Unable to delete Disk Partition as Delete Volume option is greyed out on Windows 11

If you are running low on disk space, you may want to delete your hard drive partitions/volumes which is not being used to free up some space for the volume that is almost full. Typically, you can use the Disk Management utility to delete hard drive partitions in Windows 11/10. However,in some cases, the Delete Volume option is greyed out, making it impossible for users to delete partitions. In this post, we will describe why you may be faced with this issue, as well as present how best you can resolve this issue.

Delete Volume option is greyed out in Windows 11/10

If the Delete Volume option is greyed out for you in Disk Management on Windows 11/10, it can be due to the following factors:

There is a Page file on the volume that you are trying to delete.
There are system files present on the volume/partition you’re trying to delete.
The volume contains the Operating System.
If you want to delete the free space in an extended partition, the Delete Volume will be greyed out in Disk Management.

Can’t delete Disk Partition on Windows 11/10

If you encounter this issue, you can try either of our recommended solutions below to resolve it.

Manage Page File on the partition
Use 3rd-party software

Let’s take a look at the description of the process involved concerning each of the listed solutions.

1] Manage Page File on the partition

This solution requires you to disable the Page file saved on the volume that you want to remove.

Do the following:

Press Windows key + R to invoke the Run dialog.
In the Run dialog box, type sysdm.cpl and hit Enter to open System Properties.
Go to Advanced tab.
Click the Settings button under Performance.
Navigate to the Advanced tab in the window.
Click the Change button.
Uncheck Automatically manage paging file size for all drives option.
Next, select the volume you want to remove.
Select the No page file radio button.
Click the Set button.
Finally, click the OK button.
Close out all System Properties window.

You can now run Disk Management again. Select the volume you want to delete again. The Delete Volume option should be active, and you can delete the selected volume.

If this solution didn’t work for you, you can try the next solution.

Related:

2] Use 3rd-party software

This solution requires you to use any third-party partition software like the EaseUS Partition Master software to delete a partition.

Once you have downloaded and installed EaseUS Partition Master, you can follow the instructions below to delete a partition/volume:

Launch the EaseUS Partition Master.
Once it loads up, right-click on the partition that you want to delete and select Delete.
Click OK when it asks you for confirmation.
On the top-left corner, click Execute Operation.
Click Apply button.
Your system will restart to begin the operation.

That’s it! Either of these solutions should work for you.

Similar: All options greyed out in Disk Management.

Obinna@TWC

Obinna has completed B.Tech in Information & Communication Technology. He has worked as a System Support Engineer, primarily on User Endpoint Administration, as well as a Technical Analyst, primarily on Server/System Administration. He also has experience as a Network and Communications Officer. He has been a Windows Insider MVP (2020) and currently owns and runs a Computer Clinic.

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