How to extend existing partition with new hard drive?

guitarxe

Distinguished
Sep 22, 2007
222
0
18,680
I have two hard drives - Drive 1 which I had before with 500gb, and Drive 2 which I just bought with 1,000gb.

Drive 1 has two partitions: C: with 40gb used for Windows and programs, and D: with the rest used for games and data.

Since 40gb is woefully inadequate, I need to extend it. I bought a new hard drive, but not sure now how to proceed. I've come to realize you cannot "extend partition" to unallocated space on a different physical drive, which is what I was planning to do.

What then are my options? Is there any way to do this? Should I instead somehow clone my D: partition over to Drive 2, and then format D: and use that space to extend C: ?

How do I go about doing that, or any other suggestions?
 

neieus

Distinguished
This is pretty easy... all you need to do is copy the data from drive 1 second partition to drive 2 then delete drive 1 partition 2. Next extend the C drive to consume the remaining drive space on drive 1. Once you've done that you can create new partitions if needed and copy data where ever you like.
 

scout_03

Titan
Ambassador
that new hdd have nothing on it with you dont use the free software from the maker link and copy all the 500 gb stuff on the 1 tb so you will be able to use it as main hdd and keep the the 500g as spare hdd after you plug in the new 1 tb as c drive and the 500 g as d .
 

guitarxe

Distinguished
Sep 22, 2007
222
0
18,680
Thanks, that's what I thought. Doesn't Win7 have any native commands to do these operations? Or do I have to find a program like the above linked "Partition Magic" to do it?

And if I clone my D: partition to my new hard drive, will I need to change any paths in registry for everything to keep working?
 

guitarxe

Distinguished
Sep 22, 2007
222
0
18,680


I don't see any option to copy or clone partition from Drive 1 to Drive 2. Do I need to create a partition on Drive 2 first?
 

guitarxe

Distinguished
Sep 22, 2007
222
0
18,680
I think I'm going to copy over data the old fashioned way. I noticed when I right click on the partition that I will eventually format that the option to "delete volume" is greyed out. What could be causing this?