How to merge C and D/E drive in Windows server
All disk partitions are created when building the server. Many people ask if it is possible to merge 2 partitions in Windows server. For example, merge C and D drive, or combine C and nonadjacent E drive. To merge C and D drive in Server 2008/2012/2016/2019/2022, you may try Windows native Disk Management or third party software. But to merge C and nonadjacent partition E, no Windows native can help you. In this article, I’ll introduce how to merge C and D/E drive in Windows server with Disk Management and safe partition software.
Combine C and D drive with Disk Management
In Windows Server 2008/2012/2016/2019/2022, you can combine C and D drive without software, but your partition layout must meet the requirement below:
- Both C and D are on the same disk.
- D drive is adjacent and on the right of C drive.
- You must delete D to get contiguous Unallocated space next to C drive.
- There are no programs running from D drive, so you can delete it.
- There’s a third partition to save all files in D drive.
- D drive must be Primary. (Because C: drive is Primary.)
If your partition layout meet all requirements above and you can delete D drive, follow the steps below. Otherwise, jump to the next section.
How to merge C and D drive in Windows Server with Disk Management:
(Valid for Windows Server 2008, 2012, 2016, 2019 and 2022)
- Move all files in D: drive to other partition.
- Press Windows + R to open Run, input “diskmgmt.msc” and press Enter to open Disk Management console.
- Right click D: drive and select “Delete Volume“.
- Right click C: drive and select “Extend Volume“, follow up the “Extend Volume Wizard” to merge Unallocated space to C drive.
Merge C and D with server partition software
To combine C and D drive in Windows Server 2008/2012/2016/2019/2022 with partition software, D drive could be either Primary or Logical. All files in D drive will be moved to root directory of C drive automatically. To accomplish this task, only several clicks are needed.
How to merge C and D drive in Windows server with partition software:
(Valid for Windows Server 2003, 2008, 2012, 2016, 2019 and 2022)
- Download NIUBI Partition Editor, right click either C or D drive and select “Merge Volume”.
- Click the check-box of both C and D drive in the pop-up window, then click OK and back to the main window.
- Click “Apply” on top left to take effect, done.
How to merge C and E drive in Windows server
Note: E: here means a nonadjacent partition. If it is contiguous to C drive, follow the steps above.
As I said above, to merge C and E drive in Windows Server 2008/2012/2016/2019/2022, Disk Management cannot help you. Because when merging nonadjacent partitions, the middle partition D must be moved to the right, Disk Management has no such ability.
Steps to merge C and E drive in Windows server when they are nonadjacent:
- Transfer all files in E drive to other place.
- Right click E drive in NIUBI Partition Editor and select “Delete Volume”.
- Right click D drive and select “Resize/Move Volume”. In the pop-up window, drag the middle of D drive towards right. Then Unallocated space will be moved to the left.
- Right click C drive and select “Resize/Move Volume” again, drag right border towards right in the pop-up window. Then Unallocated space will be combined to C drive.
If your aim is to increase C drive space, it is not suggested to merge it with other one. Instead, you’d better shrink D or E to get Unallocated space, and then add to C drive. In this way, you won’t lose any partition. Operating system, programs and anything else keep the same with before. Follow the steps in the video to shrink D/E and extend C drive:
Besides merging, shrinking and extending partition in Windows Server 2003/2008/2012/2016/2019/2022, NIUBI Partition Editor helps you do disk partition clone, conversion and other management operations.