How to Move Partitions in Windows Server

Updated by

Linda 

Updated on April 22, 2024

How to move a partition in Windows Server? In the Windows Server operating system, moving a partition is typically done to adjust disk space or optimize the hard drive layout. Here's a simple step-by-step guide: 1. **Open Disk Management Tool**: - Press `Win + X` and select "Disk Management." - Alternatively, you can find it in "Control Panel" -> "System and Security" -> " Administrative Tools." 2. **Assess Disk Space**: - In the Disk Management interface, look at the partition you want to move (usually C: drive or another data drive) and the adjacent unallocated space. 3. **Create Unallocated Space**: - If there isn't enough unallocated space, you may need to shrink a larger partition first. Right-click on that partition, choose "Shrink Volume," and follow the prompts. 4. **Extend the Target Partition**: - Right-click on the partition you want to move or expand, and select "Extend Volume." - In the Extend Volume Wizard, choose the available unallocated space, then click "Next" to add it to the target partition. 5. **Confirm and Execute the Operation**: - Review your changes and click "Finish" when you're sure they're correct. The system will prompt you that these changes will take effect upon the next restart. 6. **Restart the System**: - Follow the instructions to restart your Windows Server. The system will automatically perform the partition move and expansion operation. Be cautious while performing these operations, as incorrect actions can result in data loss. It's advisable to back up important data before proceeding. If unsure, seek professional technical support.

There can be various reasons why you might want to learn how to move partitions in Windows Server. One of them is better drive management. But then, Windows Server allows the Shrink Volume and Extend Volume options. Why not just use it to shrink one drive and extend another?

That's not how it works in Windows Server. Shrinking a volume provides unallocated space, but you still have to move the partition to the end of the disk so that the Extend Volume option becomes available.

In this guide, we will learn how to move partitions in Windows Server, including how to move a volume to the end of a disk.

[[2]](#2) Moving a Partition in Windows Server with Disk Management

When we talk about partitions on a hard drive, we're referring to things like Drive C, Drive D, or Drive E, and so on. These are separate areas on the hard drive that can be further divided or combined. However, these different partition drives can get filled up and start impacting your computer's performance.

At this point, you either need to free up space or learn how to move partitions in Windows Server or extend the filled volume by using unallocated space from another partition.

This guide will walk you through the process. It's pretty straightforward and doesn't require much technical knowledge. Check out the steps to move partitions in a Windows Server using Disk Management:

1. Launch the Disk Management application.
2. Right-click on the partition drive you want to extend/move.
3. A context menu will appear. Select the Extend Volume option.

Did it work? If so, congratulations! But some of you might encounter the “Extend Volume” option being grayed out. What should you do then?

Unable to Move Partition in Server Disk Management?

If you don't see the Extend Volume option as shown in the screenshot above, don't panic. There can be several reasons for this, so it's good to know the pros and cons of using Disk Management to move partitions around in Windows Server.

Advantages of Disk Management: 1. Space Optimization: Disk management enables users to allocate and reorganize hard drive space efficiently, ensuring optimal usage. This can be achieved by deleting unnecessary files, defragmenting the disk, or adjusting partition sizes. 2. Data Security: Through disk management, system backups and image recovery can be created, providing protection against data loss or system crashes. It also helps users manage and hide sensitive information, enhancing data security. 3. Fault Diagnosis: Disk management tools assist in diagnosing and resolving hard drive issues, such as bad sector detection, error repair, and performance monitoring, allowing for early prevention of potential hardware failures. 4. Improved System Performance: By performing disk cleanup and defragmentation, computer speed and overall performance can be enhanced, as these operations contribute to maintaining a clean and efficient file system. 5. Flexible Partition Management: Disk management allows users to create, delete, format, and resize partitions to accommodate various application and data storage requirements. 6. User-Friendly Interface: Most modern disk management utilities are designed with an intuitive interface, enabling users to manage their hard drives without delving into technical details. 7. Cross-Platform Compatibility: Some disk management software supports multiple operating systems, such as Windows, Mac, and Linux, facilitating storage management across different platforms. 8. Automation: Advanced disk management tools offer automated features like scheduled cleanups and backup plans, saving users time from manual operations. In summary, disk management is crucial for maintaining a healthy computer, optimizing storage space, and safeguarding important data.

• Initialize or set up a new disk easily. • Extend a partition volume, using unallocated space on the same disk. • Change the label of a new disk. • Shrink a partition to extend another one or to create more space.

Disadvantages of Disk Management

• 1. Unallocated space must not be adjacent to the right of the drive you want to extend. Otherwise, the Extend Volume option will be inaccessible.
• 2. Disk Management in Windows Server cannot move partitions when both the target drive and the drive to be extended are within the same extended partition.
• 3. Disk Management only supports extending and shrinking NTFS partitions. Therefore, you may encounter issues when moving partitions involving a FAT32 disk.
• 4. When you click Shrink Volume, unallocated space can only be created to the right.
• 5. It does not work on operating systems older than Windows Vista. The Disk Management tool only provides Extend Volume support starting from Windows 7.

So, the fix for the "Extend Volume" option being grayed out is to move the new partition volume D to the right in Windows Server, while shifting the unallocated space to the left. Also, keep in mind that you might not be able to use the "Extend Volume" option for drives C and E on the same extended partition. In that case, you'd need to delete the initial partition and recreate it.

How to easily move a file to the end of a disk in American English:

Since the "Disk Management" utility does not provide an option to move partition, a more advanced solution is needed to move partitions in Windows Server. This would be a third-party software, such as the tools Partition Master Enterprise tool.

Although there are many other applications that can move disk partitions/volumes, this partition manager tool is safe and reliable. It easily helps to move the partition to left/right in Windows Server. It has other benefits, such as:

• Resize, split, create, hide, and even copy/delete partitions.
• Partition recovery. The tool can safely restore a partition to its previous state in case of system interruption or error.
• Reallocate free space and extend drives to address low memory issues.
• Supports Windows Server 2003, 2008 (R2), 2012 (R2), 2011, 2016, and 2019.

Most importantly, Partition Master Enterprise does all of the above with no risk of data loss. That's why it's our go-to choice for moving partitions in Windows Server.

Step 1: Locate and select the target drive/partition

Open Partition Master, go to the "Partition Management" interface, select the hard drive/partition you need to resize, right-click and choose "Resize/Move".

Step 2: Resize or Move the Partition

1. To shrink the partition, simply drag one of its endpoints to the unallocated space to free up room. When you're done, click "OK."

2. To extend a partition, you need to make sure there's unallocated space next to it (if not, create some using the steps above). Similarly, drag the mouse over the unallocated space. Click "OK."

3. To move a partition, you need unallocated space next to it. If there isn't any, free some up first.

Right-click the partition you want to move, and select “Resize/Move.” Drag the entire partition left or right to adjust its position. Click “OK” to confirm.

Step 3: Review the results and apply the changes

Here, you'll see the new disk partition information and图表.

The resized disk partition information:

To save the changes, click the Run Task button, then click Apply.

In summary

Tools like Partition Master Enterprise offer solutions on how to move partitions in Windows Server. What sets Partition Master apart, however, is its reliability and the comprehensive suite of disk management tools it brings to the table.

This means that you can enjoy features other than moving disk volumes/partitions. In addition, Partition Master has a user-friendly and intuitive interface. It eliminates the possibility of data loss and offers a 30-day free trial option, ensuring your money back guarantee while letting you experience a server disk management tool.

So, whether you are an organization, service provider, IT admin, or consultant, you can download this tool. It is compatible with Windows Server 2003/2008 (R2)/2012 (R2)/2011/2016/2019.