Quite often, many users need to change the size of their hard disk partitions, which may be due to the unreasonably large or small volumes set for the hard drive initially. In terms of the actions taken, either an increase or a decrease in volume is used. You can change the disk size in Windows 10 using several methods, using both your own system tools and programs from third-party developers. Further, it is proposed to consider several options for the operations that will be simple enough for ordinary users to understand and put them into practice. But first, let's decide on some important aspects in choosing the optimal size for the system partition (if you do not know this, some actions will be completely meaningless).
The nuances of choosing the size of the system partition
As for setting the optimal volume for the system partition, which contains all the files and directories of Windows itself, relying on the default values is not always advisable. Usually, experts recommend proceeding from the total size of all installed or installed Windows components, and at least 10-15% of the total space should always be kept as unallocated disk space. But do not forget that in the system section you will install your own programs, so it’s additionally better to free another 5-10 percent.
Thus, the minimum disk size in Windows 10 will include system components that will occupy about 4/5 of the total space, and 1/5 will remain unoccupied. This is necessary exclusively for the correct operation of the OS itself (do not forget about the created backups, the use of virtual memory with a swap file, etc.).
How to change the disk size in Windows 10 when installing the system?
Now we will pass directly to the performed actions. To begin, consider the simplest steps that you can perform at the stage of installing Windows on your own computer or laptop. Suppose you have a new hard disk or partition disk. In the first case, at one of the installation stages, you can use the tool to create a new partition. And here it’s really better to accept the use of the size suggested by the installer for the system partition.
In the second case, resizing disk partitions in Windows 10 can be done by deleting all of them, and after the appearance of unallocated space, you will need to set the partition again, specifying a different volume for the logical disk. The remaining space will be automatically attached to the system partition.
How to reduce the size of the system disk in Windows 10 with the built-in system tools?
Now let's assume that similar actions must be performed on an already installed OS. We assume that the system partition is too large and needs to be reduced. You can change the disk size in Windows 10, as well as in the eighth and tenth modifications, by using the system’s own tools in the form of disk management tools. It is easiest to call it from the Run console by running diskmgmt.msc.
In the main window, through the PCM on the system partition, select the volume compression item, after which it will be proposed to set the size of the compressible space.
Above the specified value, setting the volume will not work, but less - without problems. After confirmation, the compression process will start, and upon its completion, unallocated space will appear among the sections. Through RMB, you already choose to create a simple volume on it, and then perform standard operations for assigning letters, volume labels, formatting, etc. In principle, you can simply follow the instructions of the "Wizard".
Volume expansion with system tools
Now let's figure out how to increase the disk size in Windows 10. For example, you need to perform such actions specifically for the system partition on which there is not enough space. Very often, a volume expansion point is inactive. In this case, you can first compress the logical partition, and after the appearance of unallocated space, select the extension (by the way, even many advanced users forget about this). It is especially worth noting that in this situation all operations will be performed without data loss.
If the data in the logical partition is of no value to you, you can delete the entire partition altogether, and then perform the expansion operations described above.
Note: all the above operations can be applied in the same way to disks included in RAID arrays (when two or more HDDs or SSDs are connected to your computer). If, for some reason, the hard drive is not visible in Windows 10 (meaning the newly connected drive is just connected), and instead of it unallocated space is displayed, most likely, you will first need to initialize the drive using the same management section disks. If you can’t even see the unallocated area, you can try to initialize at startup from bootable media created on the basis of special programs for working with disks and partitions. If this does not help, the disk will have to be checked for operability.
Recommended Actions After Partitioning
In the case of merging partitions, it is very often possible to observe a decrease in performance when accessing a system or logical partition. The reason for this phenomenon can be called only that all the information is scattered in the form of fragments.
Therefore, it is highly recommended that you defragment a partition that has been resized.
Note: for SSDs, defragmentation is contraindicated in general!
Resize a partition with automatic merge in Partition Assistant by AOMEI
Utilities for working with partitions from third-party developers look much easier. Ordinary users can recommend changing the disk size in Windows 10 through the use of the software package Partition Assistant.
If you only need to expand or contract the volume, use the option to change the section in the menu located in the lower left part of the main window, and then move the special slider to set the required volumes, then go through the standard operations with assigning letters, formatting, etc., and then confirm the execution of the specified actions several times. All of them will be executed exclusively upon rebooting the system.
Resize a disk with a new partition and merge partitions
Finally, if you need to "pinch off" part of the space by reducing the size of the partition, use the option to divide the disk into partitions.
In the same way, you can simply combine all the available sections into a single whole, using the corresponding item in the same menu. All related operations will remain the same as in the previous case, but when merging partitions, if they have the same file system, formatting can be skipped.
Note: in addition to the above application, you can use other similar software products, for example, from Acronis.