How to change partition size in Windows Server 2016
All disk partition size are allocated when building the server, but the scheduled size may not meet your needs after running this server for a period of time. The typical example is that C drive is getting full. In some servers, the server administrators want to shrink a large partition to create more volumes. Then is it possible to adjust Server 2016 partition size without losing data? The answer is definitely yes.
To change partition size in Windows 2016 server, there are two choices: run Windows built-in Disk Management and third party partition software. Disk Management is able to shrink and extend volume without rebooting. But at the same time, it has many restrictions. Disk partition software is much more powerful, but you’d better back up server and run safe program. Otherwise, it may cause system boot failure or partition damage. In this article, I’ll introduce how to change partition size in Windows Server 2016 with both kinds of tools.
1. Change volume size with Disk Management
From Windows Server 2008, Microsoft added Shrink Volume and Extend Volume functions to help resize partition without losing data (in most cases). Windows Server 2016 inherited the same functions without any changes. If you just want to shrink NTFS partition to create new volume, you may try this native tool. If you want to decrease a partition to increase another one, Disk Management cannot help you.
How to decrease Server 2016 partition size:
- Press Windows + X keys together and then click “Disk Management“.
- Right click a NTFS partition and select “Shrink Volume…“.
- Enter an amount of space and click “Shrink” button to process. If you do not enter an amount, all available free space will be used.
How to increase Server 2016 partition size:
- Move all files in the contiguous partition such as D: to other place.
- Right click this partition in Disk Management and select “Delete Volume“.
- Right click the left partition C: and select “Extend Volume…“
- Follow up the pop-up Extend Volume Wizard.
Limitations to change partition size with Server 2016 Disk Management:
- It cannot shrink a volume beyond the point where any unmovable files are located.
- It can only change size of NTFS partition, FAT32 and any other types of partitions can’t be resized.
- It can only shrink NTFS partition towards left and make Unallocated space on the right.
- It can only increase a NTFS volume when there’s contiguous Unallocated space on the right. This is the reason why you must delete contiguous partition D to expand C drive. If you want to extend C or E drive by shrinking D, Disk Management cannot help you.
Change drive size with safe partition software
To change volume size in Windows Server 2016, disk partition software is better choice. It can resize both NTFS and FAT32 partitions. To do this, you just need to drag and drop on the disk map. Unallocated space can be made on either left or right side when shrinking a volume. Partitions can be extended with either contiguous or non adjacent unallocated space on the same disk. After changing partition size, Operating system, programs and anything else keep the same with before.
Watch the video how to change partition size in Windows Server 2016:
Pay attention to data safety
Many people think that Windows native tool has best compatibility, but it’s not alway true. Disk Management destroyed my partitions several times when shrinking partition. Pay more attention when there are both primary and logical drives on a disk. Unlike read-only program, all disk partition tool will modify the parameters of associated partition. Boot files will be updated if you change size of system C: drive. Therefore, there’s potential system/partition damage risk.
Better than other tools, NIUBI Partition Editor has Virtual Mode and Cancel-at-will technology to avoid wrong operations. If has unique 1-Second Rollback technology for fast recovery. If it detects any error when adjust partition size, it is able to revert server to original status in a flash automatically. To ensure 100% safety, you may clone system disk before any operations or regularly. Whenever system disk goes wrong, you can boot from the clone disk immediately. Because of its advanced file-moving algorithm, it is 30% to 300% faster.
Besides change partition size in Windows Server 2016/2019/2022 and Server 2003/2008/2012, NIUBI Partition Editor helps you do many other disk partition management operations. For example, clone disk/partition to back up or migrate operating system and data. Convert disk partition type, move, merge, defrag, wipe, hide partition, scan bad sectors, etc.