Extending OS partition - advice please.

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davidvg

16 posts

Geek

#115634 2-Apr-2013 13:07

Hi all,

I have Win7 installed on a 100Gb partition (C:) and the rest of the 1TB drive is D:
C: is almost full and I have space on D: so I want to extend C: and shrink D:
Using Disk Management, when I right click C: the extend option is greyed out.
I assume that I need to shrink D: first and then the extend option for C: will be available.
So my question is - am I correct in thinking that this is the best way to go and am I right
to trust Disk Management for this task?
Obviously I'll backup everything including the kitchen sink before attempting these manoeuvers.

Many thanks,

David.

Ragnor

8222 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

#790630 2-Apr-2013 13:12

Yes that's right you should be able to shrink D then expand C, it's reliable in Windows 7 from what I've seen.

As always backup first.

bagheera

539 posts

Ultimate Geek

#790636 2-Apr-2013 13:15

you can only extend c using Disk Management if the free space is after the c drive and before the d drive (if they the same disk) if you shrink d dive, then it will shrinks form the end of d drive and you are still stuff for extending c. what you need to do is shrink d and move it to the end of disk then extend c, which i have only ever done with 3rd party partition tool, not MS ones. (and windows 7 is the first MS tool that even lets you do anything with the system volume) but not play much with the window 7 tool, and may now do that.

davidvg

16 posts

Geek

#792170 3-Apr-2013 10:44

Thanks for the advice.
Do you have any recommendations for third party partition tools to move a partition as Win7 Disk Management does not do that.
Are there any good free ones? Acronis Disk Director is a bit expensive as I may only use it once.
Thanks
David

robjg63

4098 posts

Uber Geek

Subscriber

#792178 3-Apr-2013 10:58

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

I used it once - its free and did the job ok.

EDIT: Obviously backup everything first (of course!)

Nothing is impossible for the man who doesn't have to do it himself - A. H. Weiler

asjohnstone

76 posts

Master Geek

#792474 3-Apr-2013 15:46

On the assumption that D: contains data and not application binaries, I'd back it up, then remove the D partition. Then extend C: next create a new D: and restore my data.

It's the lowest risk approach and doesn't require any third party software. It will also give you a nice unfragmented D: volume at the end of it.

davidvg

16 posts

Geek

#792510 3-Apr-2013 16:56

robjg63: http://www.partition-tool.com/personal.htm

I used it once - its free and did the job ok.

EDIT: Obviously backup everything first (of course!)

Many thanks for the recommendation. I installed Easeus Partition Master and it did the job without any hassles and it was free. Shame Microsoft can't be bothered to provide such a facility in their anything-but-free product but I can't say I'm surprised.
Apparently if I review the free Partition Master and give it 5 stars on CNet I can get the Professional version for free!
Thanks again
David.

robjg63

4098 posts

Uber Geek

Subscriber

#793526 4-Apr-2013 21:51

Pleased it all worked out for you :-)

Nothing is impossible for the man who doesn't have to do it himself - A. H. Weiler

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blackjack17

1705 posts

Uber Geek

#793551 4-Apr-2013 22:13

windows 7 works fine for this, have done so a couple of times, no need for third party software.

Simply shrink D drive
Expand C drive

worked fine for me

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