Unable to extend C: partition

[JaidynM]

Okay. I recently created a 100GB partition for Windows 8. I then realised I would only need 50GB so I shrunk it by 50GB leaving me 50GB unallocated space. I then tried to use this as a partition for Ubuntu. Unfortunately, this was an 'extended partition' of the W8 one so I am unable to put any other OS's on it.

I've tried deleting the partition but it doesn't let me extend my C: partition. I can extend the W8 partition just fine. I'd prefer to solve this without uninstalling W8, deleting both partitions and starting again. I've attached a screenshot of my Disk Management if it helps at all.

I hope I've explained this alright. If you need any additional details, I'll be be glad to provide them.

 

[alphanumeric]

You can't extend your C partition because the windows 8 partition is between it and the free space. I believe it has to be continuous space (side by side) for that to work.

 

[theog]

You can only Extend C: if you delete W:.

How to delete Win 8.
http://www.eightforums.com/tutorial...ows-8-delete-windows-8-developer-preview.html

 

[JaidynM]

Right. So there's nothing I can really do short of deleting the W8 partition and starting again? And after I do that, can I still make another partition for Ubuntu? What I mean is, can I have two partitions; one for W8, one of Ubuntu?

 

[Bill2]

Windows will not let you expand a partition into unallocated space except the space that is to the IMMEDIATE RIGHT of the partition being extended. Use Partition Wizard boot cd to resize partitions per choice. Make sure any important data is backed up.

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/93322-partition-wizard-use-bootable-cd.html

 

[JaidynM]

Okay, so Partition Wizard will let me extend C:?

 

[Bill2]

Okay, so Partition Wizard will let me extend C:?

No. First extend Win8 partition to the right into the existing unallocated space either in windows or via PW. Then in PW shrink the win8 partition from the left to create unallocated space between the win7 partition and the win8 partition. Then extend win7 partition to the unallocated space to the immediate right.

 

[JaidynM]

Ah, okay. Then create a partition for Ubuntu to the immediate right of the C: partition?

 

[Bill2]

Ah, okay. Then create a partition for Ubuntu to the immediate right of the C: partition?

Ya, if thats what you want.

 

[TVeblen]

One note on Partition Wizard: Use the bootable CD (ISO), not the free edition you install on the hard drive.

 

[JaidynM]

One note on Partition Wizard: Use the bootable CD (ISO), not the free edition you install on the hard drive.

Right, any reason for this?

 

[TVeblen]

Two

The Free edition of PW is limited trialware. Some of the more advanced features will not be available. The bootable CD (ISO) has all features enabled.

It is not advisable to alter the Windows partition while Windows is running. The bootable CD runs on its own (Linux IIRC).

 

[JaidynM]

Awesome, I'll give it a shot and post back the results. Thanks all. One more question... How many primary partitions can I make in PW? I can't seem to make another from Disk Management.

 

[rraod]

Hi JaidynM,

Usually Windows 7's disk management tool allows you to create 3 primary partitions only with an extended partition and logical drives.

As you already have three primary partitions (2 for windows 7 and one for windows 8) Windows 7's disk management program will not allow you to create another primary partition, but only an extended partition and logical drives inside. So you can not create another primary partition for Ubuntu.

You have to use a third party program like Easeus Partition Master or Minitool Partition Wizard boot CD or any similar program to create a fourth primary partiton from the unallocated space (50GB) left.

As an example, I have used Easeus Partition Master program and created a fourth primary partition on a virtual machine's second HDD. (See attached images).

The only caveat is that you need to use the complete unallocated space for this fourth primary partition. Otherwise any leftover unallocated space will go waste and can not be reclaimed.

If you dropped the idea of installing Ubuntu on this machine and use this free space for Windows 7's C: drive - Easeus Partition Master's Move partition command can move a partition without extend and shrinking the partition. The windows 8 partition can be moved to end of the disk with this command. This will move the free space between C: drive of Win 7 and Windows 8.

Now you can resize the Windows 7's C: drive to take this space. You don't have to extend and shrink Windows 8 partition to achieve this.

 

[rraod]

Normally any hard disk will allow 4 primary partitions or 3 primary partitions and 1 extended partition with multiple logical drives. But you can have only one active partition which has to be a primary partition.