How much can I shrink drive that contains the OS ?

sportflyer

sportflyer
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Just purchased a new win 8.1 computer. As you know it only has the system, recovery partitions and a very large C drive containing the OS and whatever programs that came with the computer.

After cleaning up any unneeded programs, I would like to create 2 more partitions besides drive C:

Total HDD Capacity is 1TB

Is the free space on drive C: indicted in disk management an accurate reading?

Is 80G enough for OS and programs plus some spare space ?
I base the 80G on my older win7 computer where I allocated 78G and only used 44G after 4 years . I am sure I can get away with only 60G but I prefer some wiggle room .

Thanks
 

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Post a snapshot of a fullscreen Disk Management please.

To open Disk Management, press Windows key+r, type diskmgmt.msc and press Enter or click GO. Make it full screen.

How to Use the Snipping Tool in Vista - Vista Forums (says it's for Vista but also works with Win 7/8).

Once you have the image saved, start a new reply, click on Go Advanced.
Click on the Paperclip Icon next to the Smiley Icon.
In the Manage Attachments window, click Browse and navigate to where you saved the image and select it.
Click the Upload button.
Close the Manage Attachments window.
Click on the Paperclip Icon again and select the image you uploaded. It will be placed in your post at the cursor location.
 

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I think 80GB will be plenty for the OS - actually a lot more than I ever used. But how do you plan to shrink the C partition? With Disk Management you may not get the result you want.
 

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  • OS
    Vista and Win7
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    2xHP, 2xGateway, 1xDell, 1xSony
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    5 SSDs and 12 HDs
Assuming the C drive is 1TB ( in reality it would be less because of the recovery partition and system partition),

I would start by shrinking the C drive (using disk management) by 942080MB leaving approx 80G for the OS and programs and 942080 unallocated space.

Then I would then create 150G partition for drive E:\ for data and docs and F:\ for entertainment files from the unallocated space

I could create a drive G: but I dont think I can have that many primary Partitions

I would adjust the shrink values depending on the initial size of the c drive.

Do you think this step by step method would work?

Should I place a check on quick format each time I shrink/create the partition?
 

My Computer

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  • OS
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I don't think Disk Management will allow you to shrink the OS partition to 80GB. Be interesting to see what you end up with.
 

My Computer

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  • OS
    Windows 10 Pro X64
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    Lenovo IdeaCenter K450
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    Intel Quad Core i7-4770 @ 3.4Ghz
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    Lenovo
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I don't think Disk Management will allow you to shrink the OS partition to 80GB. Be interesting to see what you end up with.

Yeah right, that was my point too. I never shrunk such a big partition in 8.1. Am interested in the result too.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Vista and Win7
    System Manufacturer/Model
    2xHP, 2xGateway, 1xDell, 1xSony
    Hard Drives
    5 SSDs and 12 HDs
What should I use if not windows disk management is not capable ?

Minitool Partition Wizard ie EaseUS ?

Tks
 

My Computer

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    win8.1
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    DONT KNOW ( AIO conputer )
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    8GB
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    intel 4600 + Nvdia GeForce GT730A
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    Integrated
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    Sandisk SDSA5DK-166g-1006

    ST1000LM024 HN101MBB
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Partition Wizard bootable CD or the bootable CD of AOMEI Partition Assistant. But please let us know how far you got with Disk Management.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Vista and Win7
    System Manufacturer/Model
    2xHP, 2xGateway, 1xDell, 1xSony
    Hard Drives
    5 SSDs and 12 HDs
I am afraid to try in case I mess it up .

I think it's safer to use Minitool Partition wizard. Here I can just split the partition into 80G and the rest .

Are you saying that I have to run the mini partition Wizard from a USB flash drive? Can't I just install the minitool partition Wizard into my C drive and run it from there?

Tks
 

My Computer

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    DONT KNOW ( AIO conputer )
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Take a look at the Shrink warning. The warning will give you the lowest number that you can shrink the OS volume to. This number is based upon where the unmovable files are.

In my case.......the unmovable files are at about 25259 Mb, so I couldn't shrink the drive any lower than 25600 Mb, using the Windows OS.

Capture2.JPG
 

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Good point about immovable files limiting shrink size.

BTW can someone tell me the difference between shrinking a drive and splitting a drive ? Dont both actions result in the same thing?
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    win8.1
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    PC/Desktop
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    CPU
    i5-4570T
    Motherboard
    DONT KNOW ( AIO conputer )
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    8GB
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    intel 4600 + Nvdia GeForce GT730A
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    Integrated
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    Sandisk SDSA5DK-166g-1006

    ST1000LM024 HN101MBB
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Using Disk Management, there is no split. Only shrink and extend.

My 128GB SSD will only shrink to 85GB.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 10 Pro X64
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Lenovo IdeaCenter K450
    CPU
    Intel Quad Core i7-4770 @ 3.4Ghz
    Motherboard
    Lenovo
    Memory
    16.0GB PC3-12800 DDR3 SDRAM 1600 MHz
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    Intel Integrated HD Graphics
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    Realtek HD Audio
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    HP h2207
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    250GB Samsung EVO SATA-3 SSD;
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Disk Management would not mess it up but it is probaly easier to go with the Partition Wizard bootable CD. You cannot use the installed version because you are manipulating the C partition. For all other partitions or disks you can use the installed version. CD ot USB stick are required in your case.

Caution: It is always recommended to make an image of the C partition before you start manipulating it.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Vista and Win7
    System Manufacturer/Model
    2xHP, 2xGateway, 1xDell, 1xSony
    Hard Drives
    5 SSDs and 12 HDs
Using Disk Management, there is no split. Only shrink and extend.

My 128GB SSD will only shrink to 85GB.

I was referring to Partition wizard or other 3rd party sw that has this option .

The only difference I see is that splitting results in an unallocated space to the right , whereas one has the option of making unallocated space to the left side if using shrink .
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    win8.1
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    HP Envy Recline 23-k011
    CPU
    i5-4570T
    Motherboard
    DONT KNOW ( AIO conputer )
    Memory
    8GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    intel 4600 + Nvdia GeForce GT730A
    Sound Card
    Integrated
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Generic PnP
    Screen Resolution
    1920 X1080
    Hard Drives
    Sandisk SDSA5DK-166g-1006

    ST1000LM024 HN101MBB
    Internet Speed
    comcast blast
    Browser
    IE 11
Using Disk Management, there is no split. Only shrink and extend.

My 128GB SSD will only shrink to 85GB.

I was referring to Partition wizard or other 3rd party sw that has this option .

The only difference I see is that splitting results in an unallocated space to the right , whereas one has the option of making unallocated space to the left side if using shrink .

Shrinking a partition can also allow you the option of placing the unallocated space before or after the partition, using 3 party software.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Self built
    CPU
    Intel Core i7-4790
    Motherboard
    GA-Z87X-D3H
    Memory
    G.SKILL 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3 F3-10666CL9D-8GBNT
    Graphics Card(s)
    Sapphire ATI Radeon R7 250
    Sound Card
    Realtek ALC892
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Samsung UN32EH5000, Dell 1703FPT
    Screen Resolution
    1920 x 1080
    Hard Drives
    WD5003AZEX
    WD10EZEX
    Samsung HD103SJ
    Samsung 128 GB 840 PRO
    PSU
    SeaSonic M12II SS-500GM
    Case
    Fractal Design Define R4
    Cooling
    Zalman CNPS9900ALED
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    Logitech M705
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    16 Mbps
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    Bose Companion 2 Multimedia Speakers
Using Disk Management, there is no split. Only shrink and extend.

My 128GB SSD will only shrink to 85GB.

I was referring to Partition wizard or other 3rd party sw that has this option .

The only difference I see is that splitting results in an unallocated space to the right , whereas one has the option of making unallocated space to the left side if using shrink .

Shrinking a partition can also allow you the option of placing the unallocated space before or after the partition, using 3 party software.
On a SSD it does not matter but on a HDD you want the C partition in front - faster access.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Vista and Win7
    System Manufacturer/Model
    2xHP, 2xGateway, 1xDell, 1xSony
    Hard Drives
    5 SSDs and 12 HDs
Disk Management would not mess it up but it is probaly easier to go with the Partition Wizard bootable CD. You cannot use the installed version because you are manipulating the C partition. For all other partitions or disks you can use the installed version. CD ot USB stick are required in your case.

Caution: It is always recommended to make an image of the C partition before you start manipulating it.

Good point. I will make an image of the disk with Macrium before manipulating the c drive.

Why is it that windows disk management can shrink the C drive whereas 3rd party sw like Partition Wizard needs a USB version.

Is the GUI of the Partition Wizard USB version same as the installed version ? Do you know where I can find a tutorial to do this ?

Thanks
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    win8.1
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    HP Envy Recline 23-k011
    CPU
    i5-4570T
    Motherboard
    DONT KNOW ( AIO conputer )
    Memory
    8GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    intel 4600 + Nvdia GeForce GT730A
    Sound Card
    Integrated
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Generic PnP
    Screen Resolution
    1920 X1080
    Hard Drives
    Sandisk SDSA5DK-166g-1006

    ST1000LM024 HN101MBB
    Internet Speed
    comcast blast
    Browser
    IE 11
Why is it that windows disk management can shrink the C drive whereas 3rd party sw like Partition Wizard needs a USB version
Because of the MFT (master file table) which is usually located high up in the partition. Disk Management cannot move the MFT but PW can.

Is the GUI of the Partition Wizard USB version same as the installed version ? Do you know where I can find a tutorial to do this ?
Yes, exactly the same.


Do you know where I can find a tutorial to do this ?

Here are all the tutorials you may want. They are excellent.


Technical Support of free partition magic, partition manager servre, partition software and partition magic server - Partition Wizard
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Vista and Win7
    System Manufacturer/Model
    2xHP, 2xGateway, 1xDell, 1xSony
    Hard Drives
    5 SSDs and 12 HDs
I was looking at the tutorials and I believe I understand how to do this seems easy enough . However my computer does not have a CD drive, so I need USB flash version . There seems to be a new Bootable media Maker that can produce a bootable flash drive directly , but there is no link to download the bootable media builder. Is this embedded in one of their Pro products ?
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    win8.1
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    HP Envy Recline 23-k011
    CPU
    i5-4570T
    Motherboard
    DONT KNOW ( AIO conputer )
    Memory
    8GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    intel 4600 + Nvdia GeForce GT730A
    Sound Card
    Integrated
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Generic PnP
    Screen Resolution
    1920 X1080
    Hard Drives
    Sandisk SDSA5DK-166g-1006

    ST1000LM024 HN101MBB
    Internet Speed
    comcast blast
    Browser
    IE 11
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