How to Resize a Disk Partition in Windows 10 and Windows 11

Sometimes, you may need to resize disk partitions on your computer, for instance, to free up space for the system or rearrange storage for better organization. In Windows 10 and Windows 11, you can adjust partition sizes using the built-in Disk Management tool or third-party programs. In this guide, we’ll walk through the steps to resize a disk partition without losing data.

Resizing a Disk Partition Using "Disk Management"

Windows provides a built-in Disk Management tool that allows for basic partition resizing. However, its functionality can be limited if there is no unallocated space adjacent to the partition. Here’s how to use it:

Step 1: Open "Disk Management"

  1. Press Win + X and select "Disk Management" from the menu.
  2. This will open a window displaying all partitions and connected drives.

Step 2: Shrink a Partition

To free up space for another partition, follow these steps:

  1. Find the partition you want to shrink, right-click on it, and choose "Shrink Volume".
  2. In the pop-up window, enter the amount of space to release, then click "Shrink".
  3. After shrinking, an unallocated space will appear, which can be used to create a new partition or extend an existing one.

Step 3: Extend a Partition

To increase the size of a partition using free space, follow these steps:

  1. Select the partition you want to expand, right-click on it, and choose "Extend Volume".
  2. Follow the Extend Volume Wizard and choose the amount of space to add to the partition.
  3. Click "Finish", and your partition will be extended.

Resizing Partitions with Third-Party Programs

If Windows' built-in tools don’t meet your needs, consider third-party software. Popular options for partition resizing include MiniTool Partition Wizard, AOMEI Partition Assistant, and EaseUS Partition Master. These tools allow for easy resizing, moving, and merging of partitions.

Example: Resizing a Partition with MiniTool Partition Wizard

  1. Download and install MiniTool Partition Wizard from the official website, then launch the program.
  2. Select the partition you want to resize and click "Move/Resize Partition".
  3. Drag the slider or enter a specific size, then click "OK".
  4. Apply the changes by clicking "Apply".

Using third-party software provides more flexibility in managing partitions and can bypass limitations related to unallocated space.

Precautions and Tips

  • It’s recommended to back up important data before resizing partitions.
  • If your disk has BitLocker encryption enabled, temporarily disable it before resizing the partition.
  • Ensure that any software you use is compatible with your version of Windows and has a good reputation.

Following these instructions, you can quickly and safely resize disk partitions in Windows 10 or Windows 11 to suit your storage needs. While built-in tools may be enough for basic tasks, third-party programs offer extended features for more complex partition adjustments.