Fix Disk Management Not Showing or Working in Windows 10 or 11
However, the Disk Management tool in Windows 10 and Windows 11 is one of the most essential, but sometimes it refuses to launch. Many users face a frustrating issue where Disk Management is not showing, not opening, or not working properly.
In other cases, it opens but does not display disks, freezes, or shows errors like “Disk Management could not start Virtual Disk Service.” These issues can prevent users from accessing or managing storage devices, especially when installing new drives or fixing storage problems.
There are several reasons why Disk Management may stop working. Corrupted system files, outdated drivers, Windows service issues, or permission problems can all interfere with its functionality.
Let’s resolve this issue!
Fix disk management not showing or working in Windows 10 or 11?
If Disk Management is not showing or working in Windows 10 or 11, restart the Virtual Disk service, run the System File Checker, update disk drivers, and launch Disk Management using alternative methods like Run or Command Prompt. These steps help resolve system glitches, driver issues, and service conflicts that prevent Disk Management from opening or displaying drives.
Explore the steps in detail!
Step 1: Open Disk Management Using Different Methods
Sometimes Disk Management does not open because the usual shortcut fails to respond. Trying alternative methods can help determine whether the problem lies with the shortcut or the tool itself.
Press the Windows key and type Disk Management in the search bar. Click on “Create and format hard disk partitions” from the search results. If nothing appears, use the Run dialog box.
Press Windows and R together to open the Run window. Type diskmgmt.msc and press Enter. This command directly launches the Disk Management console.
Another method is through the Power User menu. Right-click on the Start button and select Disk Management from the list. If Disk Management opens using one method but not another, the issue may be related to shortcuts or system indexing.
If it does not open using any method, continue with the next steps.
Step 2: Restart the Virtual Disk Service
The Virtual Disk Service is responsible for managing disk-related operations in Windows. If this service stops working, Disk Management may not open or display drives.
Press Windows and R to open the Run dialog box. Type services.msc and press Enter. This will open the Services window, where all system services are listed.
Scroll down and locate Virtual Disk. Double-click on it to open its properties. Check the Service status. If it is stopped, click the Start button to run it. Set the Startup type to Manual or Automatic so that it runs when required.
Click Apply and then OK. Close the Services window and try opening Disk Management again. Restarting this service often resolves the issue immediately.
Step 3: Run System File Checker and DISM Scan
Corrupted or missing system files can prevent Disk Management from working correctly. Running repair tools can fix these issues automatically.
Press the Windows key and search for Command Prompt. Right-click on it and select Run as administrator. In the command window, type the following command and press Enter:
sfc /scannow
This command will scan and repair corrupted system files. Wait for the process to complete. It may take several minutes.
After that, run the DISM tool to repair Windows image files. Type the following command and press Enter:
DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth
Once both scans are completed, restart your computer and check if Disk Management opens normally.
Step 4: Update or Reinstall Disk Drivers
Outdated or faulty disk drivers can also cause Disk Management to stop working or fail to detect drives. Updating drivers can restore proper communication between hardware and Windows.
Right-click on the Start button and select Device Manager. Expand the Disk drives section. Right-click on your primary disk and select Update driver.
Choose the option to search automatically for drivers. Windows will check for available updates and install them if found. After updating, restart your computer.
If updating does not help, try reinstalling the driver. In Device Manager, right-click the disk drive and select Uninstall device. Restart your computer, and Windows will automatically reinstall the driver.
Open Disk Management again to see if the problem is resolved.
Step 5: Check Windows Updates
Sometimes, pending Windows updates can cause tools like Disk Management to malfunction. Installing the latest updates can fix bugs and compatibility issues.
Press Windows and I to open Settings. Go to Windows Update. Click Check for updates. If updates are available, download and install them.
After installation, restart your computer. Updated system files and patches may restore Disk Management functionality.
Step 6: Use Command Prompt to Access Disk Management
If Disk Management does not open through normal methods, try accessing disk utilities through Command Prompt.
Open Command Prompt as administrator. Type diskpart and press Enter. This will open the DiskPart utility, which allows you to manage disks through commands.
Type list disk and press Enter. If your disks appear in this list, it means Windows can detect them, but Disk Management is facing a display issue.
Type exit to close DiskPart. Try launching Disk Management again. If disks are visible in DiskPart but not in Disk Management, the issue may be related to system configuration or services.
Step 7: Perform a Clean Boot
Third-party software or background services can interfere with Disk Management. Performing a clean boot helps identify conflicts.
Press Windows and R, type msconfig, and press Enter. In the System Configuration window, go to the Services tab. Check the box that says Hide all Microsoft services.
Click Disable all to turn off third-party services. Go to the Startup tab and open Task Manager. Disable all startup items.
Restart your computer and try opening Disk Management. If it works in clean boot mode, a third-party program is causing the issue. Enable services one by one to find the culprit.
Step 8: Check for Malware or System Errors
Malware or system errors can prevent the tools from working properly. Running a full system scan ensures your computer is safe.
Open Windows Security from Settings. Go to Virus and threat protection. Run a full scan and remove any threats found.
You can also check the system for errors by opening Command Prompt as administrator and typing:
chkdsk /f /r
Press Enter and follow the instructions. Restart your computer if prompted. After scanning and fixing errors, open Disk Management again.
Step 9: Create a New User Account
A corrupted user profile can sometimes cause Windows tools to malfunction. Creating a new user account can help confirm this.
Open Settings and go to Accounts. Select Family and other users. Click Add account and create a new local user account.
Log in with the new account and try opening Disk Management. If it works properly, your previous user profile may be corrupted.
Step 10: Restore or Reset Windows
If none of the above methods work, consider using System Restore or resetting Windows. System Restore allows you to revert your system to an earlier working state.
Search for System Restore in the Start menu and open it. Choose a restore point from a time when Disk Management was working. Follow the instructions to restore your system.
If System Restore is not available, you can reset Windows. Go to Settings, select Recovery, and choose Reset this PC. Select the option to keep your files if you do not want to lose data.
After resetting or restoring, Disk Management should function normally.
Faqs
Why is Disk Management not opening in Windows 10 or 11?
Disk Management may not open due to disabled services, corrupted system files, outdated drivers, or software conflicts. Restarting the Virtual Disk Service and running system repair tools usually fixes the issue.
How do I fix Disk Management not responding?
Restart the Virtual Disk Service, update disk drivers, run SFC and DISM scans, and check for Windows updates. These steps resolve most Disk Management problems.
Can I manage disks without Disk Management?
Yes. You can use DiskPart in Command Prompt to manage disks and partitions if Disk Management is not working.
Is it safe to reset Windows to fix Disk Management?
Yes, resetting Windows is safe if you choose the option to keep your files. However, install it only after trying all other troubleshooting methods.
What should I do if Disk Management does not show my hard drive?
Check disk connections, update drivers, and use DiskPart to see if the drive is detected. If not, the drive may have hardware issues.