Increase size of C:\ drive

[pcastric]

Running Windows 7 Professional SP1 on a Dell 1764.

My hard drive is partitioned as follows: C:\ = 99.9gig with 20gig free, D:\ = 365gig with 312gig free. Seeing that my laptop is a Dell, another partition exists with the operating system which could be used to put the computer back to factory settings.

With only 20gigs of free space on the C:\ drive, my laptop is running slow. I've been told the only way to increase space on C:\ is to wipe the drive, re-partition it, and reinstall everything.

A work colleague mentioned that he had used Partition Magic to transfer space from his D:\ drive and add it to his C:\ drive.

Any recommendations would greatly be appreciated.

Pierre

 

[seavixen32]

Your system is running slow because the minimum recommendation for Windows 7 32-bit is 16GB of HDD space rising to 20GB for Windows 7 64-bit, while it's thought you need nearer 40GB for a normal installation.

What you would need to to is reduce the size of the D drive on the left-hand size of the drive instead of the right, and then extend the C drive to take up the resulting free space.

Unfortunately, Windows 7's disk management tool is too basic and won't allow you to do that.

You need something like Acronis Disk Director, Paragon Partition Wizard or Easus Partition Manager - just do a search on Google for them.

You might want to check through the tutorials here on WSF as they are a mine of information.

A word of warning, before you start, backup everything including a complete system image before you start.

 

[pcastric]

Thanks for the help, I will view the help before I undertake anything.

I had done a google search and did find a number of applications you suggested. How would I do a backup everything including a complete system image before I start?

Your system is running slow because the minimum recommendation for Windows 7 32-bit is 16GB of HDD space rising to 20GB for Windows 7 64-bit, while it's thought you need nearer 40GB for a normal installation.

What you would need to to is reduce the size of the D drive on the left-hand size of the drive instead of the right, and then extend the C drive to take up the resulting free space.

Unfortunately, Windows 7's disk management tool is too basic and won't allow you to do that.

You need something like Acronis Disk Director, Paragon Partition Wizard or Easus Partition Manager - just do a search on Google for them.

You might want to check through the tutorials here on WSF as they are a mine of information.

A word of warning, before you start, backup everything including a complete system image before you start.

 

[seavixen32]

Go into Control Panel>System & Security>Backup Your Computer>Create A System Image and follow the wizard's instructions.

It is best to backup to an external hard drive if you have one. You mentioned that Dell's recovery partition is still available so you could use that to recover your computer, but of course you would then have to re-partition your drive afterwards if you wanted to get back to your extended C drive.

 

[pcastric]

Thank you for your help (BTW - it was under Backup and Restore).

I have a Western Digital My Book (1T) at home - so I will to create a System Image and will let you know how it went.

Pierre

 

[seavixen32]

OK, I hope it goes well for you.

 

[pcastric]

I created a system image and backup disk.

I spoke to someone at a local computer shop about extending the size of my C:\ drive in order to speed things up. The tech claimed moving large files off of my C:\ and D:\ drive would increase the speed of my laptop. I responded that seavixen32 noted that 40gigs would normally be required for a normal Win7 installation (I have 20gigs). He tried to convince me that the OS would look at the total amount of space in both partitions instead of looking at free space on C:\ drive.

Your comments please.

Pierre

 

[Bare Foot Kid]

Hello Pierre.


Before we make any specific recommendations will you please post a snip/screen-shot of the entire disk management drive map with a full description as to which drive/partition is which, so we can see what you have going on as there may be a fairly simple way to resolve the situation.

In the Windows start menu right click computer and click manage, in the left pane of the "Computer Management" window that opens click disk management and post a maximized snip of that.

How to Upload and Post a Screenshot and File in Seven Forums


​

 

[pcastric]

See attached document

 

[Bare Foot Kid]

Hello Pierre.


Before we make any specific recommendations will you please post a snip/screen-shot of the entire disk management drive map with a full description as to which drive/partition is which, so we can see what you have going on as there may be a fairly simple way to resolve the situation.

In the Windows start menu right click computer and click manage, in the left pane of the "Computer Management" window that opens click disk management and post a maximized snip of that.

How to Upload and Post a Screenshot and File in Seven Forums


​

Please post a snip using the method outlined in the tutorial, I don't open attached docs.

 

[pcastric]

 

[Bare Foot Kid]

A work colleague mentioned that he had used Partition Magic to transfer space from his D:\ drive and add it to his C:\ drive.

Any recommendations would greatly be appreciated.

Pierre

You could do this bit I wouldn't use that program, it's no longer Windows compatible.

Have a look starting at Step One of this tutorial at the link below to get an idea of how to go about shrinking the left side of the D: partition so that created unallocated space can then be added to C: using Windows 7 disk management; and be sure to post back with any further questions you may have and to keep us informed.

System Reserved : Create for Dual Boot

First download the Partition Wizard Bootable Disk (PWBD) ISO file to the desktop, be sure to get the PWBD and not the installed version; scroll down to see the download link for the bootable CD ISO file at this link below.

Partition Wizard Free Bootable CD

Then use ImgBurn to burn the ISO to a CD, at no greater than 4x speed with a verify; it was designed for use and works best from a CD rather that a DVD then boot the created CD to make the changes.

ImgBurn Free ISO Burning Software

 

[pcastric]

View attachment DiskManagement.doc

Its been a long time coming but here is the DiskManagement screen capture you requested. I await your response.

Pierre

 

[ddadda82]

100 gigs for C and it's still not enough? Wow. Mine is like 50 GB and I still have a lot of free space there.

 

[pcastric]

The reason for wanting to increase free space on my C:/ drive is that my system is slow especially in boot up time. I would like to have at least 50GB of free space on the C:/ drive.

Pierre

 

[ignatzatsonic]

You have over 20 gigs free on a 100 gig partition.

I wouldn't expect that to be a reason for slow performance or booting.

But maybe you need more space for other reasons. If free space got down to 15 or 10 gigs, I'd certainly then enlarge C.

From the looks of your screenshot, you may need the Partition Wizard boot disk to do the job.

Free Download Magic Partition Manager Software - Partition Wizard Online

 

[pcastric]

Thanks for your reply. I clicked the link you provided - you noted I should download the file at the bottom of the window under "Free Download Bootable CD Now!". Once I download the file, will it guide me on how to proceed?

Also, as a precaution, should I create a system image??

Pierre

 

[ddadda82]

It is always a good idea to make a system image or complete backup before proceeding with partition software.

 

[pcastric]

I created a system image as a precaution. I launched the MiniTool Partition Wizard and have questions before proceeding. I want to "take" 50:00 GB from my D:/ drive and add the 50.00 GB to my C:/ drive.

Firstly, do I select C: or *:? Once I select the right one, I click Move/Resize Partition and what do I enter in Unallocate Space Before, Partition Size, and Unallocate Space After fields?

One completed and click the OK button, what will happen??

Pierre


View attachment MiniTool Partition Wizard options page.doc

View attachment Move Resize Partition.doc

 

[ignatzatsonic]

Pcastric:

I have used Partition Wizard, but don't have it immediately at hand and am not an expert with it at any rate.

Someone like forum member Gregrocker is an expert with it, so I would sit tight and get an answer from him or someone more qualified than I am.

It's a good piece of software and should work fine for you, but you did good to make an image first.