Extend Volume in Windows Server 2008 with Disk Management and Partition Magic Server

The improvements and shortcomings in Windows 2008 Disk Management

Compare to Windows XP/2000/2003, the Windows 7/Vista/2008 Disk Management snap-in allows users to resize partition with "Extend/Shrink Volume" features. However, you will always find "Extend Volume" greyed out or cannot shrink volume. Why? The following are the limitations:

1. Windows won't let you shrink the volume when there are immovable system files at the very end of the volume.
2. "Shrink Volume" only allows you to generate unallocated space behind the partition you shrink.
3. "Extend Volume" is available when there is some contiguous unallocated space on the right side of the partition you want to extend. If not, the option will be greyed out.

How to extend volume in Windows Server 2008 with Disk Management?

To begin with, right click "Computer" -> "Manage" -> "Storage" -> "Disk Management".

Next, right click on the partition that needs to be extended and select "Extend Volume".

Finally, select disks and define the amount of space to use for the volume extension using the "Select the amount of space in MB" field.

As mentioned above, the option is only available under certain conditions. If there is non-contiguous unallocated space behind the partition, you will find the "Extend Volume" greyed out as shown below:

Disk Management Alternative - Partition Magic Server 2008 Software

There are lots of Windows Server 2008 partition software and which one is available? Some unreliable software might destroy all your important data during the process of extending volume in Windows Server 2008. Therefore, it is very important to choose a reliable one. According to the feedbacks, Partition Assistant Server Edition, which is considered as the latest Partition Magic Server 2008, is highly recommended.

What's better, it is very easy and fast to extend volume with its user-friendly interface. Launch Partition Assistant Server. If there is some contiguous unallocated space behind the partition you want to extend, right click and select "Resize". In the pop-up window, drag the right slider rightwards to extend volume into contiguous unallocated space; If there is no unallocated space or there is non-contiguous unallocated space behind the partition, you can resize/move partition to generate contiguous unallocated space. Learn more detailed steps, please visit: How to Resize/Move Partition without Data Loss?

In summary, compared with Windows 2008 Disk Management, Partition Assistant Server Edition is much more convenient, easy and safe to extend volume for Windows Server 2008. It enables you to perform basic and advanced features without losing data. You can Free Download Demo Version and check how it works magically to partition for Windows Server 2008.

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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3. Could I Extend C Drive with Built-in Disk Management for Windows 2008?
4. Two Methods to Increase Partition Size in Windows Server 2008 Easily and Safely
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