Shrink volume in windows xp

Edit this Article. We use cookies to make wikiHow great. By using our site, you agree to our cookie policy. Cookie Settings. Learn why people trust wikiHow. Backup your important data. Windows XP does not include a "Shrink Partition" function so you'll be using a third-party tool.

This means that there's an increased chance that your data could be lost or corrupted. Backup all of your important data to another location before shrinking in case something goes wrong. Click here for detailed instructions on quickly backing up your important files.

Download and install MiniTool Partition Wizard. The free version can perform most basic partition tasks. There are a variety of free partition managers available that do the same thing. You can download MiniTool Partition Wizard for free from partitionwizard. Launch MiniTool Partition Wizard.

You will see a list of your installed hard disks and each of the partitions they contain. At the top of the list you will see the layout of your partitions on the disk.

The layout determines how you can shrink the partition. Select the partition you want to shrink. You can shrink any partition that has been formatted, even your Windows boot partition. You won't be able to shrink unallocated space or unformatted space until it has been formatted with a file system. This will open a new window with a bar representing the partition's storage.

Any data currently on the partition will be represented by a slightly darker color. Drag the sliders on each side to shrink. You can shrink the partition from either side. Unallocated space will be created on each side of the partition depending on how much you shrink. You can't shrink the partition more than the amount of free space.

Choosing the correct side is important if you want to add that space to an existing partition. For example, you have a C: drive with your Windows installation and a D: drive with your data. To add space to the Windows partition C: , you'll need to shrink the D: drive on its left side.

This will create unallocated space between the C: and D: drives. You can then add it to the C: drive. Queue up any additional changes. If there is a requirement, only commit the task in the end. That is how she managed to shrink Windows XP partition and extend it with fee partition software.

All the date won't be lost when doing these procedures. Is it easy? To enjoy more features, please download it. Step 3: Remember to select "Apply" to hand in the task. Extend C Drive in Windows XP without Formatting Due to the steps above has released some unallocated space, it is apparent that the space is rightly behind C:.

Step 2: Do not forget to select "Apply" to save the change. Tips: Based on personal's demand, the procedures above can merge together to operate.

Still Need Help? Have your problem been solved? If not, please input query in the search box below. Isn't PartedMagic a re-packaged, paid version, of the free GParted? PartedMagic is no longer free software, an open source alternative might be gparted.

Show 2 more comments. Peter Mortensen Srin Srin 1 1 gold badge 3 3 silver badges 11 11 bronze badges. Is this program really reliable? I don't have any experience with it, but I'm a little bit suspicious of Windows-based programs, when such critical operations have to be made. Sk8erPeter looks good, even Lifehacker has an article on it: lifehacker. It doesn't prove anything at all. Well, since lifehacker is a legitimate and respectable source of software recommendations I thought this would get it some points on your trust scale.

Never mind, I guess you just have to try it out, worked fine for me though. Beware that it tries to install some adware in there too.

You could try to boot from a Linux live CD and run Gparted, it may work for you. For example, this is a live cd image from GParted: gparted. The Overflow Blog. Podcast Making Agile work for data science. Stack Gives Back Featured on Meta.