Quite often, many users need to change the size of hard disk partitions, which may be due to unreasonably large or small volumes initially set for the hard drive. The action plan uses either an increase or a decrease in volume. There are several ways to change the size of a disk in Windows 10, using both the system's own toolkit and programs from third-party developers. Further, it is proposed to consider several options for the operations performed, which will be quite simple for ordinary users to understand and put into practice. But first, let's define some important aspects in choosing the optimal size for the system partition (if you don't know this, some actions will turn out to be absolutely meaningless).
Nuances of size selectionsystem partition
As for setting the optimal size for the system partition, which contains all the files and directories of Windows itself, it is not always advisable to rely on the default values. Typically, experts recommend starting from the total size of all installed or installed Windows components, and you should always keep at least 10-15% of the total space as unallocated disk space. But do not forget that you will install your own programs in the system partition, so it is better to free up another 5-10 percent.
Thus, the minimum disk size in Windows 10 will include system components, which will take up approximately 4/5 of the total space, and 1/5 will remain unallocated. This is necessary solely for the correct operation of the OS itself (do not forget about the backups created, the use of virtual memory with the paging file, etc.).
How to change the disk size in Windows 10 during system installation?
Now let's go directly to the actions to be performed. To begin with, let's look at the simplest steps that you can perform even at the stage of installing Windows on your own computer or laptop. Let's say you have a new hard drive or a partitioned drive. In the first case, at one of the installation stages, you can use the tool to create a new partition. And here it’s really better to agree with using the size for the system partition,offered by the installer.
In the second case, resizing disk partitions in Windows 10 can be done by deleting all of them, and after the appearance of unallocated space, you will need to set the partition again, specifying a different volume for the logical disk. The remaining space will be automatically attached to the system partition.
How to reduce the size of the system disk in Windows 10 using the built-in system tools?
Now let's assume that similar actions need to be performed in an already installed OS. We proceed from the fact that the system partition is too large and needs to be reduced. You can change the size of a disk in Windows 10, as well as in the eighth and tenth modifications, by using the system's own tool in the form of a disk management toolkit. The easiest way to call it is from the Run console by running the command diskmgmt.msc.
In the main window, right-click on the system partition, select the volume compression option, after which you will be prompted to set the size of the compressed space.
It will not be possible to set the volume above the specified value, but less - no problem. After confirmation, the compression process will start, and at the end of it, unallocated space will appear among the partitions. Through RMB, you already choose to create a simple volume on it, and then perform standard operations for assigning a letter, volume label, formatting, etc. Basically, you can justfollow the instructions of the "Master".
Expanding the volume using the system
Now let's figure out how to increase the size of the disk in Windows 10. For example, you need to perform such actions specifically for the system partition on which there is not enough space. Very often, the volume extension item is inactive. In this case, you can first shrink the logical partition, and after the appearance of unallocated space, select the extension (by the way, even many advanced users forget about this). It is especially worth noting that in this situation, all operations will be performed without data loss.
If the data in the logical partition is of no value to you, you can delete the entire partition altogether, and then perform the expansion operations described above.
Note: all the above operations can be applied in the same way to disks included in RAID arrays (when you have two or more HDDs or SSDs connected to your computer). If, for some reason, the hard drive is not visible in Windows 10 (meaning a newly connected drive), and instead of it, unallocated space is displayed, most likely, you will first need to initialize the drive using the same control section disks. If even the unallocated area is not visible, you can try to perform initialization at startup from bootable media created on the basis of special programs for working with disks and partitions. If this does not help, the disk will have to be checked for operability.
Featuredactions after merging sections
In the case of merging partitions, it is very common to observe performance degradation when accessing a system or logical partition. The reason for this phenomenon can only be called that all information is scattered in the form of fragments.
Therefore, it is highly recommended to defragment the partition that has been resized.
Note: defragmentation is contraindicated for SSDs at all!
Resizing a partition with automatic merging in AOMEI's Partition Assistant
Third-party partition utilities look much simpler. Ordinary users can be recommended to change the disk size in Windows 10 by using the Partition Assistant software package.
If you only need to expand or shrink the volume, use the option to change the partition in the menu located at the bottom left of the main window, and then move the special slider to set the required volumes, then go through the standard operations with assigning letters, formatting, etc..d., and then confirm the execution of the specified actions several times. All of them will be executed only when the system is rebooted.
Resizing the disk with the creation of a new partition and merging partitions
Finally, if you need to "pinch off" some of the space by reducing the size of the partition, useitem for dividing the disk into partitions.
In the same way, you can simply combine all available sections into one whole by using the corresponding item in the same menu for this. All related operations will remain the same as in the previous case, but when merging partitions, if they have the same file system, formatting can be skipped.
Note: in addition to the above application, you can use other similar software products, for example, from Acronis.
