How to extend system drive partition (C:) to get more capacity

Question

After installing Win 7 on C: with other programs that partition is getting too close to full.  How do I add from logical partition to increase size of c:?

Answer 1

When you are unable to make changes to partitions using Disk Management below are partitioning programs you can use.

EASEUS Partition Master (free):

Includes Partition Manager, Disk & Partition Copy Wizard and Partition Recovery Wizard for Windows XP/Vista/Windows 7 (32 bit and 64 bit). It allows users to Resize/Move Partition, Extend System Drive, Copy Disk & Partition, Merge Partition, Split Partition, Redistribute Free Space, Convert Dynamic Disk, Partition Recovery and more. Be careful, re-sizing partitions is usually safe but errors can happen, and always backup anything important before modifying partitions on your hard drive.

http://www.partition-tool.com/personal.htm

Paragon Partition Manager (free):

A good program for making general changes to hard drive partitions while Windows is running. Create, delete, format, and resize partitions with this program. It can also defragment, check file system integrity, and more. Be careful, re-sizing partitions is usually safe but errors can happen, and always backup anything important before modifying partitions on your hard drive.

http://www.paragon-software.com/home/pm-express/download.html

Gparted Boot Disk(free):

If you can't make the changes you want with Windows running using a Gparted boot disk to change the partitions is a good solution. If you will be changing the main Windows partition, or a partition with important info, backup anything important - it's not common, but things can go wrong. Altering the partitions can be risky, be careful and know what you are doing - there is no Windows safety option when using this - if you tell it to format the Windows partition it will do so and delete the entire Windows installation. Depending on what you are doing it can take from a few minutes to a couple hours. Download the ISO and burn it to a CD.

http://sourceforge.net/projects/gparted/files/gparted-live-stable

How to use:

http://www.dedoimedo.com/computers/gparted.html

If after altering the partitions Windows 7 data/files are still there but Windows won't boot the following may help:  

Try Repairing The Windows 7 Installation

1. Insert the Windows 7 DVD and restart your computer
2. Boot from the DVD.
3. Choose your language and click Next.
4. Click Repair Your Computer and then select the operating system you want to repair.
5. Click on the Startup Repair link from list of recovery tools in System Recovery Options.

If that doesn't fix it:

1. Insert the Windows 7 DVD and restart your computer
2. Boot from the DVD. If prompted, press any key to start Windows from the installation disc.
3. Choose your language and click Next.
4. Click Repair Your Computer and then select the operating system you want to repair.
5. Select Command Prompt and try the following commands (a single command might work, or you may need to use multiple commands depending on the exact problem):

bootrec /fixMBR

bootrec /fixBoot

bootrec /rebuildBCD

Note: there is a space before the /

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Have Questions About Installing Windows 7?

FAQ - Common Windows 7 Installation Questions & Answers

Answer 2

TrekDozer,

My apology that I am only replying now, but I was out of town for work.

I contacted Microsoft and they told me to delete both the "Volume" and the "Partition" where I want to extend C: into.  I can delete the "Volume", but when I go back into the now open area and right click, the "Delete Partition" option is grayed out.  Microsoft recommended against the use of third party software to extend a partition.

It seems that if I start with it I may need some continues time and be prepared to reformat the drive and start Win 7 installation from scratch.  I looked at Gparted but will have to get more acquainted with it. 

As things are working fine for the short term I will live with it as it is, knowing that I will have to make the jump in the near future if I load more programs.  As soon as I have a weekend that I may dedicate to this if necessary I will give Gparted a shot.  If it blows up I will reformat the drive and start from scratch.

I will let you know when I had the courage and time to give it a shot and what the outcome was.

Thanks again for the help.

Answer 3

TrekDozer,

I appreciate the info and followed the steps, but the problem is that the system/boot is on my drive C: that I want to extend.  I have free space next to c:, but it seems that because C: contains the system/boot on it, Win 7 greys the "Extend Volume..." out.   The "Extend Volume..." is available on the partitions that do not contain the operating system, but not on C: with the Win 7 system/Boot.

Any suggestions to extend the partition that contains Win 7/Boot would be appreciated.

Ferb7

Answer 4

Windows 7 Disk Management can expand the system partition, but there must be some unallocated space next to the partition.

Resize a Partition for Free in Windows 7 (or Vista):

http://www.howtogeek.com/howto/windows-vista/resize-a-partition-for-free-in-windows-vista/

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Have Questions About Installing Windows 7?

FAQ - Common Windows 7 Installation Questions & Answers