How to resize Windows 2008 partition without losing data?

To many Server administrators, to resize Windows 2008 partition is not an easy task, so in this article, I'll talk about how to resize partition on Windows 2008 Server without reinstalling or rebooting Server.

More and more updates and applications installed to the Windows 2008 Server system partition, browser caches, temporary files and restore points of Windows system protection can eat up your free space quickly.

When system C drive is full or running out of spce, what will you do? Windows Cleanup utility and programs uninstallation are useless to solve this problem. To start over is a solution but it may cause data losing and no one would like to waste their whole happy weekend to rebuild the Server.

The most time-saving and easiest way is to resize Windows 2008 partition with reliable Server partitioning software. That is to say, shrink other data partition and get some free space to extend the system C drive, no need to start over and solve this problem much faster and easier.

Windows 2008 resize partition with Diskpart or Disk Management

Some people want to resize Windows 2008 partition with Diskpart command line or under Disk Management, in fact, neither of these tools can helps you.

Requirements of Diskpart command line

1. The volume must be formatted with the NTFS file system.
2. For Basic volumes, the unallocated space for the extension must be the next contiguous space on the same disk.
3. Only the extension of data volumes is supported.
4. You cannot extend the partition if the system page file is located on the partition. (Diskpart extend Server 2003)

Actually, Windows 2008 Disk Management is GUI of Diskpart command line, you cannot extend C drive by shrinking other data partitions. (How to shrink and extend partition under Disk Management)

Resize Windows 2008 partition with partition software

With Server partition software, there are no such limitations, you can drag and move on the disk map to shrink and extend any partition as you wish. All data is keeping intact while resizing. All operations can be previewed or cancelled before applying.

Within several minutes, you have a 'new' Windows 2008 Server without doing anything else.

Ensure data security when resizing

There is no doubt that the fastest way to solve Server 2008 low disk space problem is by resizing partitions, but you should choose the reliable Server partition software, no one would like to see boot failure or data loss after resizing.

Based on the unique enhanced data protection technology and Copy Wizard built in Partition Magic Server, you don't need to worry about the data safety. This Server partition manager is highly recommended by many professionals and editors, besides, many Fortune 500, governments and universities select it to manage their Servers.

How to resize Windows 2008 partition?

- It is extremely easy to resize Windows 2008 partition. Just drag and move on the disk map to shrink an existing data partition to get some Unallocated space, and then you can easily extend the system partition.

- If the system partition is NTFS, you can extend it without rebooting.

Steps to resize Windows 2008 partition without rebuilding or rebooting

Step 1, Launch Partition Magic Server, you'll see all disks and partitions that connected to your Server and free space, used space and other properties of each partition.

Right-click the data partition and select "Resize", in the pop-up window, drag the left border rightwards to shrink it.

There will be some Unallocated space behind the system partition.

Step 2, Right-click C drive and select "Resize", in the pop-up window, drag the right border rightwards to hold the Unallocated space.

Click "Apply" to proceed, done. After several minutes, you'll have a "new" Server that can be used for a long time again.

For enterprise users, Unlimited Edition allows unlimited usage within your company to save time and money.

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