbs.db Files

Many times, the automatically created Thumbs.db file is more trouble than it's worth. If you want to stop Windows from ...

Discover More

Creating a Hierarchy Map of Your Hard Drive

Want to see how the directories and subdirectories in your hard drive are organized? It's easy to do using the directions ...

Discover More
Comments

If you would like to add an image to your comment (not an avatar, but an image to help in making the point of your comment), include the characters [{fig}] (all 7 characters, in the sequence shown) in your comment text. You’ll be prompted to upload your image when you submit the comment. Maximum image size is 6Mpixels. Images larger than 600px wide or 1000px tall will be reduced. Up to three images may be included in a comment. All images are subject to review. Commenting privileges may be curtailed if inappropriate images are posted.

What is 8 - 0?

There are currently no comments for this tip. (Be the first to leave your comment—just use the simple form above!)

Newest Tips
Links and Sharing
OUR COMPANY
OUR PRODUCTS
OUR SITES
 

Copyright © 2026 Sharon Parq Associates, Inc.