Windows 7: how to create a logical drive from an unallocated partition?

I have just shrunk my C: drive and the unallocated partition failed to be formatted and assigned a drive letter. I followed the completing the new simple volume wizard but it didnt work. Instead it returned an error message that I have exceeded the number of partitions allowed.



All I wanted was a logical drive. So how do I go about creating one?

To use Disk Mgmt you'll have to delete one partition and create a new one to get an Extended Logical partition.

Using free Partition Wizard bootable CD you can create the Logical now, most likely, or rightclick a data partition to Modify>Convert to Logical. Do not convert the System partition or Recovery partition.

Once you have Logical partition you can add as many sub-partitions as desired until you run out of remaining letters.

Thanks Greg for the advice. I am a novice and am a bit confused. I have a 244GB unallocated partition that I intended to name E: Data for all my data. But I cannot get it formatted and assigned a drive letter using the New Simple Volume Wizard. See attachment screen shot.

When I right click the unallocated partition, there is no command in the menu for deleting it as you can see from screen shot attached. Appreciate if you can share with me step by step how to go about it.

Unless I'm blind, you seem to be clicked on the live partition right beside it.

Hello Eagle1, welcome to Seven Forums!



There is a four partition MBR limit on the number of partitions that can be created using Windows disk management.

4 Primary partitions or

3 Primary and a single Extended partition

As many Logical drives as there are available drive letters can be created inside the Extended.

You are already at the partition availibility limit as the dialog box states.

Hi Bare Foot Kid,
Yes I'm at the limit. What do I have to do next?

Have you made your PC's Recovery Disks?

How many partition would you like?

Start by downloading the ISO from the link below and burn it to a CD with ImgBurn at 4x speed with a verify and boot the PC with it; it takes no input from the user to startup.

Partition Wizard Free Bootable CD

ImgBurn Free ISO Burning Software


Then starting with this.

click any image to enlarge

In the Partition Wizard program, right click the Extended partition to select/highlight it and click "Move/Resize" in the selection box.

Then click and hold to drag the slider all the way to the left and click ok.

In the left pane "Operations Pending" colume click Apply then Yes for the confirmation.

This is what you will end up with and be sure to post back with any further questions you may have and to keep us informed.

Hi Bare Foot Kid, Thank you for the genuine & clear instructions. I'll try it out and let you know the result.

You're welcome and do remember to keep me informed.