How to Set Up RAID on Your Windows 10 PC

Dwight Pavlovic - March 07, 2020

What is a RAID setup?

A RAID setup uses multiple storage drives to create a single workable storage system. This can help improve overall storage efficiency as well as protect against drive failure by incorporating backup drives. There are several different types, and how yours works depends on your specific RAID configuration.

RAID ARRAY

RAID setups are commonly called arrays or configurations, with the type identified by a numeral. A RAID array is simply a collection of synced drives, while the type denotes how a particular configuration works.

DATA STRIPING AND MIRRORING

Some rely on data striping, a process that spreads your information across multiple drives to improve efficiency and responsiveness. Another simple format involves data mirroring, which replicates stored information across multiple drives. Unlike striping, mirroring is used specifically to improve redundancy to help safeguard your data.

PARITY

More complex Windows RAID systems incorporate multiple systems, with parity being another factor. Parity refers to error-checking code, and it can be dedicated (one drive) or distributed (multiple drives). Generally, configurations with parity are slower because the process increases the number of operations your system performs.

What is the best RAID configuration?

The simplest RAID configurations are designed to provide a solid foundation of basics. RAID 0 arrays allow for more efficient operation, but they also increase the risk of drive failure. RAID 1 systems build redundancy against potential malfunctions but limit efficiency. These are great setups to experiment with, particularly if your storage load isn’t too cumbersome. Ultimately, the best RAID configuration for you depends on your situation.

RAID 5 and RAID 10 offer strong combinations of efficiency and redundancy, with many users favoring RAID 10 for pure performance. However, RAID 5 only requires 3 drives for striping and parity, while RAID 10 requires a minimum of 4 drives to properly set up mirrored striping. As a result, RAID 10 can also be more energy-intensive.

How to configure a RAID 5 drive array

Since a RAID 5 configuration involves at least 3 drives, it offers the security of redundant drives and the additional efficiency that comes with data striping. Here’s how you’ll set everything up in Windows 10 once your hardware is ready:

Open the Settings tab from the Window Start button in the lower-left corner of your display
Select the System tab
Select the Storage tab from the left sidebar
Look for the More Storage Settings heading and select Manage Storage Spaces
In the new window, select the “Create a new pool and storage space” option (Click Yes if prompted to approve changes to your system)
Select the drives you want to pool and click Create pool. Together these drives will make up your RAID 5 array
Enter the necessary information under the name and drive letter heading
Under the Resiliency heading, click the resiliency type dropdown and select Parity
Under the Size heading, enter your desired capacity and size settings
Click the Create storage space button to activate the array

How RAID 10 works

RAID 10 is a nested RAID system. It’s designed to quickly recover lost information and offers an efficient, robust system for secure data storage. As a type, it relies on striping and mirroring at least two pairs of drives to form an array.

To set up a RAID 10 configuration with Windows 10, you’ll follow many of the same steps as above. But you’ll actually be creating at least two RAID 1 stripes and tying them together, hence the alternative name for this setup (RAID 1+0). That’s why these configurations are typically called nested RAID systems.

Open the Settings tab from the Window Start button in the lower-left corner of your display
Select the System tab
Select the Storage tab from the left sidebar
Look for the More Storage Settings heading and select Manage Storage Spaces
In the new window, select the “Create a new pool and storage space” option (Click Yes if prompted to approve changes to your system)
From the drive selection menu, create two separate pools, each a pair of drives
Select a pair of drives and click Create pool to set up your first mirror
Enter the necessary information under the Name and Drive letter heading
Under the resiliency heading, click the Resiliency type dropdown and select Two-way mirror
Under the Size heading, enter your desired capacity and size settings
Click the Create storage space button to activate your first mirrored drive pair
Repeat the same steps to create a second mirrored drive pair, or for as many mirrored pairs as you plan to include in your array
Now, visit the Windows Disk Management system by pressing the Windows + X keys at once
Look toward the bottom of the window for more information on the two or more mirrored pairs you created, then right click the first pair and select Delete volume to clear out file systems
Repeat step 10 for the second drive, or for however many other mirrored pairs you want to configure
Right click one of the drive pairs you want in your array and select New Striped Volume
In the new window, select the other mirrored pairs you want in your array and click Next
Enter your preferred settings and click Next
Review your choices and click Finish

To wrap up, click through any prompts and wait for Windows to format the new volume. Your RAID 10 array should now be running.

Other types of RAID configuration

There are lots of other RAID types still in use besides RAID 5 and 10, including RAID 0 and 1. There are even more beyond those as well, including a huge range of proprietary setups that require their own unique configurations. If you need more information, there is plenty of user-generated material on more niche RAID types.

Get to know your hardware

Beyond properly configuring a RAID setup in Windows, it’s important to know your hardware and accessories. Research everything that goes into your physical storage arrangement, and consider mixing drives from different manufacturers.

MIX IT UP

What does that accomplish? A mixture can lower your overall risk of failure by removing the chance that both drives suffer from a batch fault. While it may seem cumbersome, especially with larger setups, it can be a way to hedge against certain issues.

In conclusion

Sometimes users require more than just a standard storage solution. If equipped and configured properly, RAID offers an easy way to add redundancy and speed to your system. Whether you’re most worried about data loss or just want a faster system, the right RAID setup can supplement your hardware and maintenance routine.