How to change disk size – 3 programs

In some situations, the user needs to change the disk size by changing the ratio of disk space between hard disk partitions, create a new partition. This is required for the rational distribution of space on the disks (partitions, volumes) of the computer, when it is necessary to select the appropriate sizes of disk partitions.

On new computers, there is usually only one partition: the local drive “C:”, which takes up all the space. We do not take into account the hidden system partitions necessary for the normal operation of Windows, they are not displayed in Explorer, these partitions should not be touched when performing operations with computer disks.

Users independently create new logical disks on the PC hard drive – partitions in order to separate the system from the place where user data is stored. One disk contains the Windows operating system with programs, the other partition stores the necessary information: files, documents, images, videos, music, and so on. In this case, when the system is reinstalled, user data will be saved, because they are located on another disk (partition) of the computer.

If necessary, the user can change the size of the hard disk partitions: separate some part of the space from one partition, and then attach the resulting free space to another partition, or create a new logical partition from the separated space. You can change the Windows disk partition: attach, or, conversely, separate some of the disk space from the system partition, redistribute space between other hard disk partitions.

The Windows operating system has a built-in system tool: the Disk Management snap-in, designed to perform operations between partitions and disks of a computer. When using the system tool, in most cases, it will not be possible to redistribute disk space between partitions without losing data on one of the partitions.

The redistribution of space between disks occurs according to the following algorithm:

1. First, the required amount of disk space is separated from one partition, due to which you need to increase the space on another partition.
2. The unallocated space is then attached to another partition that needs to be enlarged.

If you need to create a new partition on the hard disk from free space separated from another partition, then this unallocated area is not attached anywhere, a new logical disk (partition, volume) is created in its place.

Using third-party programs to change disk partitions

To bypass the limitations of the Windows operating system on working with hard disk partitions, you need to use third-party software. Specialized programs for working with disk partitions can perform operations without data loss, to redistribute disk space on a computer.

In this guide you will find instructions for working in the programs: AOMEI Partition Assistant, Acronis Disk Director, EASEUS Partition Master.

Third-party programs can be run directly from a computer, or use bootable media: Live CD, Live DVD, Live USB, Windows PE, on which the program is recorded. The boot disk is pre-created. You can use solutions downloaded from the websites of software manufacturers, or find a ready-made boot disk with programs on the Internet.

Working with a program recorded on a bootable USB flash drive or CD / DVD disc proceeds as follows:

1. Immediately after turning on the computer, before starting Windows, the user selects the desired disk in the Boot Menu (boot menu) to boot.
2. The contents of a bootable flash drive or CD / DVD are loaded into the PC’s RAM.
3. The user starts the program to perform the necessary actions.

In this article, we will consider the AOMEI Partition Assistant Standard program installed on the computer, other applications (Acronis Disk Director, EASEUS Partition Master) will be used from the bootable media, without installing programs on the PC. With the help of these applications, the user will be able to change the size of the Windows 7, Windows 10 disk without losing data on the partitions that have undergone changes.

Resizing Disk Partitions in AOMEI Partition Assistant

The AOMEI Partition Assistant program has a free version: AOMEI Partition Assistant Standard Edition, which supports the Russian interface language. Download the program from the link, and then install it on your computer.

The main window of AOMEI Partition Assistant Standard displays all disks connected to the computer.

There are system partitions on the hard disk, marked with asterisks, which should not be touched while working with disk partitions.

The computer has two logical drives: the system partition “C:” and the partition “D:vellisa” (on your computer, the partition may have a different letter, and there will be a different volume label), designed to store user data.

The system disk is full, this is indicated by a red color. We will add some space there from another drive, while all the data on the “D:” drive will be preserved.

Do the following:

1. Right-click on the partition from which you want to separate space for transfer to another hard disk partition.
2. Select Resize Partition from the context menu.
3. In the “Moving and resizing a partition” window, move the label to the required amount of disk space.

• The “Unallocated space before:” field displays the amount of space that you can expand another disk.
• The Partition Size field shows the new size of the partition left after unallocated space has been separated from the disk.

4. Click on the “OK” button.

An unallocated space has appeared on the hard disk, which we can attach to another disk, in this case, the “C:” drive.

5. Right-click on the “C:” drive, select “Resize Partition” from the context menu.
6. In the Move and Modify Partition window, drag the label all the way until there is no unallocated space left.
7. Click on the “OK” button.

Unallocated space is attached to a logical drive, the partition has grown in size.

8. To perform the operation, click on the “Apply” button.
9. In the “Pending operations” window, do not change anything, click on the “Go” button.
10. In the next window, we are warned that the program will automatically create WinPE and enter it to perform operations to change disk partitions. If your computer has RAID, clear the “Enter into Windows PE mode to perform operations” checkbox. Click on the “Yes” button.
11. The program creates Windows PE and then automatically boots into Windows PE to complete the scheduled operations.
12. The computer will restart, after which the WinPE preinstallation environment will be loaded on the PC.
13. In the window that appears, select the Russian interface language.
14. The AOMEI Partition Assistant Operation Progress window displays the progress of partition modification operations.

The process may take a long time, depending on the size of the disk space being modified.

15. After completing all the operations, the program will inform you that the computer will automatically restart.
16. The Windows operating system will boot normally.

Log in to Explorer and make sure that the hard disk partitions have been resized and the data has been saved.

Attaching disk space to the system disk in Acronis Disk Director

We use the powerful program Acronis Disk Director, with which we need to attach space from the “D:” drive (or a drive with a different letter) to the system partition of the hard drive.

1. Launch Acronis Disk Director 12 from a boot disk: a flash drive or a CD/DVD.
2. Right-click on the “D:” drive, select “Resize Volume” from the context menu.
3. In the “Resize ‘Volume Label’ (D:)” window, move the slider to the desired amount of disk space that you want to attach to another disk.
4. Click on the “OK” button.
5. On the top bar, click on the “Apply Pending Operations” button.
6. In the “Pending Operations” window, review the information, and then click on the “Continue” button.
7. Operations are fixed in the program window.

The unallocated space is separated from the “D:” drive, now it needs to be attached to the “C:” drive.

1. Select the “C:” drive, in the context menu, click on “Resize Volume”.
2. Move the slider to take up all available space after the volume.
3. Click on the “OK” button.
4. In the Pending Operations window, click Continue.

After completing all the necessary steps, the computer disks with modified partitions will be displayed in the Acronis Disk Director program window.

Reboot, load the Windows operating system on the PC.

Shrink Disk Partition in EaseUS Partition Master

EaseUS Partition Master has a free version of EaseUS Partition Master Home Edition, the application works in English. We will use the program by booting from a WinPE disk.

Now we will do the reverse operation: we will separate some part of the space from the “C:” drive, and then we will add this unallocated space to the “D:” drive.

1. In the EaseUS Partition Master window, right-click on the “C:” drive.
2. Select Resize/Move from the context menu.
3. In the “Resize/Move” window, move the marker in the direction of reducing the disk to the desired size. Click on “Advanced Setting” to see or adjust the allocated space numerically.
4. Click on the “OK” button.
5. In the main window of EaseUS Partition Master, click on the “Execute Operation” button located on the top bar.
6. In the Pending Operation window, click the Apply button.
7. After completing the operation, click on the “Finish” button.

Now we need to add unallocated space to the “D:” drive.

1. Right-click the drive “D:”, in the context menu, click on “Resize / Move”.
2. In the “Resize / Move” window, move the slider to the end, taking up all the unallocated space.
3. Click on the “OK” button.
4. In the main window of EaseUS Partition Master, you need to click on the “Execute Operation” button to start the operation.
5. In the “Pending Operation” window, click on the “Apply” button.
6. Wait for the disk space attachment operation to complete.
7. Restart your computer, sign in to Windows.

Article Conclusions

To resize hard disk partitions, the user can use third-party software. AOMEI Partition Assistant, Acronis Disk Director, EaseUS Partition Master programs work from the Windows operating system, applications can be used from the WinPE preinstallation environment, from a Live CD, Live DVD, Live USB boot disk. Programs perform the necessary operations to resize disk space on hard disk partitions, without losing data.