How do I increase partition size?

[robertq]

Hi,

I have hard disk with 3 Partions C, D & E.

C has Win XP, D has win 7 & D is data.

I need to increase the size of D ( Win 7 Partition )

C has 10 GB available space & E has 13 GB available.

I woould like to use space from C & Reinstall Win 7 in D.

What is the best & fastest way ? I have Norton Partit Magic software & Paragon Partition Manager too but I like Norton. It is esier it seems.

Last time I tried to take space from E, it took forever.

Should I Format Win 7 Partition & make it Blank first & then take space from C ?

OR there is a better way ? I do want Reinstall Win 7 anyway.

Thanks
Robert

 

[Archean]

I prefer Partition Wizard over the above two, but thats just me.

Anyway, you can easily manage your partitions the way you like. However, you need to wait for a while to complete the operation no matter which utility you may use.

You don't need to reinstall any thing, simply drag and apply the changes you want to make (i.e. increase D drive's size by allocating free space from C/E drives) and that is that.

 

[gbhall]

Do you really want to re-install Win7 on D:, or are you thinking you cannot change the partition size without re-installing?

Assuming you really want to re-install, the quickest way is as Archean says
1. re-size c: down by say 7Gb.
2. delete partition D:
3. re-install Win7 to newly-empty space

another way would not require re-install on D:
1. re-size C: down by say 7Gb
2. move D: down to end of C:
3. enlarge D: to occupy all space currently at end of D:

The second set of actions would take longer, but actually shorter overall because of no need to reinstall Win7.

It goes without saying you should first take a drive image of C: (and D: also if choosing not to reinstall). Image drive(s) onto a USB drive or DVD media if there is no room on E:

 

[DelJo63]

As already stated, BACKUP everything before you touch anything.
Ghost or Acronis image would be great.

A) ensure the HD has no bad blocks or other issues
foreach (C, D, E, .....)
run -> chkdsk /f
obviously from an admin login

B) defrag each partition to create large contiguous freespace chucks

C) now use any tool to contract one PT and expand another.

 

[red1776]

Your problem can be solved by the 3rd software that disk management can not do well.
I recommend you Extend Partition Assistant Professional Edition. This software will finish the work you mentioned flawlessly, I promise.
You can have a try.
After this, you will find this is the best way to extend partition size.
And this software has free edition, you can experience its superiority.
extend-partition.com/extend-system-boot-partition.html
Go and see website, it's helpful.

...or you can skip the commercial and do what Jobeard said.

 

[ravisunny2]

Definitely skip the commercial.

Would chkdsk /r be better ?

And yes, do take a backup. I lost a partition 2 days ago. :blackeye:

 

[Archean]

Chkdsk /r (implies /f as well) is only going to repair file system structures, and it won't change any sizes.

Please note that chkdsk only inspects the physical structure of a disk to make sure that it is healthy. It can repair problems related to bad sectors, lost clusters, cross-linked files, and directory errors. In addition chkdsk can also serve as an early warning that a hard drive is deteriorating. Disks gradually wear out and sectors may become bad. If Chkdsk starts finding bad sectors, that is a sign that a drive may need replacing.