Can I merge two partitions on the same HDD?

[ZakASenior]

I currently have a WD 750GB Scorpio Blue HDD and I wanted to know if I could merge partitions as currently C: is a small partition of 80GB and that contains the windows install (I clicked the wrong partition in a rush) and so I am left with the rest of the 600+GB as a new volume which contains all of my files and it is becoming a pain to get to my files quickly.

The reason I want to do this is I want to access Documents, Pictures, Videos etc without having to go onto Computer > New Volume > Documents/Pictures/Music, I just want to access it straight away the usual way via the Start Menu.

Can this be done without another Win install?

Thanks!

 

[AddRAM]

I would use Partition Wizard. It can be done through windows, but the space to the right of C would have to be unallocated space, you would have to get all your data off the 600 GB partition first.

Again, Backup your data first.

http://www.partitionwizard.com/mergepartitions/windows-7-merge-partition.html

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/2670-partition-volume-extend.html

http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/shrink-extend-volumes-partitions-windows-7/

http://www.petri.co.il/extending-the-system-partition-in-windows-7.htm

Free Partition Magic alternative, partition manager freeware, partition magic server, partition magic Windows 7 and free Partition Manager software for Windows 7/8/VISTA/XP/2000 and Windows Server 2003/2008/2000.

I highly recommend making and using the bootable cd.

Partition Wizard Bootable CD allows user to manage partition directly with partition manager bootable CD.

I would seriously consider keeping the 2 seperate partitions, you can always just copy and paste your documents to the My Documents folder on C. That way you can keep backups on the other partition and you can also store disk images on it.

If you want a large system partition, C, just make it at least 200 to 250 GBs.

 

[essenbe]

You could do as AddRam suggested or ou could also http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/18629-user-folders-change-default-location.html which would also accomplish what you want. They will appear as though they were on the C drive.

 

[BigAlC]

My 2 Cents Worth

You DON'T want just 1 partition. When (NOT if) you have to

reinstall Windows, you'll have to copy all of your data

to a safe place, reinstall and then re-copy all of your

data back to where it belongs.

I have a quick way to get to ANY folder I regularly need to get to.

I went to my C's Program Files folder and right clicked it

and clicked "Create shortcut".

Windows came up with that "Can't do it here" window and said

it can only be put on the desktop. I clicked yes and let it.

When I went to the shortcut and right-clicked it and went to

properties, I saw "C:\Program Files" in the Target line.

Now, say I want to open the Video Downloads folder I have on

my D Drive. Where that Program Files Shortcut said

"C:\Program Files" (BTW, the "" are put in by Windows) I change

it to C:\Windows\explorer.exe /n, /e, D:\Video Downloads

WITHOUT ANY ""'s. I double click on it and I go right to my

Video Downloads folder on my D Drive.

Want a second (or 3rd, 4th, 5th) quickie shortcut?

Just drag the folder away from where it is on your desktop while

holding down your Control key and you'll get a copy that you can

rename to, say My Music downloads and then change the Target to:

C:\Windows\explorer.exe /n, /e, D:\My Music

Now I'm a double click away from whatever folder I want.

Easy!

Big Al