How to resize partitions in Windows 11 with Disk Management

Managing hard drive space is not only a necessity when you see the dreaded "low disk space" message, but also a key tool for keeping your computer organized, efficient, and fast. Windows 11, following the tradition of its predecessors, offers several options to modify, extend, reduce or move partitions without having to reinstall the system or lose important data. However, although it may seem like a simple task, it involves risks and requires minimal knowledge of how the system works. storage on your team.

In this article you will find absolutely All the essential and advanced information on how to resize partitions in Windows 11, both using built-in tools like Disk Management and third-party utilities that simplify the process and overcome limitations. We'll tell you when, how, and why to make these adjustments, what precautions to take, and the most popular and safe alternatives currently available.

Why resize partitions in Windows 11?

The need for resize partitions This problem arises in various circumstances common to any PC user. Your hard drive may come from the factory with a single, giant partition, when it's better to have several partitions to separate the operating system, programs, and your data. Or perhaps, with There, C drive is too small and others have plenty of space. Redistributing space allows you to use storage logically and efficiently., making it easier to manage, secure, and organize your files and applications.

In addition, creating new partitions allows you to install other OS, organize data by user (if several access the same computer) or test software without risking the information on the rest of the team.

Disk Management in Windows 11: The Basic Tool

Windows 11 retains the tool Disk management, accessible by right-clicking the Start button and selecting “Disk Management.” This utility allows you to:

• Shrink and extend partitions NTFS.
• Create, delete and forma tear partitions.
• Assign drive letters and create simple partitions in unallocated space.

How to open Disk Management quickly: press Win + R, writes diskmgmt.msc and press Enter. There you'll see all the disks and partitions on your computer.

Shrinking Partitions in Windows 11

Shrink a partition This means trimming its size, freeing up unallocated space that you can use to create new partitions or extend existing ones. It's a safe process, but it has limitations:

1. It only works on NTFS partitions (the most common format on modern systems).
2. It does not allow shrinking beyond the point where there are files that cannot be moved (for example, paging or hibernation files).
3. The freed space will always remain to the right of the shrunken partition, limiting how it can be used to extend other partitions.

Step by step to reduce a partition:

1. Opens Disk management.
2. Right-click on the partition you want to shrink and select “Shrink Volume.”
3. Enter the amount of space you want to free up and confirm the operation.

Warning: It's a good idea to back up your files before resizing a partition, although the operation doesn't usually involve deleting data.

Extend a partition in Windows 11

When you need extend a partitionYou can only do this if there is unallocated space immediately adjacent (to the right) to the partition you want to extend. If there isn't unallocated space immediately adjacent (to the right), the option will be grayed out, and you won't be able to continue unless you make additional changes. This process is useful for increasing the size of your C drive, especially if you're running out of space and other partitions have plenty of room.

Step by step to extend a partition:

1. Opens Disk management.
2. Right-click on the partition you want to extend and select “Extend Volume.”
3. The wizard will ask you to choose the amount of space to add, select the amount and continue until finished.

If the unallocated space isn't right next to it, you'll need to delete the adjacent partition (after backing up its data) to free up that space and extend it. Another option is to use third-party software that can move partitions.

Precautions and recommendations

• You will only be able to manipulate NTFS partitions; FAT32 and other formats are not supported by Disk Management for these functions.
• Reduce the risk of power outages by connecting the equipment to the mains or using a UPS.
• Defragment your disk before proceeding to avoid immobile files that could prevent you from reducing the volume.
• Always back up your important files before touching partitions.
• Avoid interrupting the process once it has started to avoid leaving corrupted partitions.

Other built-in options: Diskpart

In addition to the graphical interface, Diskpart It is a line tool commands Available in Windows, this utility allows you to resize partitions. It's more advanced and straightforward, but also carries a higher risk of errors. With Diskpart, you can:

• List disk volumes
• Select specific volumes
• Extend or shrink partitions by specifying the size in megabytes

Advantage: It is more flexible in expert hands, but does not allow changes to be undone. A mistake can lead to data loss, so only use it if you are proficient with the command line and have a recent backup.

Limitations of Disk Management and Diskpart

Although both tools are useful, they present obstacles:

• You cannot move partitions or unallocated space to make room for the space next to the partition you want to extend.
• They do not allow resizing system reserved, EFI or recovery partitions.
• Partition extension is only possible if the unallocated space is adjacent and immediate to the destination partition.
• Shrinking a partition may be limited by locked or unmovable files.

For these reasons, many users opt directly for third-party programs when basic operations don't meet their needs. In this regard, you can also explore programs to partition a hard drive that offer advanced functionalities.

Third-party utilities to resize partitions in Windows 11

The built-in tools in Windows 11 can fall short in scenarios where you need to move partitions, merge two disk spaces, or work with different file systems. This is where programs like EaseUS Partition Master, AOMEI Partition Assistant o NIUBI Partition Editor They make a difference.

These programs offer:

• Resize, extend, merge and move partitions of any type (NTFS, FAT32, exFAT, etc.).
• Simple and intuitive interface that reduces the risk of errors in the process.
• Ability to undo or go back steps if you change your mind before applying changes.
• Additional tools for cloning disks, converting between MBR and GPT, migrate the operating system to another disk, manage hidden partitions, and more.

EASEUS Partition Master

This partition manager is one of the most widely used due to its ease of use and ability to operate without risk of data loss. It allows you to resize or move partitions, merge several into one, copy entire partitions, or recover accidentally deleted partitions. In cases where necessary, convert GPT to MBR For compatibility, these tools make the process easier.

NIUBI Partition Editor

Another powerful and free alternative in its basic version. It includes one-second rollback technology and virtual mode (operations aren't applied until you confirm them), so you can simulate changes and make sure you don't make mistakes. It's especially agile when moving files and resizing partitions thanks to its optimized algorithm.

AOMEI Partition Assistant

This tool supports all types of file systems (NTFS, FAT32, exFAT, Ext2/3/4) and allows you to move partitions to place unallocated space exactly where you need it. This way, you can expand any volume even if the space is at the other end of the disk. It also offers a safe mode for delicate operations and the option to migrate the entire operating system to another disk or SSD.

Step-by-step guide to resizing partitions in Windows 11 with third-party programs

The general process with any specialized program follows these steps:

1. Install and open the chosen partition software.
2. Select the partition you want to modify and choose “Resize/Move Partition”.
3. Adjust the size by dragging the markers or manually entering the desired size.
4. Confirm the changes and review the preview. If everything is correct, apply the operations.

Key benefits: You can move partitions to join adjacent unallocated space, merge volumes, and usually revert if something doesn't suit you before making permanent changes.

Tip: Again, it's essential to back up your most important data before touching partitions, and make sure your laptop or PC is connected to power at all times.

Related article:

Complete guide to resizing partitions in Windows 11 without losing data

Isaac

Passionate writer about the world of bytes and technology in general. I love sharing my knowledge through writing, and that's what I'll do on this blog, show you all the most interesting things about gadgets, software, hardware, tech trends, and more. My goal is to help you navigate the digital world in a simple and entertaining way.