Tutorial: How to Resize an External Hard Drive on Windows 10/11

Updated by

Sherly 

Updated on April 22, 2024

External hard drives have become indispensable for tech enthusiasts and individuals requiring compact storage for vast amounts of data. However, situations may arise where resizing an external hard drive becomes essential to cater to specific needs. For those less acquainted with technology, this task might seem daunting. But worry not, because Tools Software has got your back.

The primary objective of this article is to provide a concise introduction to external hard drives, discuss the scenarios and reasons for resizing them, and acquaint you with the most effective tools, such as Partition Master and Disk Management, for adjusting the size of your external hard drive. Let's delve into the realm of modifying external hard drives to simplify the process for you!

Resizing an external hard drive is necessary in various situations, such as:

1. When you discover that your external hard drive is running out of storage space, resizing enables you to accommodate more data and files, ensuring that you have sufficient space for your storage requirements.

2. Moreover, resizing allows you to create extra partitions on the external hard drive, improving data organization and enabling efficient data management.

3. As your storage needs change over time, resizing provides you with the flexibility to adjust the space allocation, repurpose the drive for various tasks, or cater to evolving storage demands.

Now, here we are comparing tools Partition Master and Disk Management so that you can understand which one is better for disk resizing:

As you can also see, Partition Master is a better choice for resizing external hard drives as it is easier to use, and fewer errors occur while using it.

#1 Resize External Hard Drive on Windows with Partition Master Tool If you're looking to resize an external hard drive on Windows, one popular tool you can use is the tools Partition Master. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to do it: 1. **Download and Install**: Visit the official tools website and download the Partition Master software. Install it on your Windows computer. 2. **Launch the Tool**: Double-click the downloaded executable file to launch the Partition Master application. 3. **Connect External Hard Drive**: Connect your external hard drive to your computer using a USB cable. Make sure it's recognized by Windows. 4. **Scan the Drive**: In the Partition Master interface, all the drives connected to your system will be displayed. Locate your external hard drive and ensure it's selected. 5. **Resize the Partition**: Right-click on the partition you want to resize and select "Resize/Move Partition". A graphical representation of the partition will appear. 6. **Adjust Partition Size**: Move the sliders left or right to increase or decrease the partition size. You can also manually enter the desired size in the text boxes provided. 7. **Preview Changes**: Before applying the changes, click on "Preview" to see how the new partition layout will look. 8. **Execute the Operation**: If you're satisfied with the preview, click on "Execute Operation" and then "Apply" to start the resizing process. The tool will warn you that the operation may take some time and require a reboot. 9. **Wait for Completion**: Do not interrupt the process or unplug the external hard drive while the resizing is in progress. Wait until the tool completes the task. 10. **Verify the New Size**: Once finished, check your external hard drive's properties to confirm the new size. Remember, always backup important data before making any changes to partitions to avoid potential data loss.

tools Partition Master is an efficient and user-friendly software that simplifies the process of resizing external hard disks on Windows. This program is compatible with various Windows versions, making it the ideal tool for resizing your external hard drive. It enables you to expand or shrink drive spaces effortlessly. With its assistance, you can safely modify the external hard drive's size, whether by extending volumes with available space or expanding from an unallocated partition. Best of all, this process ensures no data loss.

Guide 1. Extend Partitions on External Hard Drives

< strong > Step 1. Shrink partition to free up space for extending partition. < / strong >

If the hard drive has enough unallocated space to extend the target partition, proceed to Step 2. If not, free up some space first:

1. In the Partition Manager section, right-click on a partition adjacent to the target partition and select "Resize/Move." 2. Drag the partition ends to free up space, ensuring there is sufficient unallocated space behind the target partition. Click "OK."

Step 2. Extend the target partition.

Right-click on the target partition you wish to extend and select "Resize/Move".

Drag the target partition handle into the unallocated space to extend partition.

Step 3. Keep all changes.

Click the "Run Task" button, and then click "Apply" to save all changes.

Guide 2: Shrink Volumes on External Hard Drives

< b > Step 1: Locate and select the target partition to shrink < / b >

Go to the Partition Manager section, right-click on the partition you wish to shrink, and select "Resize/Move."

Step 2: Adjust to shrink partition

Use your mouse to drag the end of the target partition to shrink partition space.

You can also adjust the partition size box to shrink the target partition. Once done, click "OK" to continue.

Step 3: Execute operation

Click the "Execute Task" button and "Apply" to save all changes.

"Check out the following link for more information on shrink wrap:"

Here are the reasons why Partition Master is your go-to tool for resizing volumes on your external hard drive:

1. Intuitive Interface: tools Partition Master offers a user-friendly interface that enables easy navigation and confusion-free performance of resizing tasks.
2. Partitioning: This utility simplifies the process of resizing partitions on your external hard drive to accommodate your evolving storage requirements.
3. Data Protection: While resizing, tools Partition Master employs advanced algorithms to protect your data from damage and loss during the process.
4. Fast and Efficient: Equipped with optimized algorithms, tools Partition Master executes resizing tasks promptly and efficiently, sparing your precious time.
5. Preview Functionality: You can preview the resizing operation before applying any changes, allowing you to assess the potential outcome and ensure satisfaction with the results.

Download this tool today and enjoy its user-friendly interface and powerful features. Bid farewell to complicated resizing processes and embrace a hassle-free experience!

#2 Resize External Hard Drive on Windows via Disk Management

Disk Management, a built-in utility in Windows, serves as a useful tool for adjusting the size of your external hard drive. This feature-packed utility provides several functions to facilitate efficient resizing of your storage device. Using Disk Management, you can either expand or shrink the volume of your external hard drive by assigning unallocated space or reducing the existing storage capacity. This utility ensures that the file system is resized correctly without compromising the safety of your data, making file storage a breeze.

Step 1: Open Disk Management

Connect the external hard drive to your Windows computer and type "Disk Management" in the Windows search bar. Then, choose "Create and format hard disk partitions." This will launch the Disk Management tool.

Click "Create Partition" to start creating a new partition on the hard drive.

Step 2: Locate the External Hard Drive

Here, you'll see the connected storage devices and locate the external hard drive from the list. Note the available space on the drive. This will help you determine how much formatting it needs.

Step 3: Shrink or Extend the Volume

Choose "extend volume" or "shrink volume," depending on your needs. Follow the prompts to either extend or shrink the volume. Extending the volume increases the space, while shrinking it frees up space on your disk.

Occasionally, you might encounter errors at this stage; if that happens, click the links to resolve them:

Step 4: Confirm the Resize Operation

Once the process is complete, Disk Management will update the graphical representation of the external hard drive's partitions. Now, safely eject the hard drive from your computer. Verify that the external hard drive's size has been successfully adjusted by checking its properties.

Select tools Partition Master for a flawless resizing experience. Steer clear of the "Extend Volume Grayed Out" issue encountered in Disk Management. Boasting an intuitive interface and robust features, tools Partition Master is the perfect solution for resizing your external hard drive efficiently.

If you don't want to install the tool on your PC, Partition Master also provides a portable edition. Check the following page to learn more.

Top 4 Best Partition Resizer Portable Reviews: Pros and Cons

This article reviews the top 4 best portable partition resizers, highlighting their pros and cons. Keep reading to find the most suitable one for your needs.

Conclusion

In conclusion, whether you opt to resize your external hard drive using Disk Management or tools like Partition Master, both approaches offer user-friendly solutions for maximizing your storage efficiency.

However, taking into account its user-friendly interface, advanced functionalities, and impressive performance, tools Partition Master stands out as the top choice for resizing external hard drives on Windows. Its data protection measures, swift operations, and preview feature contribute to a seamless experience, making it the perfect tool for effortlessly handling and adjusting the size of your external hard drive. This software is also capable of assisting with the following tasks:

Also, don't forget to share this article with your friends if you found it helpful.

How to Resize External Hard Drive FAQs

Here are some frequently asked questions about resizing external hard drives. Feel free to refer to them for additional help.

1. Can we resize the external hard drive for free?

Yes, you can resize an external hard drive for free using Disk Management on Windows.

1. Connect your external hard drive to your computer running Windows. Follow the steps below to proceed:
2. To access Disk Management, press the Windows key, type 'Disk Management,' and choose 'Create and format hard disk partitions.'
3. Select the external hard drive you wish to resize, and decide whether you want to expand or shrink its space.

Follow the on-screen instructions to resize the partition or volume, then confirm the process. Once finished, unplug the external hard drive.

2. Why can't I resize my external hard drive?

Several common reasons could hinder you from resizing your external hard drive, such as insufficient unallocated space, unsupported file system, disk errors or corruption, and hardware limitations.

If you encounter difficulties despite checking these factors, it might be beneficial to consult technical support or seek assistance from an expert to effectively resolve the issue.

< strong > 3. How do I shrink my external hard drive? < /strong >

Here's how you can shrink your external hard drive:

1. Connect your external hard drive to your Windows computer. 2. Insert the USB cable that came with your external hard drive into one of your computer's USB ports. 3. Wait for your computer to recognize the external hard drive. This may take a few moments. 4. Click on the "Start" button in the bottom-left corner of your screen. 5. Type "File Explorer" into the search bar and press "Enter." 6. In File Explorer, look for your external hard drive listed under "This PC" or "Devices with Removable Storage." 7. Once you locate the external hard drive, double-click on it to open it. 8. You can now access and manage the files and folders stored on the external hard drive.

2. Open Disk Management and choose 'Create and format hard disk partitions.'

3. In Disk Management, locate your external hard drive and select 'Shrink Volume.'

4. Enter the amount of space you want to reduce from the total size, and then follow the on-screen instructions to complete the process.