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How to re-partition a hard disk under Vista or Server 2008 without having to re-install

Following my earlier post How to run Small Business Server (SBS) 2008 on a machie that's already running Vista/XP I thought it worthwhile to explain a nice feature of Vista and Server 2008 which enables you to dynamically resize disk partitions without loosing data.

All you need to do is to select "Disk Management" from the "Computer Management" tool (to find this simply type "Computer Management" from the Start Menu, select the partition you wish to Shrink (or expand) and use the right mouse button menu to perform the action - as long as you have sufficient space to make the change the system will go ahead and resize the partition for you. 

The image below shows you the interface as described above:

 

Published Tuesday, July 08, 2008 3:43 PM by Steve Lamb

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# Steve Lamb's Blog : How to run Small Business Server (SBS) 2008 on a machine that's already running Vista/XP

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Tuesday, July 08, 2008 11:43 AM by Steve Lamb's Blog : How to run Small Business Server (SBS) 2008 on a machine that's already running Vista/XP

# re: How to re-partition a hard disk under Vista or Server 2008 without having to re-install

Hi Steve,

I have a 200GB hard disk with no partition. I tried partitioning through this and not able to shrink more than 6GB volume.

Wednesday, July 09, 2008 4:48 AM by Sumit

# re: How to re-partition a hard disk under Vista or Server 2008 without having to re-install

Steve is there a way to do this if you have made the disk Dynamic instead of Basic??

I have searched all over and not found a way.

Wednesday, July 09, 2008 1:18 PM by John

# re: How to re-partition a hard disk under Vista or Server 2008 without having to re-install

Sumit> that's unusual. Are you trying to do so through the "Computer Management" interface I've shown? Have you tried booting off a Vista/Server or XP installation disk and creating the partition from there?

Thursday, July 10, 2008 4:21 PM by Steve Lamb

# re: How to re-partition a hard disk under Vista or Server 2008 without having to re-install

John> I don't know enough about Dynamic partitions - I've found them to be problematic but that's probably due to my lack of knowledge of them

Thursday, July 10, 2008 4:22 PM by Steve Lamb

# re: How to re-partition a hard disk under Vista or Server 2008 without having to re-install

Steve,

I tried this using the  computer management interface as shown in your blog. I didn't use any installation disk for this. It only allows me to shrink 6GB volume and disables buttons if I enter more than 6GB. suggestions?

Saturday, July 12, 2008 1:46 AM by Sumit

# re: How to re-partition a hard disk under Vista or Server 2008 without having to re-install

I am trying to find out what hard disk partioning is all about.  I have a basic understanding, but I don't know the true impact of why or why not this should be done.

Sunday, August 03, 2008 11:04 AM by sharon
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