Hard drives are fundamental components for the operating system because the files are installed on them to activate the operation of said system. Often times it is necessary to manage the hard drive so it is convenient to know how to extend or shrink the volume in Windows Server 2022 to optimize the partitions .
Index( )
- What are the steps to modify the volume of a partition?
- How to reduce or increase the volume of a partition?
- If I occupy CMD
- From Windows
- Why is it necessary to extend the volume of data?
- Why expand disabled disk volume?
- On disk C
- For disk D
What are the steps to modify the volume of a partition?
The steps you must follow will depend on the tool you choose for this purpose. In any case, it is important that you know the number of volumes that the partitions have and the available space of each one of them; in this way, you will be able to apply the modifications correctly.
It should be noted that Windows Server 2022 has restrictions on modifying the volume of partitions, including the use of the NTFS format, and that only one volume can be shrunk from right to left. Similarly, only one volume can be extended into the unallocated space to the right of the partition.
How to reduce or increase the volume of a partition?
One way to reduce or increase the volume of a partition is to use the Windows console or CMD. Also, you can use a default Windows application called ‘ Server Manager ‘ or choose an external application. Any of these options will be useful to modify the volume of your partitions successfully.
If I occupy CMD
It is possible to occupy CMD in order to increase or decrease the volume of a partition in Windows Server 2022. To do this, click on the start button and search for the ‘ Command Prompt ‘ application . Similarly, you can type ‘cmd’ in the search bar and click ‘Run as administrator’ if you want to open the command console or CMD .
In the window type the command ‘diskpart’ (without quotes) and press the ‘Enter’ key to open the disk manager . Then type ‘list volume’ (without quotes) and hit ‘Enter’. You will be able to see the numbers of all the volumes, the letter that identifies them, their label, the format, the type, the size and the status.
Select the volume using the select volume # commands, replacing ‘#’ with the number that corresponds to the volume you want to modify. Then type extend size = size in MB if you want to extend the volume or shrink desired = size in MB to reduce it.
From Windows
In the same way, it is possible to extend or reduce the volume of a partition from Windows since there is a default application in the system for this purpose. To achieve this, you must go to the home screen and select the option ‘Server Manager’.
Once you access the server manager you must click on the option ‘Storage file services’ that you will find in the left panel of the window. Later, enter the ‘Volumes’ section to view all the partitions that you have installed on the server.
Right click on the volume you want to modify and choose the option ‘Extend volume’. With the help of the Windows wizard, indicate the amount of space, press ‘Next’ and ‘Finish’. You can also manage the drive letter and paths as well as check for file system errors.
On the other hand, if you prefer to reduce the volume, you must access the ‘Tools’ menu and click on ‘Computer Management’. Then select the ‘Storage’ option to show all volumes . Press the right mouse button on the volume you are going to modify and click on ‘Reduce volume’.
Immediately, a new window will open where you must specify with the help of the Windows wizard what is the amount of MB you want to reduce. If the space size you want to reduce is less than the total size before applying the reduction , then you can press the ‘Reduce’ button.
Why is it necessary to extend the volume of data?
It is necessary to extend the data volume when the available space is reaching its limit. Because the volume already stores a set of files, users aspire to modify the volume without data loss . For this reason, we advise you to create a backup before extending any partition that houses data.
Why expand disabled disk volume?
It is convenient to expand the volume of a disabled disk when you have little available space and you notice that there is a partition with unallocated space. Therefore, you can get that space and take advantage of it either to create a new volume or extend another partition.
However, if you have a disabled disk volume it means that Windows Server 2022 ‘Server Manager’ has enforced a restriction. In such circumstances, you should use third-party software in order to expand the volume without any problem.
On disk C
To expand a disabled disk volume on disk C you must download the ‘AOMEI Partition Assistant Professional’ tool . After installing the application , enter it and right click on disk C. Note that the disk volume is no longer disabled and that you can choose the option ‘Allocate free space’.
For disk D
It is possible to create unallocated space for disk D. In this way, the volume of disk C could be expanded. However, converting disk D to unallocated space would erase all data on this partition. To avoid this, use the above application and extend the volume without losing data by clicking on ‘Merge Partition’.
