Member Avatar for MoniqueT

I have 55.55 Gb of unallocated space that I want to 'give' to my C:/ drive which currently only has 13.97 Gb of space and which I am constantly running out of space on. How do I add the 55.55 Gb of space to my C:/ drive? It looks like 'Disk Management' only allows me to create a new drive but I do NOT want to do that.

Please help!

Thanks...

Signed...'Going nuts',

Monique

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— the 55.55 GB of unallocated space can usually be merged into C: but only if certain conditions are met. Windows' Disk Management will only offer to expand a volume when the unallocated region is usable for that specific volume: it must be contiguous (immediately to the right of C: in the graphical layout), the C: volume must use a compatible file system, and the disk/partition type must allow the operation. Small recovery or OEM partitions placed between C: and the unallocated space will block a simple extend.

Quick checklist before changing anything

  • Make a full image backup of the disk (not just copies of files).
  • Run Disk Management (diskmgmt.msc) and inspect the graphical layout: is the unallocated block immediately next to C:?
  • Note the file system of C: (NTFS is required for Windows built-in extend actions).
  • Check whether there are hidden/recovery partitions between C: and the free space and whether the disk is MBR vs GPT or has partition-count limits.

Safe approaches and low-risk alternatives

  • If the layout and FS allow it, a proper extend will work; if not, moving partitions to make the free space adjacent is possible but riskier. Any resize/move step must start from a verified image backup and a reliable power source.
  • A lower-risk, quick workaround is to move large folders (photos, videos, downloads) off C: onto another volume and re-link them into their original C: locations. On modern Windows that can be done with a directory junction, for example:
mklink /J "C:\Users\YourName\Pictures" "D:\Pictures"

(Make sure you have admin rights; mklink is built into Vista and later—older Windows use other tools.)

Final cautions
Operations that change partition starts/ends can render the system unbootable if interrupted. Both the partition-change route and the “move large folders and link” route were mentioned by and in different ways; each has tradeoffs. Backup first, verify the disk layout, and proceed only after confirming the method fits your OS and partition map.

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Member Avatar for bobbyraw

you will have to use a 3rd party software like partition magic or acronis.

Member Avatar for MoniqueT

Thanks! I had a feeling I was going to have to do that but wasn't sure. I really appreciate you responding.

Take care,

Monique

Member Avatar for bobbyraw

the only other way around is a clean install then you would deleted all partition and create one new partition.

Member Avatar for hughv

It does no harm to create a new drive (Probably D: )
It would be considerably easier to just move some files to the other partition.
My Docs, for example, can be moved with Tweakui, and a disk cleanup would help.
Install new programs on D.

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