“Not Enough Disk Space to Complete This Operation” in Disk Management — How to Fix It

When working with disk partitions in Windows, you may encounter the error message, “Not enough disk space to complete this operation.” This issue can prevent you from resizing, creating, or deleting partitions. Here, we’ll explore possible causes and solutions for this error.

Causes of the Error

This error may arise due to various reasons, including:

• Insufficient free space on the disk you’re trying to modify.
• Disk fragmentation or unallocated space that the system cannot use effectively.
• Limitations of Windows Disk Management tools.
• Improper partition sizing within Disk Management.

Ways to Fix the Error

1. Ensure Enough Free Space is Available

First, verify that there’s adequate free space on the disk. Open “This PC” and check the available space on the partition you’re working with. Keep in mind that certain operations may require not only free space but also unallocated space.

2. Use Third-Party Partition Management Tools

Windows Disk Management isn’t always effective for complex partition operations. Try using third-party programs like MiniTool Partition Wizard, EaseUS Partition Master, or AOMEI Partition Assistant. These tools offer more robust and flexible options that can bypass Windows limitations.

3. Defragment the Disk

Severe disk fragmentation can cause issues when resizing partitions. Run disk defragmentation using Windows’ built-in utility or third-party software. This process may free up space needed for partition operations.

4. Check the Disk for Errors

Disk errors can interfere with partition resizing. To check for and fix errors, open Command Prompt as an administrator and run:

chkdsk /f /r C:

where C: is the drive letter of the disk you want to check. After the check is complete, restart your computer and try the operation again.

5. Free Up Disk Space by Removing Temporary Files

The issue might be related to a lack of free space. Use “Disk Cleanup” or tools like CCleaner to delete temporary and unnecessary files, freeing up additional space.

6. Use the DISKPART Command

If the error persists, try using the DISKPART command for partition management. Open Command Prompt as an administrator and enter the following commands:

diskpart
list disk
select disk X  (where X is the disk number)
list partition
select partition Y  (where Y is the partition number)
extend

These commands will help you extend a partition if there’s unallocated space on the disk.