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

Anonymous
2010-01-30T05:28:57+00:00

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:?

Windows for home | Previous Windows versions | Windows update

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Anonymous
2010-01-30T20:28:34+00:00

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 /

Have Questions About Installing Windows 7?

FAQ - Common Windows 7 Installation Questions & Answers

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  1. Anonymous
    2015-01-26T10:07:55+00:00

    We all want to give C: (bootable/system) more space. The Disk next to it in Disk Manager is likely D: or E: (the Drive with the free space you wish to take and add to C:).

    It's no problem shrinking D or E to create some now unallocated space. The problem now becomes that the freed up space is not immediately to the right of or beside the C: partition. The "extend" command in Disk Manager will not be available until that allocated space is permanently set in place BESIDE C: 

    For example, let's say C: and D: (the drive with expendable space) are listed beside each other in Disk Manager. Once you shrink your desired space from D:, that unallocated space is now the the RIGHT of D: What you want is to have that unallocated space INBETWEEN C: and D: Once that happens, the "Extend Drive" command will now be available for Drive C.

    The PROBLEM is that Disk Manager cannot move that unallocated space for you. That's where 3rd party apps such as EASEUS are absolutely necessary. And the free version of EASEUS is all you need for this purpose. Once you've shrunk the desired free space from D: (or E: or whatever) fire up EASEUS. That's where you CAN move the unallocated space INBETWEEN C: and D:. Hit APPLY. Your computer will reboot and reflect the necessary changes (takes a few minutes).

    Once that is done, go back into Disk Manager. You will see the changes reflected that the unallocated space is now directly beside C: as is necessary. You will also find that you can now EXTEND C: to take up that space. BOOM. Done.

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  2. Anonymous
    2015-01-02T19:50:14+00:00

    Hope you are doing well :)

    Though your question is old..I am replying now because I had just gone through..

    Your question is regarding win 7. here is answer:

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

    although the tutorial features win Vista, it works for win 8.1 as well. Believe me i have checked it myself just now before posting this reply..

    IMP: if you shrink a volume and leave it unallocated(means you dont label it as a new volume) then you have the option in your OS installed system drive to be extended, merging with that unallocated space.

    HOPE You it benefits you.

    Thanks.

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  3. Anonymous
    2014-12-30T15:45:17+00:00

    Mr.Cornell,

    Thank you sir for replying and your willingness to assist me.  This has been frustrating to say the least and doing a clean install was not something I was looking forward to.

    I am not sure why, but with one last go at trying to extend the volume to the boot partition in disk management, it worked!

    The only thing I think of, is that my computer has been restarted several times since my first attempts.  Maybe I should have restarted my computer after deleting my game partition and changing the disk to a dynamic?  Regardless, it worked and I thank you for your willingness to help me.

    For anyone attempting to extend the boot partition volume or any partition for that matter...refer to the video that SatishPatruni posted....https://collaaj.com/9J5hiS0.  It works.

    I just hate it for people who go off and spend money on software to do this when the software is already there for you to use.  It is like buying a new car with Navigation when you already have Navigation on your smartphone.

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  4. Anonymous
    2014-12-30T09:00:23+00:00

    Please post an image of your Disk Management window like as below.

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