Resizing partition with unmovable files

teal · 13 Dec 2009

I want to shrink my C partition with Windows 7 installed, but Win7 partition manager wont shrink it past 200GB because of unmovable files. I dont know what files those are though.

If I use Partition Wizard to shrink the size to 100GB, is it safe to resize when there are unmovable files? Will this damage my system?

Why can a third party program shrink the partition, but Windows cant?

Thanks for any info.

mushroomboy · 13 Dec 2009

You could shrink it, but I don't like the idea of unmovable files. I'd do backups of everything important and if all else fails you'll have to re-install. =( It could be system files too.

RogerR · 13 Dec 2009

teal said:

If I use Partition Wizard to shrink the size to 100GB, is it safe to resize when there are unmovable files? Will this damage my system?

Why can a third party program shrink the partition, but Windows cant?

You are asking a bit much of your OS if you expect it to outperform every third party program out there.

PW works very well. Not sure what your HDD setup is or what else is on your boot partition, but consider restricting Win7 to about 50GB or so in it's own partition.

Barman58 · 13 Dec 2009

The reason that Windows' own disk management has issues with the "unmovable" files on the system partition is that it runs within windows thus making certain files "in Use" and therefore not possible to move.

Things such as Partition Wizard are designed to work outside of the operating system for these very issues.

I am sure Microsoft could develop a similar system but I think the old demon of a Microsoft monopoly would raise it's head

I would actually advise the use of Partition Wizard's boot disk to work with the system partition.

RogerR · 13 Dec 2009

Barman58 said:

Things such as Partition Wizard are designed to work outside of the operating system for these very issues.

Just to expand on that - PW will allow you to make all your modifications within the GUI of windows, but won't actually MAKE the changes until you reboot.

You may be required to do a repair on reboot (this is OK) so have your Install disk handy. As always, a backup is a good idea if you aren't comfy doing back flips without a net.

costello · 13 Dec 2009

you can also try with Acronis Disk Director Suite working very fine :)

teal · 13 Dec 2009

Thanks for your input everyone.

I actually just used PerfectDisk to defrag C, and it did the trick. I didnt even have to run in at boot time. I was able to shrink my C drive using the Windows 7 disk management tool, to 100GB.

So, I wont be needing the 3rd party partition software after all. :)