Enlarging disk partitions

JhonConners · Sep 4, 2016

So I ahve a 128 gb ssd and I partitioned 25gb of that to Windows 7 in a dual boot config.
Well there is barely enough space for programs that need to run on windows 7 (where I can't just access them, such as Microsoft .net framework that I need to have on this partition to run synapse on my windows 7(dual boot)

How would I enlarge that partition?

SchizTech · Sep 4, 2016

What is occupying any other partitions on the drive? To extend a partition there first needs to be empty space for it to use (which must also be directly adjacent to the partition in question). If possible, another partition could be shrunk (and if necessary, moved forward or back to put the created space next to the end of the 25GB partition), then the disk manager can extend that partition into that space.

JhonConners · Sep 4, 2016

SchizTech :

There are files on the ssd, aswell as files on the 25G partition on the ssd. So do I have to remove all the files from it?

SchizTech · Sep 4, 2016

How full is the other partition? If it has free space it can be shrunk up to that amount.

SkyNetRising · Sep 4, 2016

JhonConners :

Can you post screenshot from Disk Management?

JhonConners · Sep 4, 2016

https://gyazo.com/2be2e54d037cf91d3ef8d959ddb5e2ca
At the top where there is detailed information, the F: drive is the partition from the SSD, and of course, the "128Gb Sandisk ssd(E

" is the ssd. (65% free)

at the bottom, disk 1 is the ssd with the partition, disk 0 is my primary hard drive (2tb)

And CD ROM is, well, CD ROM

USAFRet · Sep 4, 2016

That is all kinds of messed up

1. F drive for the OS? No.
2. 25GB partition for the OS? No.

So you say dual boot.
What is the other OS?
If booting into Win 7 on that small 25GB partition, show us a screencap of that.
Windows, when booting, will consider itself as the C. Other partitions will be other drive letters.

That screenshot would presumably be booting from the 2TB HDD?

Chicano · Sep 4, 2016

Windows Disk Management can expand the System Partition, but there must be an unallocated disk space next to the Windows 7 partition.

If there is enough free disk space in the larger partition, shrink it through the Disk Manager leaving the necessary unallocated disk space between both partitions, so you can extend the Windows 7 partition into the unallocated disk space.

Start Disk Management from the Control Panel (according to howtogeek guide) > Shrink the larger partition leaving the free disk space unallocated > and next Extend the smaller Windows 7 partition into the unallocated disk space between both partitions.

If you encounter Disk Manager problems, a third party Partition Manager can easily do it.. and if you don't want to install a third party Partition Manager, use the portable edition of Minitool Partition Wizard that you don't have to install or uninstall, and doesn't leave traces when removed... and you can use it from the HDD or from a USB flash drive.

Resize a Partition for Free in Windows 7, 8.x, 10, or Vista
http://www.howtogeek.com/howto/windows-vista/resize-a-partition-for-free-in-windows-vista/

MiniTool Portable Partition Magic Brings Easier Disk/Partition Management
https://www.partitionwizard.com/partitionmagic/portable-partition-magic.html

SkyNetRising · Sep 4, 2016

So - you want to increase size of F: , right?
1. First shrink E: by amount you wish to enlarge F:
2. then use 3rd party partition management software to move F: partition to start of free space.
3. then extend F: to max available size.

Shrinking/extending can be done in Windows disk management.
For partition movement you can use Acronis Disk director
(Minitool Partition Wizard free is free alternative).

Chicano · Sep 4, 2016

The Windows on partition F of the SSD can work normally but that's not the best way of doing things if you want optimal performance. So you may have to re-install Windows 7 after relocating partitions in the SSD. You can do this from the OS in the HDD, assuming it's another Windows version.

1. Start by moving personal files from the Windows F partition to the larger E partition.

2. Delete partition F leaving it as unallocated disk space.

3. Move partition E to the right end of the SSD taking up the unallocated disk space.

4. With the HDD disconnected from power and data cables, format and install Windows on partition F that will now be partition C...

5. After configuring Windows 7, installing an antivirus, programs, etc., you can connect the HDD and boot to either SSD or HDD from the BIOS Boot Menu, or create the dual boot with EasyBCD.

EasyBCD Community Edition
http://www.softpedia.com/get/System/OS-Enhancements/EasyBCD.shtml

SkyNetRising · Sep 4, 2016

Chicano :

That's major reorganizing, rather long process and not really necessary.

Chicano · Sep 4, 2016

Apparently you didn't read the initial lines from that answer (the part you left out of the quote)... so that's just a second option and posted after watching the Disk Management image... the minor reorganization version to leave Windows 7 on partition F, is before your second answer. Ultimately the decision is up to the OP.

And BTW from my point of view, re-installing Windows 7 is not a big deal or long process unless you have a slow computer... and this suggestion is only important if you want to get the best performance from a computer... if you don't care for organization, you can install on any partition you like as long as Windows works, and that's all you want.

JhonConners · Sep 4, 2016

USAFRet :

That screenshot is from the Windows 10 (main os on the 2tb HDD)
And yes it was a 25G partition for the Windows 7 OS
When it boots into the windows 7 it just normally boots. I am doing some work right now, so I cannot give a screencap of the Windows 7 but right now it has around 1Gb left of storage on that partition, which is why I want to extend it.

JhonConners · Sep 4, 2016

SkyNetRising :

The person that responded above you said all I had to do was shrink E: then extend F by that amount. Do I just need to do that or do I need to use a third party to "move" it or whatever you say I need to do

SkyNetRising · Sep 4, 2016

Chicano :

Really?

I'd say - it's rather long process (a day at least), if you don't know which updates exactly must be installed manually to speed up deployment of updates.

SkyNetRising · Sep 4, 2016

JhonConners :

Nope - that's wrong.
If you shrink E: and don't move F:, then you can't extend F: .
You can extend partition only to free space after the partition (not before it).

USAFRet · Sep 4, 2016

Right now, the OP has a Windows OS partition of 25GB.
I think we can all agree that this is far too small. Correct?
(If you think a 25GB partition is fine for Windows of anything more recent than XP, please explain your reasoning)

How to fix?
Either you can faff about with extending/deleting/moving partitions.
Or a simple wipe the whole stupid thing and reinstall.

If a family member came to me with this PC, I would spend maybe an hour trying to resurrect their personal docs. After that, go nuclear.
Wipe and reinstall. Screw shrink/extend/etc.

Fix the actual issue (too small partition), rather than trying to work around the problem.

Any partition management (extend/move/whatever) should be preceded by a full backup of that drive. In canse things go sideways.

JhonConners · Sep 4, 2016

USAFRet :

Which i agree a backup should be done, but it's not necessary, there is no data on that partition. How exactly would I be able to just remove that partition and start new?

Chicano · Sep 4, 2016

SkyNetRising :

Well, you've said it... that's if you want to update manually... But Automatic Updates usually recommended, does everything for you... and if you want to have some control over what installs, you can program Windows Update to let you choose how updats are delivered so you can select which and which not to install... and they will come gradually so it doesn't take much time and certainly not all at once

What can take time, is reinstalling your usual programs but this appears to be a recent installation of Windows 7 and it shouldn't have much to reinstall yet, be it programs or updates!.

USAFRet · Sep 4, 2016

JhonConners :

What is on the system?
What do you want the end state to be?
\On that 128GB SSD, have Windows only, on the whole drive.
Boot from your install media, and start the install process.
When is asks where, choose Custom
You will be presented with a list of all partitions on that drive.
Delete ALL of them
Let Windows install to that whole 128GB space, creating what it needs.

Now...if that 128GB drive has other stuff on it...GRUB or some other data...doing this will kill off all that.

So,
Where are we starting from and what do you want the end state to be?

JhonConners · Sep 4, 2016

USAFRet :

Well, for one, is there a way, I can make windows 7 on the ssd access all the programs and still, like .net framework? Becuase synapse needed .net framework so I would have to reinstall it on windows 7, while I still have it on the windows 10.

Also, I want the windows 7 to be on the ssd fully. Thats what I had originally planned for the ssd, but at the time of purchase, I didn't have a copy of windows I could install on it. So i just used it to store game video clips and such. But whether I want the game clips to stay on the ssd or not depends on whether I can use things like .net framework from my hard drive with the win10 on the win7.

SkyNetRising · Sep 4, 2016

Chicano :

Dude! You haven't installed a single windows7 PC this year for sure.
Try it and update it only using windows automatic updates. Let's see how long it takes for you.

I bet even a day will not be enough for you.

USAFRet · Sep 4, 2016

JhonConners :

is there a way,

Here's where things get really complicated.
Trying to use applications/features/installs/functions from another OS, in a different Windows OS.

The easy answer is NO.
The complex answer is - This would take WAY more work than just starting over.

JhonConners · Sep 4, 2016

USAFRet :

Alright. Then I guess I will store the os on an entire 128 Gb partition.

Now the SSD right now is already partitioned, just shrunk that down to allow for the 25gb partition. Would I be able to directly delete the 25gb one to where it is the full 128gb partition again?

USAFRet · Sep 4, 2016

OK, and back to square 1.

What do you want, on which drive, and what drives do you have in this system?

Enlarging disk partitions

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