Resolved Need help resizing HDD partitions

The partitions on my HDD need to be adjusted, as I keep getting warnings when the free space on my C drive shrinks. I am using Win 8.1. I have a Samsung 750GB HDD. Here are my present partitions:

C (OS and programs that won't install elsewhere) 5.9GB free of 55GB
G (programs and documents) 31GB free of 72.9GB
I (movies, backups and large ISO files) 271GB free of 570GB

I'd like to move 20GB of free space from I to C. Let me know if you recommend I move more, as I plan to eventually upgrade to Win 10. I'm familiar with resizing when free space is available next to the partition, but this isn't next to the partition, and I don't want to mess up any of the data already stored on these 3 partitions. I guess I could move 20GB from I to G and then 20GB from G to C. I also don't need G and I to be separate partitions but would like to keep my OS on a separate partition. What do you recommend?

 

Tony, that was what I was suggesting when I said "I guess I could move 20GB from I to G and then 20GB from G to C." Maybe I should just merge I with G and then add 20GB from that partition to C. What are your thoughts? Should I use Disc Mgmt, or should I use Easeus?

 

I do have a second drive (160GB), and the computer is dual booted. I used to have lots of partitions, but I'm getting fewer and fewer as time goes on. I'm wondering if I may be better off by buying a SSD for the OS, dual booted with the 750GB HDD and then use the 160GB HDD just for backups. Can you recommend a good one that won't cost much more than $100 that can be dual booted? Maybe after doing that I may consider upgrading to Win 10 (if the bugs are out of it already). It would be nice to just put Win 10 on a SSD, but I guess I have to upgrade from 8 to get it for free. For now, I guess I'll uninstall the programs on G and then copy and paste everything else onto I. After I do that, I'll delete G and expand C into what was G. After that, I'll reinstall the programs I had on G on the I partition. Thanks for talking me through this.

 

Where are D, E, F, and H partitions. Do you really need 7 (assuming H is the last) partitions? I have found over the years that too many partitions actually creates more confusion (and certainly less "available" disk space). It might be easier, or at least more efficient to delete some partitions and merge that space into C.

That's what I use and recommend.

 

D & H are the partitions for my secondary HDD. F doesn't exist (other than when I put something into a USB port), and E is a 3.3MB partition (preceding my C partition) I've never been able to eliminate and absorb into other partitions. Since E is so small, I've just ignored it.

My goal in posting here has always been to get feedback on deleting and merging space into C, as I also see it as easier and more efficient. My reasons for more than 2 partitions per HDD no longer exist.

 

Then I agree with Tony and you should backup your data and then use a program like EASEUS Partition Master Home Edition (which is free for home, non-commercial use ), to just merge your partitions into one. I have never had Partition Master lose or corrupt any data, but whenever you mess with partitions and/or move files around, there is always a risk something might happen. Even a badly timed unexpected power outage (is there a good time?) can mean disaster.

The problem with your "programs" that have been installed on these other partitions is they will still be registered in the Windows Registry as being installed on the other drives (this will only affect those not on C). But often, you can just run the install program again and these settings will be "corrected" in the Registry rather than a total new install. I have done this several times with Microsoft Office and upon the reinstallation, the install program found the old installation and prompted to "repair" the install. This was great because for one, it was quick, but also, all my custom settings in Word, Outlook, etc. remained in tact.

Not all programs are that smart, however. So some things will need to be totally reinstalled. But that gives you an opportunity to set up your folders the way you really want them.

 

Thanks for the info. Any thoughts on a SSD to dual boot to this computer?

 

It has been many years since I had a dual boot setup. As for SSDs, all I can say there is I don't use hard drives any more! All my builds use SSDs only. And I like Samsung SSDs. Their new 850 Pro line is great, but nothing wrong with the less expensive 850 EVO line.

Understand even the slowest SSD will run circles around the fastest hard drives.

 

I like dual boot capability in case one drive crashes, but I've read that some SSDs won't allow dual booting. Which good ones do allow dual booting?

 

I have never heard of that. Got a link?

 

I can't seem to find that anymore. Are you saying there would be no problem dual booting between a SSD and a HDD (using 8.1 or 10)? If not, I'll get the 250GB 850 EVO.

 

I am saying I can find nothing that says it cannot be done. And I am saying a quick search with Google shows people are doing it.

There may a problem if you have a UEFI motherboard but there are ways around that too.

 

My mobo is a Gigabyte GA-790XTA-UD4 with Legacy BIOS, so that shouldn't be an issue.

 

I've always found that the letters change when I open a different HDD, so they aren't fixed. If I change letters, will that mess up shortcuts or programs linked from different partitions?

Here is what my disc management looks like:
https://www.dropbox.com/s/e2mfpk3nzfrq07g/Disc%20Mgmt.jpg?dl=0

 

Tony, the bootable thumb drive makes sense. Care to walk me through the process of making one? What OS do you recommend for it? With a bootable thumb drive, I could just install 8.1 on a new SSD and then upgrade it to 10, while using my other 2 HDDs just for storage.