How to Resize Encrypted Partition Windows 10 [2023 Updated]
What is encrypted partition?
In today's increasingly complex work environment, many people are taking steps to safeguard their data. Fortunately, since Windows Vista, Windows has offered a useful feature called BitLocker, which utilizes the Trusted Platform Module (TPM) to secure data by encrypting the entire partition.
The encrypted partition is a secure partition that prevents unauthorized access to confidential files and documents. Once Bitlocker encryption is enabled on a drive, it cannot be modified using Windows 10 Disk Management as it is in an encrypted state.
Can I resize an encrypted partition Windows?
Many users need to resize their BitLocker encrypted partition on Windows 10 due to insufficient free space or wasted unused space. Fortunately, it is possible to resize a BitLocker partition, although it cannot be done directly through Disk Management without decryption. A safe and easy solution is available, allowing users to resize their encrypted partition despite the initial limitations.
The easiest way to resize encrypted partition - Qiling Disk Master
To resize or enlarge an encrypted partition without decrypting it first, you can use a powerful partition manager like Qiling Disk Master Standard. This free Windows software is suitable for Windows 11/10/8/8.1/7/XP computers and can help you resize system encrypted drives or data BitLocker partitions effortlessly.
If you experience any accidents during the resizing process, it's recommended to clone the encrypted partition in advance to back up your important data. To resize an encrypted partition on Windows 11/10/8/7, follow the step-by-step guide provided by Qiling Disk Master, which includes the necessary instructions to complete the task safely.
Step 1. To resize or move a BitLocker encrypted partition, right-click on it and select "Resize/Move Partition". You will then be prompted to enter your password to unlock BitLocker.
Step 2. When the drive is unlocked, you will be led to the "Move and Resize Partition" window, where you can drag the bar to resize the partition.
☊ Shrink the encrypted partition: Drag the mouse to the left. After shrinking the Bitlocker partition, you'll have unallocated space on the right that you can use to enlarge other partitions or create a new one.
☊ Extend the encrypted partition: Drag the mouse to the right. This function only works when there is unallocated space adjacent to the right of the encrypted partition, making it ineffective in other scenarios. To resize encrypted partitions, it's recommended to decrypt them first, then utilize features like Merge Partitions or Allocate Free Space.
Step 3. Click "Proceed" to confirm the operation.
How do I resize an encrypted drive within Windows?
If you don't want to download a third-party disk manager, you can decrypt the Bitlocker drive and then use Disk Management to resize it. To do this, first, go to the Bitlocker settings and enter the recovery key, then click on "Turn off Bitlocker" to decrypt the drive. Once decrypted, you can open Disk Management, select the drive you want to resize, and use the built-in resize tools to adjust its size.
▶ Section 1. Unlock encrypted partition
Step 1. Press "Windows + I" to open Windows Settings, type "encryption" and click "Manage BitLocker" to enter the management interface.
Step 2. In the "BitLocker Drive Encryption" window, select the hard drive you want to decrypt and click "Turn off BitLocker".
Step 3. Then you will be noted that this operation might take a long time, click it to start unlocking.
▶ Section 2. Resize encrypted partition
After unlocking the encrypted drive, you can access it normally. To resize the encrypted partition in Windows 10, right-click the window icon, select Disk Management, and then open it to start the resizing process.
Part one. Shrink Partition
Step 1. Right-click the encrypted partition, and select "Shrink Volume" in the extended menu.
Step 2. Follow the prompts to finish the size reduction of the partition.
Part two. Extend Partition
Step 1. Right-click the encrypted partition, and select "Extend Volume" in the extended menu.
Step 2. Follow the prompts to finish the size increase of the partition.
- ★Notes:
- To extend a partition in Windows, you need to ensure there is unallocated space right behind the target partition. If there is no unallocated space, the "Extend Volume" option will be greyed out.
- After resizing an encrypted partition, remember to re-encrypt it to protect your data, as the process has temporarily unlocked it.
Summary
You can resize an encrypted partition in Windows, yes! With the help of Qiling Disk Master Standard, it's easy to resize encrypted partitions. If you upgrade to the Professional edition, you'll enjoy a complete range of partitioning features that can help optimize your hard drive for better performance, such as cloning a disk to another, migrating OS to SSD without reinstalling, moving apps/files from C drive to D drive, and more.
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