Thread: Changing partition sizes

NTFS-formatted partitions can be made larger or smaller by right-clicking them and choosing Extend or Shrink. When a partition is shnmk or extended, its contents remain intact. It's even possible to shrink the active system partition from which Windows is currently running (see the step-by-step guide be"low). When a partition is shrunk, it leaves unallocated space on its right, which can be tumed into a new partition. When a partition is extended, it moves into adjacent un allocated space on its right.



It's a little more complicated than this because the previous statements are only true for basic disks, which Vista uses by default. There are also dynamic disk that can span multiple partitions (and multiple disks) while appearing to the user as a single drive. There are severe drawbacks to dynamic disks and Microsoft advises against their use unless particular circumstances require them. You'll run up against them if you try to expand a partition into non-adjacent unallocated space. Vista warns that this will create a dynamic disk and gives you a chance to back out. You'd be wise to do so. Dynamic disks cannot be created on laptops, removable devices or USB hard disks.

If you are unable to extend a basic disk because there is no unallocated space immediately to its right, one solution is to back up the partition that's getting in the way, then delete it. It will then be possible to extend into the vacated space where the partition used to be, after which the deleted partition can be recreated and its contents restored from the backup. Although time-consuming, this is a safe procedure that results in stable basic disks.