Windows 7 Partition size

[R J Kinloch]

Hi Guys,
How do I increase the size of my O/S share of the hard disc. C is full but I have 198 gig on my D drive.


Thanks in advance.

[Bushfiva]

Partitioning software such as Easeus Partition Master will do it. It's free. There are similar alternatives, free and paid.

[Milo Minderbinder]

Windows 7 comes with a built in partition resize tool
see Resize a Partition for Free in Windows 7 or Vista - How-To Geek (http://www.howtogeek.com/howto/windows-vista/resize-a-partition-for-free-in-windows-vista/)

note that you'll probably have to delete d: and then expand into the freed space. Trying to shrink d: probably wont work as it will shrink from the "top" of the partition, not the bottom
If there is any data on d:, copy it to somewhere else first

If you want to keep d: and shrink if from the bottom then you'll need third party software. Theres a couple of Linux distributions which are aimed solely at doing this, using the GPARTED program

Partedmagic (http://partedmagic.com/doku.php)
GParted -- Live CD/USB/PXE/HD (http://gparted.sourceforge.net/livecd.php)

if one distro won't boot on your machine, try the other

[Loose rivets]

I'm broadening the subject a bit, but my problem has always been trying to grab back some of drive C. I always partition into 3 logical drives, but it seems there are files at the furthest reaches of C that won't be budged - well, not by the layman - and it is these that prohibit the smallerization.

A method of easily recapturing C would be appreciated.


So many manufacturers now put junk into D - basically seizing it as their own, and for me, that's a non-starter. I won't buy the kit. Sony so far have put a hidden partition which some utilities reveal as being at the outer edge of the disc. Wherever it is, it works for me.

Not having a OS disc is a pain, because Recovering with a home made disc seems to remove one's partitions.:ugh::ugh::ugh: And put the :mad: junk back on. Yes, you, Mr HP.

[Avtrician]

Clean out the c/windows/temp directory, that will have a lot of junk in it (5.3Gig in mine).

That will help a little, also the temp internet files tend to fill up with junk as well.

[Milo Minderbinder]

Its probably the space allocated to virtual memory thats causing problems

But if you use those Linux distros I linked to above, it shouldn't be a problem

[izod tester]

Another folder which can take up a lot of space is the c:\windows\winsxs folder. This contains files added by service packs and patches. If you are prepared to lose the capability to roll back to pre patch and service pack status then a lot of space can be reclaimed. In my case I got 8 Gb back.

In Windows 7, the DISM /online /Cleanup-Image /SpSuperseded command at an elevated permissions command prompt will do the job.

See How to Alleviate Disk Space Pressure Caused By a Large Windows Component Store (WinSxS) Directory (http://support.microsoft.com/kb/2592038) for more info.

[PowerDragTrim]

Loose rivets - why not download the OS and burn your own installation DVD?
Reinstall with that.

[Loose rivets]

I'm unclear as to what rights I have in that procedure. In fact, I'd rather gathered that if you have a factory pre-installed OS, that's it, like it or lump it. You can only use a Restore from the HD or a DVD you made.

Are you saying my case-badge would entitle me to download a pure copy and apply that license to it?

[Milo Minderbinder]

theres no legal reason to stop you
The disk images are available on Digital River's site (M$ distributor)



http://msft.digitalrivercontent.net/win/X17-58996.iso Win7 Home Premium x86

http://msft.digitalrivercontent.net/win/X17-58997.iso Win7 Home Premium x64

http://msft.digitalrivercontent.net/win/X17-59183.iso Win 7 Pro x86

http://msft.digitalrivercontent.net/win/X17-59186.iso Win 7 Pro x64

http://msft.digitalrivercontent.net/win/X17-59463.iso Win7 Ultimate x86

http://msft.digitalrivercontent.net/win/X17-59465.iso Win7 Utimate x64


You can also link directly to another set from Dell's site (anyone can use them - Dell just posted for convenience)

Dell Community (http://en.community.dell.com/support-forums/software-os/w/microsoft_os/3316.2-1-microsoft-windows-7-official-iso-download-links-digital-river.aspx)



For the sake of the mods:
These are not links to bootleg sites. These are links to official, legal microsoft downloads on microsoft sanctioned servers


Just remember that if you use these, you lose ALL software and drivers installed as part of the preload.
You should be able to activate them using the product key on the side of the machine. However in most cases you will have to activate by phone as online activation is blocked for most OEM product keys

Similar links for Office 2007/10/11 are available

[ian16th]

Power Quest Partition Magic has done everything I've ever wanted with altering partitions. This includes increasing the size of a Boot Partition at the cost of space from a 2nd partition on the same drive.

I'm happily using V7 with Win/XP.

The current version is V8 and is Free to try, $69.95 to buy, from Download Partition Magic 8.0 (http://partition-magic.soft32.com/)

What isn't clear is just how much you can achieve during a free trial.

[Bushfiva]

it's an abandoned antique. The free version does almost nothing. The paid version does less than the free Easeus, which started off as a clone.

[Milo Minderbinder]

PowerQuest were purchased by Symantec some years ago, mainly to get their hands on the PowerQuest drive image software to replace the life-expired Norton Ghost
The other PQ products were abandoned. That Soft32 site thats been suggested is hosting a years old version that predates Win7 and Vista. Don't use it
Another reason for keeping away is that Soft32 is an advertising sponsored site that makes its money from bundling toolbars, scamware and other assorted grot with its downloads. Its also highly unlikely that despite offering a "paid for" version, that they actually have a licence to do this
Avoid

Between Easus and the other software I mentioned earlier, there are enough free tools to do the job

[OFSO]

RJ, might I suggest a very easy option and move some of your larger files from the C to the D drive, or buy an external drive - they are very cheap now - and move them there. And yes, the first suggestion was the approach I took. And the second suggestion (hidden safe-location external drive) backs everything up.

[Fareastdriver]

As OFSO says; move it. Media takes up the space, just shift it all over to disc D and leave C for libraries and soft ware.

[Biggles78]

Assuming all your files are in your User Profile, move that to the D partition.

Right Click on each folder listed below, click on Location Tab and change the location from C to D. Don't change anything except the drive letter. New folder will be created and the data moved. Unfortunately you need to do this for each folder:

Contacts
Desktop
Downloads
Favorites
Links
My Documents
My Music
My Pictures
My Videos
Saved Games
Searches

The good thing is once that is done, if you ever need to reinstall the O/S onto the C partition then all your data will not be over written. You would be advises to back it up before hand though and you will need to repoint to the User lacation on the D partition.

In case it isn't mentioned (I may have missed it), clean out your Temp folder.
C: \Users\UserName\AppData\Local\Temp (system files and folders don't get moved as per the above User folders, just data.

CCleaner (http://www.piriform.com/ccleaner)can also be used but be advised it does remove items you may use everyday like saved logon cookies etc.

[green granite]

CCleaner can also be used but be advised it does remove items you may use everyday like saved logon cookies etc.

eerrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr no, just move the cookies that give you auto-login into the 'do not erase area' under options>cookies.