Format partitions (v. ultimate)

[Zack Barresse]

I have Vista ultimate on a partitioned hard drive (C. The other partition
is a Windows XP OS (D. I would like to trim down the D: drive to a more
reasonable size; my first estimates (when reformatting) were a little high.
I want to take some space away from D: and allot some to the C: drive
(main). I thought I could do this from the Admin tools | Computer
Management. Do I need partition software for this or can Vista do this
natively for me?

 

[Abe]

I have Vista ultimate on a partitioned hard drive (C. The other partition
is a Windows XP OS (D. I would like to trim down the D: drive to a more
reasonable size; my first estimates (when reformatting) were a little high.
I want to take some space away from D: and allot some to the C: drive
(main). I thought I could do this from the Admin tools | Computer
Management. Do I need partition software for this or can Vista do this
natively for me?

Vista will let you extend a partition into unpartitioned space, so you
first have to shrink the D: volume.

I have yet to have Vista let me shrink a volume, and have not found a
satidfactory reason why, or how to make it work. I end up using
Partition Magic or Acronis Disk Doctor.

 

[Zack Barresse]

Thanks Abe. How about a program, preferrably free/shareware, which works
with a 64-bit OS?

 

[Rock]

I have Vista ultimate on a partitioned hard drive (C. The other
partition is a Windows XP OS (D. I would like to trim down the D: drive
to a more reasonable size; my first estimates (when reformatting) were a
little high. I want to take some space away from D: and allot some to the
C: drive (main). I thought I could do this from the Admin tools | Computer
Management. Do I need partition software for this or can Vista do this
natively for me?

Vista can't do what you want. It might be able to shrink the D: volume but
then the unallocated space would be to the right of D:. To expand a volume
into unallocated space that space has to be contiguous with, and to the
right of the volume you wish to expand. Vista has no way to move partitions
so that unallocated space is to the right of the C: volume, so it won't work
for you.

I saw your reply about 64bit and free software. Look at BootIt NG. They
offer a full featured 30 day free trail version. I don't know for sure if
it works with 64bit.

Do not use Partition Magic. Vista does not like partitions created/changed
by it.

Acronis Disk Director Suite 10 works fine in Vista 32bit. I don't know if
it's 64bit compatible.

 

[Abe]

Thanks Abe. How about a program, preferrably free/shareware, which works
with a 64-bit OS?

Don't know of one.

 

[Andy/Bandi]

Hello, Zack,

Yes, you can do it using Vista. See how to shrink and expand partitions at
http://vistarewired.com/2007/02/16/how-to-resize-a-partition-in-windows-vista/.

Andy

 

[Toyman]

Are you referring to the info on that link discussing running Diskpart.exe?
The last part of the instructions were confusing (e.go. you want to create a
partition, but then include the 'delete partition command . . .???). And
I'm wondering about the following threads saying it didn't work. Were you
able to make it work?
Toyman
__________________________

 

[R. C. White]

Hi, Zack.

You haven't given us any numbers, but if they fit, you could do it this way
with Disk Management For illustration, I'll use a 200 GB HD with 20 GB in
C: and the rest in D:, but only 50 GB used in D:. If you want to Extend C:
from 20 GB to 30 GB...

1. Shrink D: from 180 GB to 60 GB, creating 120 GB of unallocated space
following D:, leaving D: with the in-use 50 GB PLUS 10 GB for C:'s future
expansion.

2. Create a new partition (let's call it X in the newly-unallocated space
following the shrunken D:. Make it at least 50 GB; it could use the whole
120 GB.

3. Move everything from D: to X:. Use Xcopy.exe or Windows Explorer or
your favorite tool. (I've often used xcopy x: y: /c /h /e /r /k to move
entire WinXP boot volumes; the OS was still bootable in its new location,
after I edited Boot.ini.)

4. Delete D:, leaving 60 GB unallocated space immediately following C:.

5. Extend C: by 10 GB into the unallocated space formerly used by D:.
Drive C: is now 30 GB and the 50 GB following C: is unallocated.

6. Create a new D: in the 50 GB gap between C: and X:.

7. Move D:'s original contents back from X: to the new D:.

8. Optionally, Delete X: and Extend D: into some or all of the free space.


A bit of a hassle, but it can be done with no third-party tools. If you
prefer, you can use the DiskPart.exe shell from the Command Prompt, as shown
in Disk Management's Help file. Search for "Extend a Basic Volume" and
"Extend a Simple or Spanned Volume" in that Help file.

Vista's version of Disk Management added several features that were not in
earlier versions. Extend volume and Shrink volume are two of the new
commands. Vista will even allow us to extend or shrink the system or boot
volume.

One potential problem is that some files are unmovable. If some of the
files now on D: extend past the 50 GB boundary (in my example), then you
might not be able to shrink D: down to the space actually used by its files.
See "Shrink a Basic Volume" in the Help file for details. I don't know how
to easily test for this unless you use a disk defragger with a graphic UI
that will show you where the files are and if they are unmovable.

Yes, Zack, I have done some of these steps, successfully, more than once,
but not this exact project. ;<) But my liability insurance is limited to
the amount you've paid for this advice. :>(

RC
--
R. C. White, CPA
San Marcos, TX
(e-mail address removed)
Microsoft Windows MVP
(Running Windows Live Mail beta in Vista Ultimate x64)