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Cannot shrink partition in Vista!
Cannot shrink partition in Vista!
I am trying to create a new partition in Vista to reload XP (never should have deleted in the first place). Problem is, when I try to shrink the partition size, it will only allow me to shrink it by 1GB. The drive I am trying to shrink has 45GB of available space. Furthermore, I have defragged the volume, deleted all shadow copies, and ensured that no pagefiles are stored on the volume that I am trying to shrink. I’ve been trying to use the built in Vista partitioning utility, but after that didn’t work, I moved on to Acronis Disk Director (which gave the same error). Anyone have any clue of how to fix this? Thanks a ton.
All Replies
- Anyone...anyone?
- Did you solve this problem? I am stuck as well. 35GB free but can only shrink by 48MB. I turned off pagefiles, crash dumps, hibernation, restore points to no effect.
- Did you guys solve this problem? I'm having the same issue. Please let me know if you fixed it and how.
Thanks There has been no update since to this orignal post? Please advise as I have the same issue and it would be very helpful to have a solution provided.
Thanks
- Proposed As Answer byAndy SongMSFT, ModeratorFriday, October 30, 2009 8:56 AM
Have you tried to shrink the partition in cmd?
cmd.exe
-diskpart
-shrink querymax
-shrink desired=(size in MB) minimum=(size in MB)
- Same issue here. Its only allowing me 173MB but 15GB are free! I assume it has something to do with fragmented data on the drive, but I've run defrag and no change.
- Having the exact same issue here. Have disabled pagefile and System restore. Still no luck. It even tells me I can shrink up to 24GB, but I'm only trying for 9GB. I get an error every time and it asks me to restart. What a pain!
- Once again I have been disappointed by MS. Diskpart Shrink only works sometimes and when it does, it doesn't want to shrink by the requested amount. Something that is free, reliable and works every time is the Linux Gparted Live CD. Very easy to use!
- Thats a bit vague but I worked through it
1. go to start bar and type cmd into field
2. select cmd icon and run as administrator
3. Commands in order are:
cd c:\
diskpart
select disk=0
select partition=1
shrink querymax
shrink desired=(MB) minimum=(MB)
Unfortunately, this did not fix my error.... heres what happened:
*launch cmd as admin*
**************************************
Setting SDK environment relative to C:\Program Files\Microsoft SDKs\Windows\v6.0
.
Targeting Windows Vista x86 DEBUG
C:\Windows\system32>diskpart
Microsoft DiskPart version 6.0.6000
Copyright (C) 1999-2007 Microsoft Corporation.
On computer: TACHIKOMA
DISKPART> list disk
Disk ### Status Size Free Dyn Gpt
-------- ---------- ------- ------- --- ---
Disk 0 Online 186 GB 504 KB
DISKPART> list partition
There is no disk selected to list partitions.
Select a disk and try again.
DISKPART> list volume
Volume ### Ltr Label Fs Type Size Status Info
---------- --- ----------- ----- ---------- ------- --------- --------
Volume 0 F DVD-ROM 0 B No Media
Volume 1 E SIMCITY4 CDFS DVD-ROM 557 MB Healthy
Volume 2 C NTFS Partition 178 GB Healthy System
Volume 3 D HP_RECOVERY NTFS Partition 6747 MB Healthy
Volume 4 B XP NTFS Partition 1812 MB Healthy
DISKPART> select disk=0
Disk 0 is now the selected disk.
DISKPART> list partition
Partition ### Type Size Offset
------------- ---------------- ------- -------
Partition 1 Primary 178 GB 32 KB
Partition 2 Primary 6747 MB 178 GB
Partition 3 Primary 1812 MB 185 GB
DISKPART> select partition=1
Partition 1 is now the selected partition.
DISKPART> select volume=2
Volume 2 is the selected volume.
DISKPART> list volume
Volume ### Ltr Label Fs Type Size Status Info
---------- --- ----------- ----- ---------- ------- --------- --------
Volume 0 F DVD-ROM 0 B No Media
Volume 1 E SIMCITY4 CDFS DVD-ROM 557 MB Healthy
* Volume 2 C NTFS Partition 178 GB Healthy System
Volume 3 D HP_RECOVERY NTFS Partition 6747 MB Healthy
Volume 4 B XP NTFS Partition 1812 MB Healthy
DISKPART> list partition
Partition ### Type Size Offset
------------- ---------------- ------- -------
* Partition 1 Primary 178 GB 32 KB
Partition 2 Primary 6747 MB 178 GB
Partition 3 Primary 1812 MB 185 GB
DISKPART> list disk
Disk ### Status Size Free Dyn Gpt
-------- ---------- ------- ------- --- ---
* Disk 0 Online 186 GB 504 KB
DISKPART> shrink querymax
The maximum number of reclaimable bytes is: 46 GB
DISKPART> shrink desired=2048 minimum=1024
The specified shrink size is too large.
DISKPART>
*********************************************
So yeah........I was able to reclaim space from the HP_RECOVERY DRIVE to maky my existing XP partition but its obviously not big enough, and doesnt solve the original problem in any way shape or form.
- this worked for me:
download jkdefrag
http://www.kessels.com/JkDefrag/
run it in safe mode with
jkdefrag.exe -a 5 c:
this will put all the file at the beginning of the partition (causing some fragmentation)
then shrink the partition
then defrag the drive
the safe mode is to avoid having to much unmovable files.
(you should also consider disabling the page file)
the problem is that vista resizes the partition without moving the data, so only the largest chunk of free space at the end of the volume is shrinkable.
also, I've still not found an official(tm) way to move the beginning of the partition, only the end could be shrunk/extended- Proposed As Answer byVullnet Saturday, June 27, 2009 9:48 AM
- The following method actually works. I was in exactly the same situation as you, where I had loads of free space on my partition but any partition shrinking tools wouldn't let me shrink it by more than 78MB.
What the problem is, is that NTFS stores system files such as the MFT and other metadata on the hard drive that cannot be moved while the operating system is running. These system files are locked by the file system and are *never* moved by normal disk defragmenters. The problem is that there are some of these NTFS system files left towards the end of your hard drive, meaning that they are in the way of you shrinking your partition.
You don't need to disable hibernation, system restore or your page file for this method to work as the software that I used will defrag them all.
So, the process that I used which actually worked for me was to use JKdefrag like Lorenzo Boccaccia did, with the command line switches
jkdefrag.exe -a 5 c:
This moves all data (except NTFS system files) to the start of the hard drive so that you have as much free space at the end of the hard drive as possible.
Then, get hold of a copy of Raxco PerfectDisk 2008. This is a defragmenting program that I have found is better than any others as it actually defragments *all* NTFS system files, including those irritating ones that were stuck at the end of your hard drive. Install it, then go onto the AutoPilot tab when you have started the program, and click the button on the Ribbon to make a "One-time" scheduled defragmentation.
Fill in all of the steps as you desire, including choosing which hard drives/partitions you want to perform the operations on. When you get to the defragmentation selection, choose "Defragment files" and "Offline Defrag of system files", and then in the next section "Consolidate free space". Tick all of the boxes in the next section. Then choose a time and date in the next step for when you want the scheduled defrag to run (it doesn't actually matter as in the next section you can choose to run it immediately anyway).
Next, click the "Run Now" button to start the defrag - PerfectDisk will want to reboot your PC and it will defrag your locked NTFS system files during start-up. Once this has finished, PerfectDisk should defrag the rest of your normal files as well... mine didn't, I had to make it do it manually using Consolidate Free Space.
This moved all files to the start of the drive including NTFS system files so that shrinking the partition using diskpart.exe was successful.
Hope this helps for everyone who has had the same problem as me! - I have observed that as well. Vista is not using a couple hundred gigs, but it won't release more than 15-20 gigs.
I believe that is because, when you open Windows, it allocates some space way out there to the right, beyond a vast expanse of free space ... probably so routine operations won't be hampered in finding free space when they need it. This means whenever Windows is running, though it may see bunches of free space, it is not at the 'end' of the allocated space.
I hthink you need to boot outside of Windows (google for cute partition magic...) so that 'distant' space is not allocated, and use a non-MS partitioning facility (e.g., cute, ro something like it) to reduce the Vista partition by the amount you'd like.
Best regards,
S - Alright guys....here's a free way to move that annoying HP OS_Tools partition out of the way so you can free up more of your C: drive for a new partition!
1) Use the VISTA disk management to free up as much space as the utility can see.
2) Use a trial version of a REAL disk management utility to create another partition. I used DiskDirector from Acronis. This tool was able to move the other partition WELL out of the way but the trial version only allows you to create a 7.8 Mb partition.
3) Since the blocking files were moved successfully by the REAL management tool, the VISTA disk management utility will now be able to see more free space on the C
rive.
I was able to shrink my C: drive by an additional 50 Gb! thank you all. i got a 300 GB partition and i only could shrink it 1st time 50gb and when i reinstalled windows i could it free up to 100 gigs and now i still have a 150 gb C: partition and 80 gb of free space that i want to move to another partition. - SO i HAVE TO REINSTALL WINDOWS IN ORDER FOR THIS TO WORK???!?!?!?!?
- i did so:
1. make all posible partitions
2. make backup of all my files
3. format C:\ (root drive)
4.reinstall windows
5. make new partitions and don't touch the old one!
6.be happy jeepsterdave wrote: Alright guys....here's a free way to move that annoying HP OS_Tools partition out of the way so you can free up more of your C: drive for a new partition!
1) Use the VISTA disk management to free up as much space as the utility can see.
2) Use a trial version of a REAL disk management utility to create another partition. I used DiskDirector from Acronis. This tool was able to move the other partition WELL out of the way but the trial version only allows you to create a 7.8 Mb partition.
3) Since the blocking files were moved successfully by the REAL management tool, the VISTA disk management utility will now be able to see more free space on the Crive.
I was able to shrink my C: drive by an additional 50 Gb!THANK YOU VERY MUCH!!!
I Did this on my machine, Im Running Vista 64 Home Premium,
and it worked perfectly. At first I couldnt build a Partition over 9MB, after doing this I had almost all my free drive space to use.
I will note however, upon first re-booting after DiskDirector finished its Partition (which took 4 hours) a screen popped up stating that a windows file could not be located therefore windows cannot boot, Please insert your windows disc, reboot and choose repair my computer.
I was VERY scared I wiped out my drive completely, but after the repair with the windows install disc, everything was fine.
- Hey guys:
I did a lot of things to solve this problem but everything was unsuccessful. The last try was using a trial version of Diskdirector from Acronis but Vista hasn't allowed me to install it. It was shown the message. "The installer was interrupted before Acronis Disk Director Suite could be removed. You need restart the installer to try again." I also tried to use the diskpart to create another partion but I can only shrink 8Gb and the capacity of my hard drive is 320Gb. By the way I have a Toshiba Satellite L305-S5907. I hope to get some help here.
<!--[endif]--> - Try the Easeus Partition Manager 3.0 Home Edition. It is freeware and easy to use. It repartitioned my 1 Tb HDD to 250 Gb when Windows would only reduce it to 450Gb. Because it can take time to create these partitions, ensure your power settings are set to run indefinitely. If the power fails during the repartitioning, you will need to reinstall the OS all your apps and data.
- Thanks Lorenzo, this helped a lot. I was able to go from a silly 25mb to 81gb (on a 320gb drive with 220gb free space).
- Hi,
I have just shrink my partition without any problem :). There is a feature in Vista called Volume Shadow Copy. By default it allocates "unlimited" disk space for it and due to that you cannot use the shrink feature under the disk management console. Page file is also consuming some disk space (about 1.5x your physical RAM).
You can free up space as follows, without any other program than the Vista built in tools:
1. Run cmd.exe with elevated privileges
2. Run vssadmin list shadowstorage in the command prompt and you will be surprised how much disk space is used by it.
3. Decrease the VSS disk consumption to 1 GB (or depends on your selection but not less than 300 MB) with this command: vssadmin Resize ShadowStorage /For=C: /On=C: /MaxSize=1GB
This will resize your VSS storage to 1 GB on C drive for the C drive.
I was not using any 3rd party tool for that and worked for me.
I hope it helps.
Regards,
Janos
A train station is where a train stops. On my desk I have a workstation :)- Proposed As Answer byJános Berke Thursday, February 26, 2009 8:51 PM
- there is one other way if you have the cables.
just hook up the hard drive you wanna partition to another computer and partiton it like that but you will need eSATA cables to do that - Lorenzo Boccaccia`s method worked for me,
after 5 hours of waiting it worthed trying, i have shrinked 35GB pf 100GB free space on my PC,
Thank you Lorenzo
Geez, this thread is old. Mar 08, 2007. Still no MS solution?
These MS docs offer some insight:
How NTFS reserves space for its Master File Table (MFT)
Files Excluded by the Disk Defragmenter Tool Note: NTFS Master File table Mirror (MFTMirr) usually located in the middle of a volume
RAPID PUBLISHINGthis worked for me:
download jkdefrag
http://www.kessels.com/JkDefrag/
run it in safe mode with
jkdefrag.exe -a 5 c:
this will put all the file at the beginning of the partition (causing some fragmentation)
then shrink the partition
then defrag the drive
the safe mode is to avoid having to much unmovable files.
(you should also consider disabling the page file)
the problem is that vista resizes the partition without moving the data, so only the largest chunk of free space at the end of the volume is shrinkable.
also, I've still not found an official(tm) way to move the beginning of the partition, only the end could be shrunk/extended
Looks like since this posting, jkdefrag has changed to mydefrag so not sure if the switches still work the same... trying it anyways....
.NET Newbie- im about ready to just say forget it and wipe off vista complete and just install CentOS.... MS really frustrates me alot most times :| was really trying for a dual boot just in case...
.NET Newbie - Dont throw in the towel lol. The lorenzo fix works. I didnt even run the defrags in safe mode. I ran the first defragmenter only then went to my 150 gig partiition, and low and behold it let me shrink it 7gb more of the 150 gig i could not shrink with onboard tools. Then i ran the second defragmentor to run on reboot as explained here. Went to shrink my drive again and low and behold i could shrink my operating system drive right down to 78 gig. Perfect for me.
easiest fix i seen yet that works. Download two defragmenters, run one then the other. then shrink away. ITs just so stupid that you cant to this onboard, and have to run around looking for a darn fix.
Please not easus partition master does not work on 64bit, not the free version anyway. you have to use the paid for version, but well worth it for 30 bucks if you want to repartition etc all the time.- Proposed As Answer byPhillip Wade Tuesday, November 10, 2009 6:13 PM
- Hi allAll i did on vista x64 was to turn of System Restore and the then freed up nearly 200gig of spaceAfter i did that i was able to shrink and create a new partititon
- Proposed As Answer byPhillip Wade Tuesday, November 10, 2009 6:16 PM
