[Software] How to increase the partition of a hard disk in Windows

[itan.mx]

Enlarging, shrinking or reconfiguring partitions in Windows is very easy for any user to do through a simple application built into the operating system.

Hard disk capacity has grown exponentially in recent years, and the price of new drives is relatively low, but even in this context from time to time you may face a situation where you need to reconfigure the partitions.

This is usually true for the partition dedicated to the operating system, as the available space decreases significantly when you install many games and applications. However, this situation also occurs with other partitions that you simply want to modify in order to better organize your holiday photos and movies, for example.

For all these small problems there is a simple solution, as the Windows operating system includes, in its latest versions, an integrated application that deals with all these aspects.

Reconfigure Windows partitions with Disk Management

how to access Disk Management

The integrated partition reconfiguration application is called Disk Management and is available in the Control Panel in Windows 7 and Windows 8. You can find it in the Control Panel - Computer Management - Disk Partition, but the easiest way to start it is to search for the keyword “Partition” in Control Panel and click on the result “Create and Format Hard Disk Partitions”, which results in opening Disk Management application.

 

 

 

 

how to change the size of a partition in Windows
To enlarge a partition, there must be unallocated hard disk space. If it does not exist, you will first need to shrink one of the existing partitions and then allocate the remaining unallocated space to the partition you want to enlarge. To shrink a partition, right-click on that partition and select "Shrink Volume", and in the next menu you are informed how much space I can free. The amount of space you can remove from this partition depends on the amount of data that exists on that partition. After selecting Shrink, that partition will be shrunk, and you can add unallocated space to another partition by right-clicking on that partition and selecting the Extend Volume option.

 

 

 

 

 

 

how to create a new partition in Windows
Alternatively, you can create a new partition with the space left unallocated, and this is done very easily by right-clicking on the unallocated space and selecting the “New Volume” option, which opens an easy and intuitive partitioning wizard. If you want to delete a partition, all you have to do is right-click on that partition and select the "Delete Volume" option.

 

 

 

 

Alternative applications

The Disk Management utility offers only a few basic functions for reconfiguring partitions and is only available in Windows 7 and Windows 8. If you are a Windows XP user or want more features, you can use a dedicated application. The best are:

EaseUS Partition Master Home Edition - especially for novice users, as it has a very simple to use interface.
Minitool Partition Wizard Home Edition - borrows much of the design of the Disk Management application, but benefits from a number of additional features that are not available in the Windows utility.