Partition or Volume - Shrink

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  1. Posts : 13
    Windows 7 Ultimate 32-bit
       #40

    Hello. I have a question for you.
    So, I have a WD Caviar 500 Gt hard drive which I have partitioned to 156 Gt C: (OS) and 309 Gt E: (Storage). And now I'm running out of space on the E: drive.

    I'm pretty sure I CAN do this but I'm not 100% sure if/how so I decided to ask it here: Can I just shrink the C: drive size from 156 Gt to 56 Gt without it affecting the OS files at all and expand the E: drive with the now unused 100 Gt again without affecting the files? Or do I need to do something more?

    Sorry if this has been asked before.
    Thanks. :)

    PS. The image's are in finnish but I think you guys are geeky enough (no offense ) to know every part without even the need to translate. Still, if you need a translation I'll try my best.
    Attached Thumbnails Attached Thumbnails Partition or Volume - Shrink-sieppaa.png   Partition or Volume - Shrink-sieppaa1.png  
      My Computer


  2. Posts : 71,977
    64-bit Windows 11 Pro for Workstations
    Thread Starter
       #41

    Hello Shiori,

    You will not be able to using Disk Management in Windows 7, but you should be able to shrink C and expand E into that shrunk space using a 3rd party program like the free Partition Wizard Home Edition.

    Hope this helps,
    Shawn
      My Computer


  3. Posts : 84
    vista
       #42

    hi bring
    i have a trouble
    (first of all i have to say my os language is turkish
    i translate the error messages it can be different at your system)

    i want to shring my hdd and i dıd it.But when i said "New Simple Volume" i took this error message

    "selected process converts the selected basic disk to dynamic disk. convert dynamic disk to disk, the disk operating system installed in the unit, starting from any. (Except the current boot volume)
    Do you want to continue?"

    when i say yes i took this error report:

    by dynamic disks do not support this operating system. clusters do not support dynamic disks.

    how i solve this problem?
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  4. Posts : 71,977
    64-bit Windows 11 Pro for Workstations
    Thread Starter
       #43

    Helllo Nonpasaran,

    You do not want to convert it to a dynamic disk. That is for sure. Could you post a screenshot of Disk Management showing your drive layout of the one you want to shrink? This will help us determine what you may be able to do for this. :)
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  5. Posts : 84
    vista
       #44

    sory for late replay
    i will post screenshot asap but this problem is not mine I'm still waiting screenshot from my friend too

    here is screenshots





    Last edited by nonpasaran; 13 Mar 2010 at 09:41.
      My Computer


  6. Posts : 10,200
    MS Windows 7 Ultimate SP1 64-bit
       #45

    I do not recommend this for the weak of heart, but I successfully shrunk my C: by

    1. creating a WIM file of C:
    2. booting from a USB stick made from the DVD created by System Repair option of Backup & Restore
    3. using DiskPart to delete, create, format, assign drive letters
    4. applying the WIM I had created (ah yes, forgot to mention I put ImageX onto that USB stick since that is essential and ImageX is available thru WAIK-the Windows Automated Installation Kit)
    5. rebooting the system
    6. going thru a repair boot cycle to let Win7 put the MBR back in order.

    I definitely do not recommend this approach for the normal user and have mentioned the procedure to indicate that one can shrink any partition using the tools that MS provides. There use is not easy and not straight-forward.

    My experience with the 3rd-party products has been that they only work, without complications, under what I would call ideal conditions.

    Brink has written a great tutorial to allow you take advantage of the capabilities of DiskManagement and DiskPart. The problem is that Microsoft has a nasty habit of locating unmovable files near the end of a partition.
      My Computer


  7. Posts : 84
    vista
       #46

    hi shawn
    I posted screenshots
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  8. Posts : 71,977
    64-bit Windows 11 Pro for Workstations
    Thread Starter
       #47

    Nonpasaran,

    The problem is that on Disk 0 you have hit the 4 primary partition limit for a hard disk. Normal for more, you would have 3 primary partitions (DK.navy/purple) and 1 logical partition (blue) that contains separate volumes. The only way for you to create another partition is this:
    • Create a set of HP recovery discs, "Windows 7 Recovery Disc" and "Applications & Drivers Disc". This way you can use these instead to reinstall Windows 7 with instead of the recovery partition.
    • Delete both the "Recovery D:" and "HP_Tools" partitions. You will need to delete the partitions (maybe twice) until they show as unallocated space.
    • With the unallocated space, you should be able to create your partition now using this tutorial.
      My Computer


  9. Posts : 28
    Windows 7 Home Premium (64-bit)
       #48

    Pre-Partitioning Advice


    Hello Shawn,
    First of all, thanks for your great help and support :)

    I have a new Sony VAIO VGN-NW21MF/W and I'd like to partition it. First I asked the store technical assistant about partitioning and he said that it's not possible unless I format the laptop and reinstall Windows 7 but now I see that it's possible through this tutorial that I found by coincidence while browsing the forums.

    Before partitioning (I only want to create one additional Drive: D which is equal in size to C; so I basically want to divide my main drive into two partitions) I need some advice and some answers to my questions as I don't want to mess up my new laptop and because I'm not familiar neither with partitioning nor with Windows 7...yet. So here are my questions:

    - Very silly/noobish question: Does partitioning mean creating a second Drive (Drive D)?
    - Do I really have to defrag my system before shrinking/partitioning?
    - What are the risks if I make a mistake when shrinking/partitioning (file loss for example)?
    - When using Partition Wizard - Home Edition, will I be able to choose the name of new Drive (I want to name it D) or it's done automatically?

    And here are some screenshots that might help you answer my questions:


    I'm really sorry for bothering you with my countless questions (it's just that I also love to learn new things, not only get the job done) and thanks in advance for your precious support, help, and time :)
      My Computer


  10. whs
    Posts : 26,210
    Vista, Windows7, Mint Mate, Zorin, Windows 8
       #49

    Let me try to help out:
    1. A new partition is a new partition. The word "drive" is usually used for a physical disk.
    2. Defrag is not required. You have about 211GB of space available after shrinking - normally that should be enough and a defrag will not buy you more (because of the MFT)
    3. If you shrink with disk management, there are no risks. If you use some OEM product, anything can happen.
    4. Partition wizard proposes a drive letter, but you can choose your own.
    5. I have made a 12 minute video tutorial just for that purpose. Suggest you have a look.

    Bonne chance.

    PS: make sure you do not create another primary partition because you already have 3. With 4 you would be stuck and could not create further partitions. Just create a simple partition.
      My Computer


 
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