Computer Question - Disk partitioning

[Bushwack44]

How do I expand the C Drive partition (boot 'disk') from its current 50GB to 150GB (using Disk Management isn't working).

Background: I installed a new 2 TB internal drive and partitioned it (C Drive w/ Window 10 at 50GB and D drive has the balance for storage....as seen below). When I installed Windows 10, it only took up about 22GB of the 48GB available on the C Drive. Now, w/ various other programs installed, I have only 3GB remaining on the C Drive (I have nothing stored on the C Drive other than various program installation files/folders).

Of the tutorials I've read/seen via Google & YouTube, it seems the reason why I can't expand the C Drive partition (to 150GB) is the way it is laid out (in the picture below). If the C drive came before the D Drive, I don't think I would have a problem (based on various YouTube tutorials). I haven't found a way for these two to 'switch' positions (if they can be switched).

Any suggestions on how to expand the C Drive? FWIW, this video is an example of most I've found on expanding a partition - https://youtu.be/tJiakVgAtn4

Thanks.
.

[SkyHawk]

There is no free space on the disk, where exactly do you think you are going to expand into? In order to expand the C partition, you need contiguous free space after it - and you don't have any.

You need more help than any free tool can offer. You may even need to clone the disk onto a new one, resizing the partitions during the clone.

[Bushwack44]

There is no free space on the disk, where exactly do you think you are going to expand into?

The C & D drives are on one hard disk. I have plenty of room available on the D drive.

[SkyHawk]

The C & D drives are on one hard disk. I have plenty of room available on the D drive.

That don't work. You need free space after the C partition. Even if you shrunk the D drive partition, that is not going to put the space where you need it.

And yes, that is a janky layout you're working with there.

You might think about shrinking the D partition, creating a new partition, cloning the C partition to it and then nuking the old C partition. But the way it is laid out now precludes any easy option.

This is why you don't partition physical drives without a very compelling reason - not since the 1980s man.

[SkyHawk]

It looks like you have a duplicate drive (1) with volume Z. If you can evacuate that, you could clone drive 0 onto drive 1 while adjusting the partition sizes on the fly, using something like Acronis True Image. Then swap the disks around.

https://www.acronis.com/en-us/personal/computer-backup/

https://kb.acronis.com/content/56634

I would clone from bootable media using their PXE tools and select the manual clone mode to adjust the partition sizes on the target during cloning.

[Bushwack44]

That don't work. You need free space after the C partition. Even if you shrunk the D drive partition, that is not going to put the space where you need it.

And yes, that is a janky layout you're working with there.

You might think about shrinking the D partition, creating a new partition, cloning the C partition to it and then nuking the old C partition. But the way it is laid out now precludes any easy option.

This is why you don't partition physical drives without a very compelling reason - not since the 1980s man.

If I clone the C Drive (in a new partition), that's basically NOT having to reload Win 10 and other programs, correct? (possibly a foolish question but doesn't hurt for clarity).

And....how do I clone a drive?

It looks like you have a duplicate drive (1) with volume Z. If you can evacuate that, you could clone drive 0 onto drive 1 while adjusting the partition sizes on the fly, using something like Acronis True Image. Then swap the disks around.

https://www.acronis.com/en-us/personal/computer-backup/

Z volume is a separate disk; which is currently empty. Being used as a scratch disk for Photoshop and will eventually be used as a fourth option to back-up files (its showing signs of failing but still has some life left).

[SkyHawk]

If Z is an emtpy disk of the same performance, I would seriously consider using Acronis True Image to clone to it while adjusting the target partition sizes see the links above and this

https://youtube.com/watch?v=3oZwa6RDABk

Then after it is cloned, remove disk 0. Move disk 1 to the disk 0 position on the bus or in the chassis if it is a laptop. Comfirm everything is working. Then put the old disk in as drive 1 and delete all partitions from it. Create a new Z drive onto it and you are right back where you are now, except with partition sizes you want on drive 0.

[UEDan]

I believe Acronis will let you do it.
But if you want free Gparted should work, comes packaged with SystemRescueCD.

No need to clone and restore. I believe Acronis will let you straight up resize.
And are those spinning disks? It's going to take a LONG time to resize. Transfer D: to Z:, wipe main drive and reinstall with properly sized partition. Do it right man.

[Bushwack44]

Out of curiosity, if I was to start from scratch and initial (erase) the drive, how should I install Windows 10? Should I do the install then start partitioning the drive? And if so, what guarantee do I have that I don't run into the same problem I have now (where C should be where D is so I have the option of expanding the C (boot up) drive at a later time?

[SkyHawk]

I would not partition at all if starting from scratch, just go one big partition.

[Deedle]

Use this: https://www.easeus.com/partition-manager/epm-free.html

[Bushwack44]

If Z is an emtpy disk of the same performance, I would seriously consider using Acronis True Image to clone to it while adjusting the target partition sizes see the links above and this

https://youtube.com/watch?v=3oZwa6RDABk

Then after it is cloned, remove disk 0. Move disk 1 to the disk 0 position on the bus or in the chassis if it is a laptop. Comfirm everything is working. Then put the old disk in as drive 1 and delete all partitions from it. Create a new Z drive onto it and you are right back where you are now, except with partition sizes you want on drive 0.

Thanks guys! Acronis was the answer. I basically took (partitioned) 200GB from the D drive (used for storage). Acronis allowed me to merge both this new volume of 200GB and my existing C Drive; expanding my C drive. Re-booted a couple times, open/closed various programs, did some copying between volumes - everything works as it should.

...who would have thought asking advice on computers on a gun forum would amount to anything!

[SkyHawk]

Thanks guys! Acronis was the answer. I basically took (partitioned) 200GB from the D drive (used for storage). Acronis allowed me to merge both this new volume of 200GB and my existing C Drive; expanding my C drive. Re-booted a couple times, open/closed various programs, did some copying between volumes - everything works as it should.

...who would have thought asking advice on computers on a gun forum would amount to anything!

Awesome, glad to hear it! I have never used Acronis like that but I am not surprised it was capable. The main thing is I trust Acronis, that is why I recommend it. I have used it for many migrations to SSD that required partition resizing and it has never let me down. Plus it has other tricks up its sleeve you might find handy for day to day, such as version rollback for your files and of course making image based backups of the whole HD whenever you need that warm & fuzzy feeling.

[Deedle]

Thanks guys! Acronis was the answer. I basically took (partitioned) 200GB from the D drive (used for storage). Acronis allowed me to merge both this new volume of 200GB and my existing C Drive; expanding my C drive. Re-booted a couple times, open/closed various programs, did some copying between volumes - everything works as it should.

...who would have thought asking advice on computers on a gun forum would amount to anything!

PM can actually do it in place but glad you got it handled.

[the86d]

My c: drive is just a 256gb, d: is a 512gb, and mount Dox as D:\<somefolder>.

Install large applications to some other than c: drive if you need to... i keep my data on a seperate drive than c:, and throw large apps >2gb on that drive.