Change partition size for Windows Server 2012
This article introduces how to change size of disk partition on Windows Server 2012 without losing data. Adjust volume size for Server 2012 by simply drag and drop.
C drive low disk space
Low disk space is the most common issue on both Windows client computer and servers. Comparing with other volumes, system C drive is more likely running out of space and you can’t solve this issue by simply transferring files. No matter when C drive or the partition for database, backup is getting full, it is not a good idea to start from scratch. With partitioning software you can change size of the allocated partition without reinstalling Operating System or losing data.
However, you’d better back up and use safe disk partition tool, otherwise, there is potential risk of losing data or waist a long time to restore.
As the safest tool, NIUBI Partition Editor provides innovative technologies to ensure system and data intact, including:
- 1 Second Rollback – automatically reverts server to original status if any software or hardware issue occur, so server could back online in a short time without damage.
- Virtual Mode – the operations you do will be listed as pending for preview and real disk partitions won’t be modified until you click Apply to confirm.
- Cancel at will – it helps cancel the ongoing but unwanted operations immediately without losing data.
- Hot-Resize – change partition size on the fly (close other running programs and files in the volume that you are shrinking before starting NIUBI).
The options to adjust partition size
It is very easy to change partition size on Windows Server 2012 (R2), and you just need to click, drag and drop on the disk map. There are several ways to adjust partition size:
Merge Volume
Merge VolumeYou may combine two adjacent partitions just by several clicks. This method is better for two data volumes, if you installed programs in drive D, do not merge it into C drive.
Split Partition
Split PartitionIf a volume is created too large and you want to split it to more smaller partitions, use “Resize/Move Volume” feature to shrink it, then part of free space will be released and converted to Unallocated, and then create new volume(s) with this Unallocated space.
Shrink and extend partition
Shrink and extend partition“Resize/Move Volume” feature can shrink a volume to extend another one in the same disk. Unallocated space can be generated on either side when you shrinking a volume, then combine it to the drive that you want to extend.
If you use hardware RAID arrays such as RAID 0/1/5/10, do not break the array or do any operations to the controller. The steps to change partition size for Server 2012 are the same with on single physical disk.
Example to change partition size on Server 2012
In most of the servers, the server administrators want to change size of both drive C and D, so here I’ll introduce how to shrink D to expand C.
Download NIUBI Partition Editor and you’ll see all disk partitions with graphical layout on the right, available operations to selected disk or partition are listed on the left or by right clicking.
In my test server, there are drive C, D, E and a system reserved partition. Original drive D is 70GB and C is 40GB.
Steps to adjust partition size on Windows Server 2012 (R2):
Right click the contiguous partition (D) and select “Resize/Move Volume”, drag left border rightwards in the pop-up window:
This partition (D) is shrank to 50GB and 20GB Unallocated space is produced on its left side.
Right click C drive and select “Resize/Move Volume” again, drag right border rightwards to combine the Unallocated space in the pop-up window.
Partition C is extended to 60GB.
Click Apply on top left to execute, done.
If you want to shrink or delete the non-adjacent drive E, you need an additional step to move Unallocated space next to C drive.
Right click drive D and select “Resize/Move Volume”, drag middle position rightwards in the pop-up window:
Unallocated space will be moved from right of D to the left. Follow Step 2 above to add Unallocated space to C drive.
No partitioning software can extend a volume by taking free space from another separated hard disk, so if there is no other volume or you can’t get free space from all other partitions in the same disk, you need to clone this disk to another larger one. C drive (and other data volumes) can be extended with extra space in the large disk.
Besides the powerful data protection ability, NIUBI Partition Editor is much faster (30% to 300%) because of its advanced file-moving algorithm. That means, if reboot is unavoidable when changing partition size on Windows Server 2012, server could back online in less time. (Some Windows services cannot be closed manually, then it requires reboot to finish shrinking or moving drive D.)
