Storage Spaces: Frequently asked questions

Here are answers to some common questions about the new Storage Spaces feature in Windows 8.

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What is Storage Spaces?

Storage Spaces lets you group drives together in a storage pool. Then you can use pool capacity to create storage spaces.

  • Storage spaces are virtual drives that appear in File Explorer. You can use them like any other drive, so it’s easy to work with files on them.

  • You can create large storage spaces and add more drives to them when you run low on pool capacity.

  • If you have two or more drives in the storage pool, you can create storage spaces that won't be affected by a drive failure—or even the failure of two drives, if you create a three-way mirror storage space.

What do I need to create a storage space?

All you need is one or more extra drives in addition to the drive on which Windows is installed. These drives can be internal or external hard drives, or solid state drives. You can use a variety of types of drives with Storage Spaces, including USB, SATA, and SAS drives.

How do I create a storage space?

  1. Add or connect all the drives that you want to group together with Storage Spaces.

  2. Swipe in from the right edge of the screen, and then tap Search.
    (If you're using a mouse, point to the upper-right corner of the screen, move the mouse pointer down, and then click Search.)

  3. Enter Storage Spaces in the search box, and then tap or click Settings.

  4. Choose Storage Spaces in the search results.

  5. Tap or click Create a new pool and storage space.

  6. Select the drives you want to add to the new storage space, and then tap or click Create pool.

  7. Give the drive a name and letter, and then choose a layout. Two-way mirror, Three-way mirror, and Parity can help protect the files in the storage space from drive failure.

  8. Enter the maximum size the storage space can reach, and then tap or click Create storage space.

    Choosing the settings for a new storage spaceChoosing the settings for a new storage space
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