How to Set Up RAID 0 in Windows 10 with Storage Spaces

To set up RAID 0 in Windows 10, use Storage Spaces. Open Control Panel > System and Security > Storage Spaces, select Create a new pool and storage space, pick two or more empty drives, and choose Simple (no resiliency). Windows spreads files across the drives so they read and write faster.

Applies to: Windows 10. Checked against Microsoft Support on September 28, 2026.

Before you start

• You need two or more extra drives. You can’t use the drive Windows is on.
• Everything on those drives is erased. Copy off anything you need first.
• RAID 0 has no protection. If one drive fails, you lose everything in the space. Use it for things you can replace, and keep a backup. See how to back up Windows 10.
• If you’d rather protect your files, choose Two-way mirror in step 5 instead.

Create a simple (RAID 0) storage space

1. Connect the drives.
2. Open Control Panel and select System and Security > Storage Spaces.
3. Select Create a new pool and storage space, then Yes if Windows asks for permission.

4. Check the drives to use and select Create pool.
5. Type a name, pick a drive letter, and under Resiliency type choose Simple (no resiliency).
6. Select Create storage space.

The new drive shows in File Explorer under This PC, with the size of all the drives together.

Another way: a striped volume in Disk Management

Disk Management can also make a striped volume. Right-click an empty drive and select New Striped Volume. This turns the drives into dynamic disks, so Storage Spaces is usually easier. See how to open Disk Management in Windows 10.

Storage Spaces vs. motherboard RAID

• Storage Spaces is built into Windows, works with almost any drives, and is easy to set up or undo. It can’t be used for the drive Windows starts from.
• Motherboard (BIOS) RAID is set up in the firmware with Intel RST or AMD RAID. It’s the only built-in way to put Windows itself on RAID 0, but it usually needs a driver during Windows Setup and is harder to move to another PC.

For a fast games or scratch drive, Storage Spaces is the simpler choice.

Will RAID 0 make things faster?

For large files, usually yes. Copying big videos or loading large game files can be close to twice as fast with two similar drives. Everyday tasks like opening apps barely change, especially if your drives are already SSDs. Two hard drives in RAID 0 are still slower than a single modern SSD for most tasks.

Troubleshooting

• A drive doesn’t appear in the list. It may be the Windows drive, or Windows can’t use it. Check the drive in Disk Management, and make sure it’s connected directly rather than through some USB hubs.
• The space shows Warning or Reduced resiliency. One drive is missing or failing. With Simple resiliency, copy your files off right away if you still can.
• The storage space disappeared after a reinstall. Open Storage Spaces again. Windows usually finds the pool on its own, since the setup is saved on the drives.

Frequently asked questions

Can I use drives of different sizes?

Yes, with Storage Spaces. The space uses the room on all of them.

How do I undo it?

In Manage Storage Spaces, delete the storage space, then the pool. This erases the data. You can then format each drive on its own. See how to format a drive in Windows 10.

How do I check how much space is left?

See how to check disk space in Windows 10.

Can I add another drive later?

Yes. In Manage Storage Spaces, select Add drives. New data spreads across all drives, and you can select Optimize drive usage to rebalance existing data.

Can I use RAID 0 with external USB drives?

Storage Spaces allows it, but it isn’t a good idea. If one cable is unplugged, the whole space goes offline. Use internal drives for RAID 0.

Does Windows 10 Home support Storage Spaces?

Yes. Storage Spaces, including Simple and Two-way mirror, is available in Windows 10 Home and Pro.

Microsoft’s reference is Storage Spaces in Windows. More help is on our Windows Help & Guides page.