increasing partition size

I have a windows 7 disk that is partitioned into two partitions. One of the partitions 42 GB is full with resultant performance problems. The other, C, has plenty of room. I want to increase the size of the full partition if possible. Will the other shrink automatically. How can I solve this problem. The full partition is an image backup or contains the backup. I don't want to lose anything on either partition. Total room on the disk is about 300GB.

 

jpillsb ...

Both options at the site to which Evan provided the link require you to delete the partition you wish to resize, using the Windows Disk Management tool.

If you're willing to invest $25, you can buy Acronis Disk Director 11 Home, which will give you a lot more flexibility in handling your partitions. Using Disk Director, you simply downsize the larger partition, which gives you the unallocated space you then use to increase the size of your smaller partition. It's actually easier to do than it is to describe. I've used the program for years, and it's always worked flawlessly.

To be on the safe side, always back up your data first, preferably to an external hard drive. Although there are free programs available, I recommend using Acronis True Image Home 2013.

Note: I'm a home user, and have no affiliation with Acronis.

 

Hi Jim

There seems to be some debate as to whether it is possible to change partition sizes under W7 without losing data. A normally reliable source - my son, the family geek, says you can't; http://www.ehow.com/how_8064718_transfer-space-one-drive-another.html seems to indicate you can; you suggest Disk Director will do the job; freebie programs proliferate!

What is the truth?

 

Hi Rick,

No disrespect to the family geek, but I have to disagree with him. I've used Acronis Disk Director for years, have resized numerous partitions on several computers with it, and haven't lost a single bit/byte of data. It's important to always back up the partitions you intend to resize before doing so, though, just in case.

I've never used any of the free programs but, if I were to try one, my first choice would be would be Paragon's Partition Partition Manager 2013 Free. I've used Paragon software in the past, but prefer the ones from Acronis.

FWIW, the webpage at the link you provided doesn't seem to have anything to do with resizing partitions on the same drive. Instead, it deals with transferring free space from one drive to another.

 

No disrespect, but the way I read that webpage it just says decrease this partition then increase the other(s) by the same amount. I just don't know how you would be able to decrease/increase the size of an individual hard drive.

 

There's another free partition utility by EaseUS...

http://www.partition-tool.com/personal.htm

I used it to partition a 500gb drive into three partitions (Windows 7).

 

Hi again, Rick,

OK, my bad. I didn't read the whole thing, and took the title to refer to transferring free (unallocated) space from one physical hard drive to another, rather than from one partition to another on the same hard drive. The title of the article might better have read How to Transfer Free Disk Space From One Partition to Another On the Same Hard Drive.

As long as the partitions are adjacent to each other, it's a simple process. First, you decrease the size of the partition with the most free space, creating unallocated space. Then, you use that unallocated space to increase the size of the other partition.

It's more complicated if the partitions you wish to resize are separated by another partition. Let's say that you have four partitions, C, D, E, and F, and you want to decrease the size of D and increase the size of F.

In order to do so you have to decrease the size of D, creating unallocated space between D and E. Then you increase the size of E by including the unallocated space.

After that you decrease the size of E, creating unallocated space between E and F. Finally, you increase the size of F by including the unallocated space. Whew!

Does that make sense?

 

This post is almost 6 weeks old and the OP never has returned or if they have, they haven't said anything. Makes me wonder why some post what they do and never return.

 

I never even realized it until your post. Do six week old threads show up under recent posts?

 

Yeah. Well, I reopened it instead of creating a new one.
Sorry. Mea Culpa!

 

There's no such limitation with Acronis Disk Director. F could easily be extended to include the unallocated space between it and C.