In order to maximize utilization of server storages and optimize server performance, it's a common need for system administrators to resize Windows Server 2008 partition. Although Windows Server 2008's Disk Management snap-in and Diskpart Command Line are available to resize partition, there are some limitations in both utilities.
Two frequently encountered limitations
Limitation 1: I have a Windows Server 2008 R2 SP1 with C and D drives. I free up 30 GB space from the D drive using the "Shrink Volume" option and want to add it to C drive. However, the "Extend Volume" greyed out.
Limitation 2: When trying to extend a partition in Windows 2008 Server with Diskpart, I received an error message: "Diskpart failed to extend the volume. Please make sure the volume is valid for extending"
Three solutions to resize partition in Windows Server 2008
(1) Partition Magic Server Software helps resize partition in Windows Server 2008 without losing data
(2) How to resize Windows 2008 Server partition with Diskpart?
(3) How to resize partition with Windows Server 2008's Disk Management snap-in?
All the above solutions allow you to resize Windows Server 2008 partition. As mentioned earlier, you can only resize partition in Windows Server 2008 with Disk Management snap-in and Diskpart under certain circumstances.
Solution (1): Resize Windows Server 2008 partition with Partition Magic Server Software
There are lots of partition software and which one is available? Some unreliable software might destroy all your important data during the process of resizing partition in Windows Server 2008. Therefore, it is very important to choose a reliable one. According to the feedbacks, Partition Magic Server Software - Partition Assistant Server Edition is highly recommended.
The following is a step by step tutorial on how to resize Windows Server 2008 partition without losing data and rebooting:
Tips: To test out and follow this tutorial, you can free download demo version to have a try before you buy full version!
Step1: Launch Partition Assistant Server. The user-friendly interface makes the task very easy and simple.
Step2: Select D partition. Right click on it and select "Resize Partition" in the menu item.
In the pop-up window, position the mouse pointer on the right handle and drag the slider bar leftwards to shrink Windows Server 2008 partition.
Step3: Click "OK". You will find there is some unallocated space behind D partition. Then, right click on it again and select "Move Partition".
In the pop-up window, position the mouse pointer on D partition and move it rightwards to make the unallocated space locate behind C drive.
Step4: Click "OK" and select C drive. Then, position the mouse pointer on the left handle and drag the slider bar rightwards to extend Windows Server 2008 partition.
Step5: You can preview the extended C drive and reduced D partition. To save the changes, please click "Apply" to perform the "Pending Operations".
When all operations are finished, you will receive a message like the one below. Besides, no reboot is necessary.
Solution (2): Shrink and extend a partition from Diskpart Command Line
In the first place, click "Start" -> "Run" -> type "diskpart" to enter command-line interface.
Shrink Volume:
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Type "list volume" to display the existing volumes on the disks.
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Type "select volume 2". The number is the volume that you want to shrink.
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Type "shrink querymax" to identify the amount by which the volume can be reduced.
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Type "shrink desired 2048". The number is the amount that you want to reduce.
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Type "exit" to finish.
Extend Volume:
Attention Please: Extension merely supports partition which must be NTFS file system and there is some contiguous unallocated space behind the partition you want to extend. Or you will receive the messages: "diskpart failed to extend the volume".
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Type "list volume" to display the existing volumes on the disks.
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Type "select volume 1". The number is the volume that you want to extend.
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Type "extend size=1024".
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Type "exit" to finish.
In a word, it's same as Disk Management. Diskpart only allows you to resize Windows Server 2008 partition under certain conditions (NTFS file system and contiguous unallocated space), otherwise you must backup data and delete partitions.
Solution (3): Using Disk Management to shrink and extend a partition
Important Note: Windows Disk Management won't let you shrink the volume when there are immovable system files at the very end of the volume and only allows you to geneate unallocated space behind the partition that you shrink. Besides, "Extend Volume" is available when there is contiguous unallocated space behind the partition that you want to extend. If not, the option will be greyed out.
To begin with, click "Start" -> "Programs" -> "Administrative Tools" -> "Computer Management" -> "Disk Management".
Shrink Volume: Right click on the volume that needs to be shrunk and select "Shrink Volume".
From the pop-up dialog box, specify the amount by which the volume is to shrink and click on the "Shrink" button to initiate the resize.
Extend Volume: Right click on the volume needs to be extended and select "Extend Volume".
Click "Next" and follow "Extend Volume Wizard". Select disks and define the amount of space to use for the volume extension using the "Select the amount of space in MB" field.
In summary, as with Diskpart, it's inconvenient and unsafe to resize Windows Server 2008 partition with Disk Management snap-in, especially extend system partition Windows Server 2008. If there is no contiguous unallocated space behind the partition you would like to extend, you have to backup, delete partitions and restore data back.
Last but not the least, compare with built-in Disk Management and Diskpart Command line, Partition Assistant Server Edition is much more convenient, easy and safe to resize partition for Windows Server 2008. It enables you to perform basic and advanced features without losing data, deleting partitions and rebooting computer. Free Download and have a test.
Tips: For Enterprise users, Unlimited Edition allows unlimited usage within one company to save time and money, in other words, you can install it on unlimited servers and PCs in your company to maximize business productivity whilst minimizing the total cost of management.
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