In this guide, we’ll show you how to create Storage Spaces in Windows 11. Storage Spaces lets you combine multiple hard drives into one big storage pool and then create virtual drives (called volumes) from that pool. This helps keep your data safe if one of your drives fails.

What is Storage Spaces?
Storage Spaces is a feature in Windows 11 that groups together two or more drives into a single storage pool. From this pool, you can make virtual drives that act like regular drives but spread your data across several disks. This means if one drive breaks, your data can still be safe.

Steps to Create Storage Spaces and Volumes in Windows 11

Before you start, make sure you have at least two separate drives (they can be internal or external, but they must be separate disks).

1. Open Windows Settings:
   

   Click the Start button, then select Settings.
   

   Click the Settings button from the Start menu

2. Go to System > Storage:
   

   In the Settings window, click System on the left side, then click Storage on the right.
   

   

   
   
   

   

   
   

3. Open Advanced Storage Settings > Storage Spaces:
   

   Scroll down and click Advanced storage settings, then select Storage Spaces.
   

   

   
   

4. Create a New Storage Pool:
   

   Click the Add button under “Add a new Storage Pool”.
   

   

   
   

5. Name Your Storage Pool and Select Drives:
   

   Type a name for your storage pool (like “My Storage Pool”). Then select the drives you want to include.
   

   

   
   Click Create when done.

6. Choose Storage Space Size and Protection Type:
   

   Pick how big you want your virtual drive to be and choose a resiliency option (this decides how your data is protected):

   
   
   
   
   • Simple: No protection, just combines space. Needs at least 2 drives.
   
   
   • Two-way mirror: Keeps a copy of your data on two drives. Protects if 1 drive fails. Needs at least 2 drives.
   
   
   • Three-way mirror: Keeps 3 copies of your data. Protects if 2 drives fail. Needs 5 or more drives.
   
   
   • Parity: Balances protection and storage space. Needs 3 or more drives.
   
   
   • Dual parity: Better protection, can handle 2 drive failures. Needs 7 or more drives.
   
   
   
   

   
   

   

   
   Click Create to continue.

7. Set Volume Name, Drive Letter, and Format:
   

   Give your new virtual drive a name (Label), pick a drive letter, and choose the format:

   
   
   
   
   • NTFS: Best for Windows drives.
   
   
   • FAT32: Compatible with many devices but limited file size.
   
   
   

   

   
   Click Format to finish creating the volume.
8. Access Your New Drive:
   

   After formatting, your new virtual drive will appear in File Explorer like any other drive.
   

   

   
   

Summary

• Storage Spaces lets you combine multiple drives into one big storage pool.
• You can create virtual drives (volumes) that keep your data safe even if a drive fails.
• Different protection (resiliency) options let you choose how your data is backed up.
• Follow the steps above to create your own Storage Spaces and keep your data safer.

If you have questions or tips about Storage Spaces, feel free to leave a comment below!