How To
Summary
Storage Spaces is software-defined storage technology in Windows Server that allows you to pool physical disks together to create resilient, virtualized storage. This guide provides a step-by-step process to configure Storage Spaces using both the Server Manager GUI and PowerShell. You will learn how to group disks into a storage pool, create virtual disks with various resiliency types (simple, mirror, parity), and format them for use.
Environment
A Windows Server 2016 R2 or later with Administrator privileges on the server.
Two or more physical disks (SAS, SATA, or NVMe) attached to the server and visible in Disk Management as Unknown and Not Initialized.
The File and Storage Services server role must be installed (it is installed by default).
Steps
Step 1: Create a Storage Pool
Open Server Manager.
Click on File and Storage Services from the left-hand menu.
Select Storage Pools.
In the STORAGE POOLS section, ensure the correct server is selected in the top dropdown. Your physical disks will be listed under PHYSICAL DISKS.
In the VIRTUAL DISKS section, right-click and choose New Storage Pool.... This launches the New Storage Pool Wizard.
Click Next on the Before You Begin page.
Give the pool a name and description (e.g., Primary-Storage-Pool). Click Next.
On the Select physical disks page, check the boxes for the disks you want to add to the pool. Click Next.
Review your selections and click Create.
After creation, click Close.
Step 2: Create a Virtual Disk
In the STORAGE POOLS section, right-click your newly created pool and select New Virtual Disk....
Select your storage pool and click OK.
Give the virtual disk a name (e.g., VD-Data-Mirror) and click Next.
Choose the storage layout (e.g., Mirror). The wizard will show you which layouts are available based on the number of disks in your pool. Click Next.
Choose the provisioning type:
Thin: Space is allocated on an as-needed basis. This is more storage-efficient.
Fixed: All space for the virtual disk is allocated immediately from the pool.
Click Next.
Specify the size of the virtual disk. You can create a disk that uses the maximum available size or a specific amount. Click Next.
Review your selections and click Create.
After creation, you will be given the option to Create a volume now. Ensure the box is checked and click OK.
Step 3: Create a Volume
The New Volume Wizard will open. Click Next.
Select the server and disk (your new virtual disk will be listed). Click Next.
Specify the volume size (usually the maximum). Click Next.
Assign a drive letter or folder path. Click Next.
Choose file system settings (e.g., File system: NTFS, Allocation unit size: Default, Volume label: Data). Click Next.
Review choices and click Create.
Click Close. The new volume will now be formatted and available in File Explorer.
Document Location
Worldwide
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Document Information
Modified date:
29 August 2025
UID
ibm17243310