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How to Mirror Hard Drives Together on Windows 11: A Step-by-Step Guide

RAID 1, or disk mirroring, is an effective way to safeguard your valuable data by duplicating it across two or more hard drives.


Windows 11 comes equipped with a built-in feature called Storage Spaces that enables users to create a mirrored setup for their hard drives without any additional software.



In this blog post, we'll walk you through the process of setting up a RAID 1 array using Storage Spaces in Windows 11.


What is RAID 1 and why should you use it?


RAID 1, also known as disk mirroring, is a data storage technique that writes the same data to two or more hard drives simultaneously.


This redundancy provides an extra layer of data protection in case one of the drives fails.


While it does not enhance performance, RAID 1 can be a valuable option for users who prioritize data integrity and backup.


Setting Up RAID 1 using Storage Spaces in Windows 11


Before you start, make sure you have at least two hard drives connected to your computer.


Ideally, these drives should have the same capacity and performance specifications to ensure optimal functioning.


1. Open Settings


Press the Win + X keys to open the Power User menu, and select "Settings."


2. Access Storage Settings


In the Settings window, click on "System" and then on "Storage."


3. Manage Storage Spaces


Scroll down to the "Advanced storage settings" section and click on "Manage Storage Spaces."


4. Create a New Pool and Storage Space


In the Storage Spaces window, click on "Create a new pool and storage space."


5. Select Drives


You'll see a list of available drives for creating a storage pool. Select the two hard drives you want to use for mirroring and click on "Create pool."


6. Configure Storage Space


In the "Create a storage space" window, configure the following options:

  • Name: Enter a descriptive name for your storage space.

  • Drive letter: Assign a drive letter to the storage space. This will be used to access the mirrored drives in Windows Explorer.

  • Resiliency type: Select "Two-way mirror" from the drop-down menu. This ensures that data is mirrored across both drives.

  • Size: The maximum size for your storage space will be displayed. You can reduce the size if you prefer, but make sure it is equal to or less than the capacity of the smaller drive in the array.

7. Create Storage Space


Click on "Create storage space" to complete the process.


Conclusion:


Congratulations! You have successfully set up a RAID 1 array using Storage Spaces in Windows 11.


Your mirrored hard drives will now function as a single drive in Windows Explorer.


All data written to this storage space will be duplicated across both drives, providing redundancy and protection against drive failure.


This simple setup can provide peace of mind knowing your important data is backed up and safeguarded against potential hardware failures.


Resources:


Windows 11 official documentation, Storage Spaces overview, RAID configurations guide

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