To mirror a hard drive in Windows 10, use Storage Spaces: open Control Panel > Storage Spaces, create a new pool from two empty drives, and set Resiliency type to Two-way mirror. Windows then writes every file to both drives, so your data survives if one drive fails. Storage Spaces is included in all editions of Windows 10, including Home.
Windows 10 reached end of support on October 14, 2025. Consumer Extended Security Updates (ESU) now run until October 12, 2027. The same steps work in Windows 11.
Quick Answer
Control Panel > Storage Spaces > Create a new pool and storage space > select two drives > Create pool > Resiliency type: Two-way mirror > Create storage space.
Before You Start
- You need at least two extra drives, ideally the same size. The mirror’s capacity equals the smaller drive.
- Creating a pool erases the drives you add. Copy anything on them somewhere else first.
- Storage Spaces can’t mirror the drive Windows is installed on. It’s for data drives.
How to Mirror Drives With Storage Spaces
- Connect both drives. Open Start, type Storage Spaces, and open it.
- Click Create a new pool and storage space and approve the admin prompt.
- Check the two drives you want to use and click Create pool.
- Enter a name and choose a drive letter and file system (NTFS is standard).
- Set Resiliency type to Two-way mirror.
- Leave the size at the suggested maximum and click Create storage space.
The new mirrored drive appears in File Explorer under its letter. Save files there and they’re written to both disks.
Mirroring Options in Windows 10
| Method | Editions | Can mirror the Windows drive? | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Storage Spaces two-way mirror | All | No | Recommended; easy to add drives later |
| Storage Spaces three-way mirror | All | No | Needs five drives; survives two failures |
| Disk Management mirrored volume | Pro, Enterprise, Education | Yes (Add Mirror) | Converts disks to dynamic, which Microsoft has deprecated |
| Motherboard RAID 1 | Any | Yes | Set up in the BIOS before installing Windows |
Mirror an Existing Drive in Disk Management (Pro)
On Windows 10 Pro you can right-click a volume in Disk Management (diskmgmt.msc) and choose Add Mirror, then pick an empty disk of equal or larger size. Windows converts both disks to dynamic disks and copies the data. Dynamic disks can complicate upgrades and recovery, and the option isn’t in Windows 10 Home, so Storage Spaces or a motherboard RAID is usually the better choice.
A Mirror Is Not a Backup
Mirroring protects against a drive failing. It doesn’t protect against deleting a file, ransomware, or a corrupted update, because those changes are copied to both drives instantly. Keep a separate backup, or clone the drive as a one-time copy.
To reinstall on a new drive, you can use a bootable Windows 10 USB made with diskpart.
For speed instead of safety, see setting up RAID 0 on Windows 11.
Troubleshooting
- A drive doesn’t appear in Storage Spaces: It may hold the Windows installation or be formatted in a way Storage Spaces can’t use. Check Disk Management.
- Add Mirror is grayed out: You’re on Windows 10 Home, the second disk is too small, or it isn’t empty.
- Storage Spaces shows Warning or Reduced resiliency: One drive has failed or been disconnected. Reconnect or replace it, then use Add drives and Optimize drive usage.
- Setting this up on Windows 11: See how to set up RAID on Windows 11.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is mirroring the same as RAID 1?
Yes. RAID 1 is the name for mirroring. A Storage Spaces two-way mirror is software RAID 1.
Does mirroring slow down my PC?
Writes can be slightly slower because data goes to two drives. Reads are usually as fast or faster.
Can I mirror an SSD and a hard drive together?
It works, but the mirror runs at the speed of the slower drive. Matching drives work best.
Summary
- Back up and connect two empty drives.
- Open Storage Spaces and create a new pool.
- Choose Two-way mirror as the resiliency type.
- Keep a separate backup, because a mirror copies mistakes too.
Kermit Matthews is a freelance writer based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania with more than a decade of experience writing technology guides. He has a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Computer Science and has spent much of his professional career in IT management.
He specializes in writing content about iPhones, Android devices, Microsoft Office, and many other popular applications and devices.