Windows Storage Space - cheap method for a simple software RAID 1 (2-way mirror) and cold storage backup

Just documenting for my own future reference so I don't need to re-google.

Upgrade the space in Microsoft Storage Space

1. To keep the cost down, I started with 2 drives that are of different sizes initially: 1TB and 2TB
2. Once the Storage Space is almost full, I buy another drive that is double the size of my largest drive. In this case: 4TB.
3. Remove the 1TB drive physically and keep it in cold storage with posted note on it. In the worst case scenario that the mirror system is gone and I lost both main drives (thief, Ms. Storage Space gone wrong, etc.), I have a smaller out-dated backup in place that I can rebuild.
   Note: DO NOT use the remove drive option on Windows as you will remove all data on the drive
4. Once the storage space is full, I add another drive to the storage space that is double the size of my largest drive to change to a 2TB and 4TB pairs (can only use up to maximum of 2TB). I use this system to keep the cost down - e.g. only need to upgrade 1 drive at a time.

Warning: This setup is not for important file (need to have a regular backup). The reason for odd pairing is to keep the upgrade cost down once the system is full. I don't need to replace 2 drives at once.

Testing of the drive that was removed physically without using the remove drive option:

Mark did a test of re-using the storage space drive that was removed physically:

https://www.tenforums.com/general-support/161009-windows-storage-spaces-moving-physical-

disk.html#post1972161

A few key points from his article:

1. You can rebuild the storage space on another computer if you re-use the old drive 
2. If you use remove drive option in Windows, you will lose all the file