How to Extend Boot Partition in Windows 2008 Server without Deleting Partition?

It is true that so many people need to extend boot partition to speed up computer or optimize the usage of storage in a safe and efficient way. In the past, on Windows Server 2008, people could only expand boot partition in Disk Management under some conditions or using diskpart command. As we know DOS command always a big headache to most people, what's worse, diskpart extend boot partition only work when there is contiguous unallocated space behind boot partition.

Extend boot partition under Windows Server 2008

Compare with Windows Server 2003, Windows Server 2008 has a little improvement, Microsoft make the DOS command become graphical interfaces, through this, extending partition becomes much easier. With the help of Disk Management in Windows 2008, people could extend boot partition by clicking a few buttons.

Right-click "computer" select "Manage"=>"Storage"=>"Disk Management", then right-click the boot partition select "Extend Volume" follow the wizard to finish operation.

Note: Although the operation changed from DOS command to graphical interfaces, the rules of extending volume is as same as Windows 2003. Only contiguous unallocated space behind the boot partition, "Extend Volume" is activated, otherwise it will be greyed out. For example:

As you see, the unallocated space is behind D partition but not the boot partition, therefore, the "Extend Volume" is greyed out. In this situation, we could only delete partition D to make it become unallocated space. In order to overcome the limitation, we have to backup data and then delete partition. What a time-waster. Is there any way we could extend boot partition without deleting partition on Windows Server 2008? The answer is "YES". Use other third-party Partition Magic Server Software, such as Partition Assistant Server Edition.

Extend boot partition in Windows 2008 with Partition Magic Server Software

Here is a step by step instruction on how to extend boot partition in Server 2008 without deleting partition:

Note: In this example we have two partitions, a boot partition(C:), and a data partition(D:). The unallocated space is behind the data partition but not the boot partition. Our aim is to make unallocated space be behind the boot partition, then extend it. If there's no unallocated space, you could shrink partition to generate in advance.

Step1. Launch Partition Assistant Server, right-click data partition (D:) and select "Move".

Step2: In the pop-up window, position the mouse on the partition, when it becomes "cross", drag it to the right. Then click "OK"

Step3: Select boot partition (C drive) on the interface, drag the right slider rightwards to extend.

Step4. Click "Apply" on the tool bar, in the pop-up window click "Proceed".

Note: If there's a step that needs to reboot system and you don't want to reboot, please check and close all live application in the partition. Undo this step, and do it again. You could read more details about "how to extend system partition without rebooting"

With the help of Partition Assistant Server Edition, only 4 steps you could extend boot partition under Windows Server 2008 easily without deleting partition. Now you could free download it and make it work for you.

Tips: For Enterprise users, Unlimited Edition provides unlimited usage within one company to save money, namely, you can install it on multiple machines in your company to maximize business productivity whilst minimizing the total cost of management.

Related Articles:

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2. Can I Extend System Partition on Server 2008 by using Disk Management?
3. How to Use Windows 2008 Disk Management to Extend Volume?
4. Could I Extend C Drive with Built-in Disk Management for Windows 2008?
5. Two Methods to Increase Partition Size in Windows Server 2008 Easily and Safely