Moving Unallocated Space on Windows Server [Step-by-Step Guide]

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Tracy King 

Last updated on April 22, 2024

How to Move Unallocated Space in Windows Server 2022/2019/2016?

Unallocated space refers to the disk space on a hard drive that has not been assigned to any partition. On a computer's hard drive, any visible space that is not associated with a partition is considered unallocated space. This means that programs and data cannot be directly written to or saved in these areas unless they become part of the original disk partition.

To help optimize and enhance the performance of the system server effectively, it is essential to add unallocated space correctly to functional disk partitions on Windows Server. Key reasons why Windows Server users need to move unallocated space on their Windows Server computer include:

• Extended Partition
• Resizing partition layout order
• Maximizing disk space utilization

Users can create a new volume in the built-in Disk Management console on Windows Server 2022/2019 and utilize the "Extend Volume" option to increase the partition size with unallocated space. However, this method can only add unallocated space to an adjacent partition. Moreover, the Windows Disk Management tool cannot directly move unallocated space on a storage drive. The only solution is to use a third-party disk partition software to shift the unallocated space.

This article will explore how to move unallocated space using a third-party disk partition tool on Windows Server. It also offers a solution for reallocating disk space when there's no unallocated space available. Let's get started.

Download Free Disk Management Software for Windows Server – Partition Master Tool

There are countless server partition tools out there claiming expertise in resizing, shrinking, and moving partitions in Windows Server 2022/2019. However, using the wrong tool can result in failed file or partition updates, lost disk parameters, and an unsuccessful Windows startup. To avoid any data loss or system failures, make sure your files are properly backed up and use the best and safest disk partition software available. One such option is the Partition Master Enterprise edition.

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We recommend that Windows Server users download the Enterprise Edition of Partition Master tool to easily and efficiently move unallocated space on Windows Server. Partition Master Enterprise is designed with advanced technology aimed at optimizing disk usage, protecting the system, and safeguarding data. It grants Windows Server users complete flexibility to manage their disk space as needed. It's compatible with Windows Server 2003, 2008 (R2), 2011, 2012 (R2), 2016, 2019, and 2022.

In addition to effectively moving unallocated space on a disk partition, the Enterprise Edition of Partition Master comes with other remarkable features that can handle almost any complex disk partition task on a Windows server or computer. Some of its advanced and sophisticated features include:

• Resize/Move partitions
• Hide/Erasure partitions
• Merge partitions
• Format partitions
• Disk/Partition cloning

To move and utilize unallocated space on Windows Server, use the solution outlined below.

[Move Unallocated Space to Extend Partition](#2)

Unlike Windows Disk Management, which only extends partitions to the left of an adjacent partition, the Partition Master tool enables you to allocate extra space to any side of a partition. Whether the unallocated space is next to the partition or not, the software offers features tailored to meet your needs.

Step 1: Shrink the partition to free up space for expanding it.

If there's enough unallocated space on the hard drive to extend the partition, skip to Step 2. If not, free up some first:

In the "Disk Partition Manager" section, right-click on the partition next to the target one, and select "Resize/Move Partition." Drag the partition's border to release space, making sure to leave enough unallocated space behind the target partition, then click "OK."

Step 2: Extend the target partition.

Right-click the partition that you want to extend, and select “Resize/Move.”

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

Step 3: Save all changes.

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

As mentioned above, moving unallocated space with Partition Master tool to extend partition on Windows Server is a seamless and timely task. You don't need to worry about the location of unallocated space, you can allocate extra space to any position with the “Resize/Move” feature to expand the partition.

Moving and Resizing Unallocated Space

Sometimes, the unallocated space might be located on another disk, which requires you to change its location or move the disk volume. For instance, if the unallocated space is on Disk 0 and Drive E or D is on Disk 1, you need to move the free space to another partition (on a different disk). To do this, you will need to convert the primary disk to dynamic with Partition Master software and then move the unallocated space.

Converting a basic disk to a dynamic disk is straightforward:

Step 1: Select the partition that is next to unallocated space and choose "Resize/Move".

Step 2: Hover the mouse over the partition and drag it left or right to move the unallocated space.

You can repeat Steps 1 and 2 to move unallocated space to where you want it.

Hit “Proceed to Tasks” and “Apply,” and finally add the unallocated space to your target partition.

Extra Tip: Resize Volumes on Windows Server Without Unallocated Space

There may be times when you run out of space on your hard drive and there's no unallocated space to add to a full partition. When this happens, you can't create a new partition unless you free up space on one of the partitions by deleting something. If you're using the Windows Disk Management tool, the “New Simple Volume” option will be grayed out, indicating that you don't have enough room for another partition. However, you can still reallocate disk space with a tool like Partition Master.

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"Partition Master" has a feature called "Allocate Space". When your Windows server partition is fully utilized, you can use this function to reallocate disk space. Simply select the disk partition you wish to reallocate space from, right-click and choose the "Allocate Space" option. Follow the prompts that follow, and you will successfully reallocate space to your disk partition.

Step 1: Select the disk whose layout you want to adjust.

Right-click the drive on the main screen and select “Resize Partition.”

Step 2: Resize the drive or partition.

Resize the partition by dragging the partition's header or tail dot. Alternatively, you can drag an unallocated space next to a partition to adjust its position. Click “OK” when finished.

Step 3: Confirm the disk partition size adjustment

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

Conclusion

The built-in disk management tool in Windows is not effective in moving unallocated space on a Windows Server, thus requiring the assistance of a third-party disk management software. With its sophisticated features as discussed in this article, Partition Master is undoubtedly the best among other disk management software.