Issue Shrinking SSD Partition to Make Room for Ubuntu Dual-Boot on Windows

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Urzu1000

Urzu1000

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Dec 24, 2013
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I've decided to learn Linux, because I believe it will give me more advantages then Windows (which I've used all my life).

I want to try a dual-boot of Ubuntu to get my feet wet, but my primary storage device is a 128GB SSD. I have 74GB of free space, so I wanted to shave off maybe 20GB or so for Ubuntu, however, when I went to shrink the partition, it would only allow around 1.7GB.

I believe the reason for this is due to Windows treating the SSD like an HDD, and refusing to partition the data because it thinks that data might be stored at the end of the drive. With an HDD, this could simply be defragmented and moved to the front of the drive, but with an SSD...I'd rather not degrade the life expectancy of this drive (it's 3 years old and has been under heavy use).

What advice can you, good reader, give me to help resolve this issue?

Thanks!
 
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Urzu1000

Urzu1000

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Figured out the issue. I'm going to post it here for anything else having the same issue.

Windows places "unmovable" files towards the end of the drive. These come from two places, system restore, and pagesys.

Disable both, and you can shrink the partition to your heart's desire.

Here's how to do it:

Disable pagesys - Computer -> Properties -> Advanced system settings -> Advanced -> Settings -> Advanced -> Change... -> Then toggle "No Paging File" and press "Set". Reboot.

Disable System Restore - Computer -> Properties -> System Protect -> Select C: and press "configure". Toggle "Turn off system protection" and accept prompts. Press "Delete" and accept prompts.

Once you've done those two things, try shrinking the partition again, and it should allow you to shrink it as much as you need. Once you've done that, reactivate the pagesys file and the System Restore through the same prompts.
 
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HORNET33

HORNET33

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Is there any downside to doing this? If I know I will likely add ubuntu after I install windows (though probably in a week or so, I'm not in a rush) should I set up the partitions right away?

Also, did you make just two partitions or do you have a 3rd for files shared between both operating systems?
 
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Urzu1000

Urzu1000

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What you want is unallocated space. Say your SSD (or HDD) is 128GB. You might shave off 20GB for Ubuntu if it isn't your primary OS. I haven't tested it to see if I could access files from the same drive - but I know I can access the data on my other HDDs. I don't believe you will need to make a third partition, but if you do, the option is easily available later.

Also - I've learned that Linux can be run without installing it, so see if there's a LiveCD for the distro you're looking at, and throw it on a flash drive. It may be an easier way to "get your feet wet".

Here's a really easy tool for doing this. I believe it will even download the ISO for you if you do not already have it. http://www.pendrivelinux.com/universal-usb-installer-easy-as-1-2-3/
 
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