Resizing system partition without deleting data

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  1. Posts : 62
    Windows 7 Professional 64bit
       #1

    Resizing system partition without deleting data


    Hi all.
    I just have a question for you guys smarter than me as I was unable to find solution for this one.
    I have 2 partitions on 1 physical HDD. One for System and one for Data. On the one for Data I've got about 100GB free space and the one for System has only 1GB of free space. Now I'll be reinstalling Windows 7 soon and would like to make partition for data bigger. Is there any way to take away like 5 GB from the Data partition and give it to System partition without having to format all HDD? I don't want to loose files from the Data partition.
    Last edited by binks; 20 Apr 2013 at 10:28. Reason: Spelling mistake
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  2. Posts : 19,383
    Windows 10 Pro x64 ; Xubuntu x64
       #2

    Hi,

    Yes you can do that. Normally, you simply shrink C: (your system partition presumably), therby creating free unallocated space. Then you expand your existing data partition into the previously created unallocated space. Very easy.

    Use Parition Wizard to do this, as it is more flexible than Windows Disk Management for this job:

    Partition Wizard : Use the Bootable CD

    Before you start, post an image of the existing disk management so we can check for any possible issues before you start:

    Disk Management - Post a Screen Capture Image

    Regards,
    Golden
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  3. Posts : 2,497
    Windows 7 Pro 64 bit
       #3

    You should make a backup of all important files on the data drive. Usually there are no problems with partition resizing but occasionally things go wrong.

    Of course you should have a backup of all important files anyway. Files of particular importance need 2 or more backup copies. Having no backups is asking for trouble. Data recovery is always hit or miss and cannot be relied on.
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  4.    #4

    There is a cool new feature on the PW CD that will allow you to borrow space from any other partition even if it's not adjacent. Watch this video: How to extend partition easily with Partition Wizard - video help.
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  5. Posts : 3
    Windows 7 Ultimate x32
       #5

    Proprietary disk partition tools will do this for you and move data safely outside of Windows, though there is always a risk of e.g. a power cut, so it is wise to back up the data first!

    I recommend Easus Partition Master Professional - very easy to use, as long as you know how partitioning works and what it does! (resize existing partition, create partition from new unallocated space, format new partition and allocate a drive letter or description to it, will require reboot to resize and to apply these changes!)

    Windows shrink tool is only really suited to new hard drives or hard drives without much data on, or it likely won't find space to shrink an existing partition or drive space. Windows shrink tool is unable to move 'fixed' files. :)
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  6. Posts : 13,576
    Windows 10 Pro x64
       #6

    Why would you recommend EaseUs Pro ? It costs $39.95.
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  7.    #7

    We prefer free Partition Wizard bootable CD which has helped with tens of thousands of complicated partitioning operations here without a single failure, while all others except Disk Mgmt can and will fail with data loss.
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  8. Posts : 62
    Windows 7 Professional 64bit
    Thread Starter
       #8

    Was a little busy, but thanks for all the advice:) Now I have different problem, as my dvd stopped to read dvd's so I can't install Win all over, but I think I'll have to do a bootable pendrive with win7, never mind. So thanks again for this and I'll try this bootable Mini Tool.
    BTW, as I have laptop and replacing dvd will mean disassembling all my pc (dvd is below motherboard ), what do you think it could be? Just DVD gone bad (I checked and don't have upper or lower filters in regedit, usb dvd reads discs) or could it be just dirty lens?
    Attached Thumbnails Attached Thumbnails Resizing system partition without deleting data-disk-management.jpg  
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  9.    #9

    I'd try removing filters, cleaning lens first.

    Also, most laptops DVD drives slide in and out after removing a few screws. Have you looked at your schematics or googled the model + replace OD DVD CD to see for sure?
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  10. Posts : 62
    Windows 7 Professional 64bit
    Thread Starter
       #10

    gregrocker said:
    I'd try removing filters, cleaning lens first.

    Also, most laptops DVD drives slide in and out after removing a few screws. Have you looked at your schematics or googled the model + replace OD DVD CD to see for sure?
    Yep. Unfortunately I'll have to almost completely take it apart:|
    Look Dell XPS M1330 | Optical Drive Replacement | How-To-Tutorial - YouTube
    Last edited by binks; 10 May 2013 at 14:38. Reason: spelling and link
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