Diskpart: Resize NTFS/FAT Boot Partition in Windows 7,8,10
Why resize partition using Diskpart?
A partition on a hard drive is like a separate area for system, programs, and personal files, similar to a clapboard in a system. If the hard drive has only one partition, usually labeled C:, the system and software will run smoothly. However, a well-partitioned hard drive is more beneficial for data management, and it's common to find PCs partitioned into three volumes: C, D, and E. As the system drive C often becomes insufficient to hold all user data and programs, resizing the partition using Diskpart becomes necessary.
Resizing a partition involves both shrinking and extending its size. If a partition is too large, you can use Diskpart to shrink it, making space for another partition, such as creating a new one on a Windows system. This resizing can also apply to partitions on USB flash drives. The process can be used for various reasons, including making full use of a hard drive partition. To resize a partition, you can follow the methods outlined in this article.
Resize NTFS partition via Diskpart in Windows 7, 8,10
Diskpart is one of the built-To extend a NTFS partition using partition tools in Windows, which can be accessed through the Command Prompt, you need to have one adjacent unallocated space on its right side. To start, press the Windows key + R key at the same time to open the Run box.
Type cmd and press Enter key to start Command Prompt.
▶Input Diskpart.exe and press Enter.
▶Input list volume and press Enter.
▶Select volume x (x is the volume number you want to extend) and press Enter.
▶1. Open the Disk Management console.
▶Input exit and press Enter.
When using Diskpart to extend a volume, it may succeed in most cases, but can encounter errors like "extend volume may not be extended" if there are unmovable files in the volume. Additionally, Diskpart cannot resize system partitions or FAT-based volumes, making it unsuitable for extending partitions in Windows XP or resizing system volumes. In such cases, a more powerful third-party partitioning software like Qiling Disk Master Professional is recommended.
Use Diskpart alternative to resize partition in Windows 7
Qiling Disk Master Professional provides a utility called partassist.exe that allows users to partition hard drives from the Command Prompt, offering advanced features beyond what Dikspart can do. It supports Windows 11/10/8.1/8/7/XP and Windows Vista, and enables resizing of system partitions and FAT/FAT32/FAT16/NTFS-based volumes, even relocating unmovable files without damaging them. This tool can be downloaded for free to try out its capabilities.
Download and install Qiling Disk Master, then follow the same steps to start Command Prompt.
▶To start partassist.exe, navigate to the installation directory of Qiling Disk Master, for example, C:\Program Files (x86)\Qiling Disk Master Pro Edition 6.0, and type "cd" followed by the full path, then press Enter.
▶To list all volumes, open Command Prompt as Administrator, type `partassist.exe /list` and press Enter. This will display a list of all volumes on your system, including their drive letters, which is crucial to know before extending or shrinking a volume.
▶To automatically extend the volume F using the unallocated space on its right side, you can use the command `partassist.exe /resize:F /extend:right` and press Enter.
▶To use partassist.exe, input partassist.exe /resize:F /reduce-right:10GB to shrink F to generate 10GB unallocated space on its right side and press Enter, then input exit and press Enter.
- ★Tips:
- The command "/resize" followed by partition number or drive letter is used to resize a partition. The partition number starts with 0, and if a drive letter is specified, the disk number can be ignored.
- The value of "/extend" can be left, right, auto or a specified size.
- If you input partassist.exe /list /usb, you can perform all operations on a USB drive, including listing, writing, and erasing.
- For more command line use of partassist.exe, please refer to how to use Qiling Disk Master command lines.
Partassist in Qiling Disk Master provides advanced functions for resizing partitions in Windows 7/10/XP, offering a user-friendly graphical interface that is an alternative to the command prompt-based Diskpart. This makes it easier for users who are not familiar with command prompt operations to resize partitions without experiencing the associated troubles.
Extend OS partition with the graphical interface of Qiling Disk Master
Qiling Disk Master Professional can merge a partition with unallocated space, regardless of whether they are adjacent, using the "Merge Partitions" feature.
Step 1. Perform the software. Right-click the partition and choose the "Move/Resize Partitions" in turn.
Step 2. Check the unallocated space you want to add into the C drive.
Step 3. Preview the virtual result and click"Proceed".
Tip: It will complete the task after reboot.
Summary
While there are various methods to achieve a goal, choosing the most convenient one is key. Diskpart does offer partition resizing capabilities, but for more advanced features, Qiling Disk Master is the preferred choice. This software can perform a range of operations, as seen in the provided screenshots, including realizing Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) by installing Windows 10 on an external hard drive, and creating a bootable media for added security.
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