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How to safely resize partition of c drive without losing data?

Yasko 0 Reputation points
Nov 12, 2024, 4:03 AM

I have a backup PC running Windows 10. The free space in c drive is very less and unable to install future update. The good news is that there 200 GB free space in d drive. How can I resize partition in Windows 10 to make more room for c drive?

I know I can do this by deleting the partitions and reformatting the drive but this will delete all personal data and installed programs. In addition, it also takes more time to clean install Windows 10.

Is there any simple way to resize partition without losing data in Windows 10?

Windows 10
Windows 10
A Microsoft operating system that runs on personal computers and tablets.
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  1. Hania Lian 17,771 Reputation points Microsoft Vendor
    Nov 12, 2024, 5:56 AM

    Hello,

    Yes, you can resize the partitions in Windows 10 without losing your data. Here's a simple way to do it using the built-in Disk Management tool:

    Open Disk Management: Right-click on the Start button and select "Disk Management" from the menu.

    Shrink the D: Drive: In the Disk Management window, right-click on the D: drive and select "Shrink Volume." Enter the amount of space you want to shrink and click "Shrink." This will create unallocated space.

    Extend the C: Drive: Right-click on the C: drive and select "Extend Volume." Follow the prompts to add the unallocated space to the C: drive.

    This method allows you to resize the partitions without deleting any data. However, it's always a good idea to back up your important data before making any changes to your disk partitions.

    Best Regards,

    Hania Lian

    ============================================

    If the Answer is helpful, please click "Accept Answer" and upvote it.


  2. Barbarank 0 Reputation points
    Nov 12, 2024, 7:15 AM

    Before making any changes to your partition, back up your important data to an external drive or cloud storage. While resizing is generally safe, it’s always best to have a backup in case of unexpected issues.

    How to resize partition with disk management tool:

    1. Press Win + X and select Disk Management.
    2. Right-click on the partition you want to shrink (usually a non-system partition, like D) and select Shrink Volume. Enter the amount of space to free up and click Shrink.
    3. Right-click on the C drive and select Extend Volume. Follow the prompts to add the unallocated space you freed up to the C drive.

    After resizing, it’s a good idea to check the C drive for errors to ensure everything is functioning properly (chkdsk C: /f). This will scan and fix any minor errors that may have arisen during the resizing process.

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  3. Edgerson 0 Reputation points
    Nov 12, 2024, 7:55 AM

    Shrink volume is available in disk management app but not the case for Extend Volume. This means you can reduce the size of a partition but unable to increase the partition size with the disk management app, which is grayed out for several reasons:

    No Unallocated Space Next to the Partition: The partition you want to extend must be immediately followed by unallocated space. If there is no unallocated space adjacent to it, Disk Management won’t allow an extension.

    The Partition is Not NTFS: Windows only supports extending partitions formatted with the NTFS file system in Disk Management. If the partition is FAT32 or another format, you need to convert it to NTFS or use a third-party tool that can extend FAT32 partitions.

    Limitations of Basic Disks: If your drive is a basic disk, it has certain limitations in partition adjustments. Converting to a dynamic disk could resolve some issues, but it’s generally recommended to use this option only when needed, as it has implications for future system compatibility.

    If none of these options help, you may need to turn to a third-party partition manager to resize c partition, which can offer more flexibility than the built-in Disk Management tool.

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  4. RMcneill 0 Reputation points
    Nov 12, 2024, 8:00 AM

    Just did a check on my Windows PC. The shrink volume is ok but the extend volume is not available. It is a NTFS partition. You have to use other means to resize partitions on a Windows 10 PC.

    extend volume not available

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  5. Ella Groves 0 Reputation points
    Nov 12, 2024, 8:38 AM

    Resizing partitions in Windows 10 using Disk Management can be handy, but like anything else, it comes with some potential downsides. From my own experience and what I’ve learned over time, here are some disadvantages to keep in mind when you’re trying to resize your C: drive (or any partition) while aiming to keep your data safe.

    Disk Management has its limits. You can only extend the C: drive if there's unallocated space immediately to the right of it. If you’ve got other partitions in between (like E: or F:), you’ll be stuck without using additional software. I once hit that wall, and it was super annoying because I had to look for third-party solutions.

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