To resolve the issue, try the following steps: 1) Check if the unallocated space is adjacent to the C drive. If not, you'll need to merge the unallocated space with the C drive first. 2) Ensure there are no errors on the disk. You can do this by checking the disk for errors in Disk Management. 3) If the disk is a dynamic disk, you won't be able to extend it.
If your disk doesn't meet all three requirements, the "Extend Volume" option is grayed out. Some users try to shrink the D: drive to free up space, but the unallocated space is created next to the D: drive, not the C: drive. This means that if there's no unallocated space before the C drive, you can't get any available space unless you delete the next partition, which would result in losing data on the D: drive.
Deleting a partition can be a difficult decision for many people, but if you don't want to delete it, alternative software like Qiling Disk Master Standard can be a great choice. This software is designed for Windows users, including Windows 7, 8, 10, and 11, and can help you extend your partition effortlessly, overcoming the limitations of the Disk Management feature.
r
If you choose to delete the D: drive, you will lose all the data stored on it.
Step 1. Download and install Qiling Disk Master.
Step 2. In the main interface, right-click the target partition, select "Move/resize Partitions".
Step 3. Drag left or right of partition to the unallocated space or an existing partition with free space.
Step 4. Preview the result and click "Proceed" to accomplish the upcoming operation.
The inability to extend the C drive in Windows 7/8/10/11 due to disabled Extend Volume feature can be frustrating. In Disk Management, extending a partition with FAT32, FAT16, or other file systems is not possible, and you also need adjacent unallocated space to extend a partition. However, using a free partition manager like Qiling Disk Master Standard can bypass these limitations, providing options such as Move Partition, Resize Partition, Merge Partition, and more.