How to Extend C Drive in Windows 10? [3 Effective Methods]

When the C drive (system partition) runs out of space, becomes full, or you receive a low disk space warning on Windows 10, and hardware upgrades are not an option, here's a real scenario from the Microsoft Community:

The problem of how to extend C drive in Windows 10 might be bothering you right now. This article will introduce how to extend partitions, especially to increase the size of the C drive in Windows 10 successfully.

Resize/Extend C drive in Windows 10/8/7

Method 1: Extend C Drive in Windows 10 with Partition Manager Software Tools

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• Difficulty Level: Easiest
• Suitable for: Windows beginners and professionals
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For users seeking a professional and user-friendly method to extend the C drive, tools Partition Master Professional is the ideal choice. As a magical partition tool, tools Partition Master is a comprehensive hard disk partition management software that you won't want to miss. Additionally, it flawlessly operates with hardware, including RAID, and is compatible with all Windows Operating Systems.

Please provide the list of languages you'd like translated into English, and I'll do my best to assist you.

Your data is entirely secure throughout all processes. Now, let's explore how to expand the C drive volume in Windows 10:

Tutorial 1: Smartly Extend C Drive with Low Disk Space Error

Step 1. Click "Adjust with 1-Click" to extend C drive.

When your C drive is out of space, hover your mouse over the C drive, and you'll see the Low Disk Space alert on the Partition Master tool. Click "Adjust with 1-Click" to extend it.

Step 2. Click "OK" to extend C drive automatically.

By clicking “OK”, Partition Master will automatically allocate space to your C drive to solve the low space issue.

Optional: You can also click "Manual Adjustment" to extend C drive manually.

When switching to Manual Adjust, select the C drive and drag the dots to the right to add more space to the C drive. Click “OK” to confirm.

Step 3. Confirm to fix low disk space on the C drive

Click the "Execute Task" button in the top right corner, and then hit "Apply" to initiate all pending actions.

Got it? This utility can assist in efficiently extending the system partition in Windows 10. Share this article to inform more users about this tool.

Tutorial 2: Extend C Drive with or without Adjacent Unallocated Space

Option 1: Extend the System C drive with unallocated space

1. Right-click on the System C: drive and select "Resize/Move". 2. Drag the system partition end into the unallocated space to add it to the C: drive, then click "OK". 3. Click "Execute Task" and "Apply" to perform the operations and expand the C drive.

Option 2. Extend System C drive without unallocated space This option refers to expanding the System C drive (typically the primary partition where the operating system is installed) even when there is no contiguous unallocated space available on the hard disk. In this scenario, you would need third-party software or specialized tools provided by the operating system to move and merge partitions in order to free up space for the C drive expansion. For example, in Windows, you can use the "Disk Management" utility with the "Extend Volume" feature, but only if there's a neighboring partition that can be shrunk to create unallocated space. If not, you'll have to rely on third-party disk management tools.

1. 1. Right-click on a large partition with sufficient free space on the system disk, and select "Allocate Space."
2. 2. In the "Allocate Space From (*) To" section, select the system drive, then drag the end of the System C drive into the unallocated space. Click "OK" to confirm.
3. 3. Click "Execute Task." This will display the pending operations. Click "Apply" to save the changes and extend the C drive.

0:00-0:26 Extend the System Drive with Unallocated Space; 0:27-0:58 Extend the System Drive without Unallocated Space.

Here are the translations for the provided sentences: 1.
1. The program may prompt a window requesting you to restart your computer after performing the operation. Follow the software's instructions.
2.
2. Your computer will restart with an expanded System C drive, resulting in improved performance on your Windows 11/10 PC.

If you're encountering a similar issue on Windows 11, Windows 8, or Windows 7, don't worry. Follow the respective tutorial guide below to successfully increase the local disk C space on your PC:

Bonus Tip: Extend C Drive with Another Hard Drive/SSD Bonus Tip: Expand the C Drive using another Hard Drive/Solid State Drive

If you have only one system C drive on your disk that is currently full, but you have acquired a second drive with substantial free space, don't worry. You can utilize a tool called Partition Master and its "Extend with 2nd Disk" feature to assist you. Follow this guide for guidance:

How do you extend C Drive with another disk?

How to expand the C drive from another HDD or SSD? Follow the complete guide below, and you'll easily solve the issue of the SSD C drive being full.

In addition to helping you extend system partition, this software lets you enjoy all its powerful features, such as:

• Move space from D to C
• Hide and Unhide partitions
• Resize and Move partitions
• Create, Delete, and Format partition
• Copy Partition/Disk
• Wipe and Erase the hard drive

Method 2: Extend C Drive in Windows 10 via Disk Management

Here are the translations in English:
• Difficulty Level: Medium
• Suitable for: Users experienced with Windows

There must be unallocated space behind the partition you want to expand using Windows' built-in Disk Management utility. Otherwise, you might find that the Extend Volume option is grayed out and unavailable.

Assuming you have contiguous unallocated space next to the C drive, here's how to extend the C drive in Windows 10 using Disk Management: 1. **Open Disk Management**: Press `Win + X` on your keyboard and choose 'Disk Management' from the menu, or right-click the Start button and select 'Disk Management'. 2. **Find the Unallocated Space**: In the Disk Management window, look for the unallocated space, which should be right next to the C drive (usually labeled as Drive 0 Partition x). 3. **Right-click the C Drive**: Click on the C drive (the one you want to extend) and select 'Extend Volume' from the context menu. 4. **Start the Extend Volume Wizard**: A wizard will pop up. Click 'Next' to proceed. 5. **Select the Unallocated Space**: The wizard should automatically select the contiguous unallocated space. If not, use the 'Next' button to choose it manually. 6. **Choose the Amount of Space**: You can choose to extend the volume using all available unallocated space or specify a custom size. It's recommended to use all the space for optimal performance. 7. **Finish the Wizard**: Click 'Next' and then 'Finish' to start the process of extending the C drive. 8. **Wait for the Process to Complete**: The system will now resize the partition, which may take a few minutes depending on the amount of data being moved. 9. **Verify the Extension**: Once done, check that the C drive has been extended by looking at its new size in the Disk Management window. That's it! Your C drive should now be larger, and you'll have more space for files and applications.

Step 1. Press the Windows + R keys simultaneously to open the Run dialog.

Step 2. Type diskmgmt.msc and press Enter to open the Disk Management utility.

You can also right-click This PC and choose "Manage -> Storage -> Disk Management".

Step 3. Right-click on the C drive and select "Extend Volume".

Step 4. Assign more space to the C drive and click "Next" to proceed.

Step 5. Click "Finish" to complete the process.

Note that if the unallocated space is not behind the C drive, you can revert to Method 1 and apply Partition Master for assistance.

?Read Also: How to Fix Cannot Extend Volume

Method 3: Extend C Drive Volume in Windows 10 via CMD

Translate the following into English:
• Difficulty Level: Medium
• Suitable for: Experienced Windows users and professionals

There is another utility called Diskpart that also allows you to manage your local disks and partitions. The Windows Command Prompt functions similarly to the Disk Management tool. However, it's crucial to note that inexperienced users should proceed with caution, as a small mistake can potentially harm the entire hard drive. To extend the volume of the C drive using CMD, you first need to create unallocated space adjacent to the C drive. Then, follow these steps: 1. Press `Win + X` on your keyboard and choose `Command Prompt (Admin)` or `Windows PowerShell (Admin)` to open an elevated command prompt. 2. Type `diskpart` and press Enter to launch the Diskpart utility. 3. Type `list disk` and press Enter to view all available disks. 4. Identify the disk number containing your C drive (usually Disk 0) and type `select disk [disk number]`, replacing `[disk number]` with the actual number. 5. Type `list partition` and press Enter to view the partitions on the selected disk. 6. Identify the partition you want to shrink (not the C drive) and its number. Then, type `select partition [partition number]`, replacing `[partition number]` with the actual number. 7. Type `shrink desired=[size in MB]` and press Enter to shrink the partition, creating unallocated space. Replace `[size in MB]` with the amount of space you want to remove, in megabytes. 8. Once the shrinking process is complete, type `list partition` again to confirm the unallocated space next to the C drive. 9. Type `select partition 1` (assuming the C drive is Partition 1; if not, select the correct partition). 10. Type `extend` and press Enter to extend the C drive into the unallocated space. After completing these steps, your C drive should have more space. Remember, always exercise caution when working with system partitions.

Step 1. Press the Windows + X keys and select "Command Prompt (Admin)".

Step 2. Type the following commands, pressing the "Enter" key after each one:

diskpart
list volume
select volume x (x refers to the C drive number)
extend size=number (where number is the size in MB to extend the C drive)

If there is no unallocated space available, you won't be able to extend the C drive in Windows 11/10 using this method. Follow along and learn how to address this issue:

Can't Extend C Drive in Windows 11? Here's Why and How-to Fix

When you encounter the issue of not being able to extend the C drive in Windows 11 or older systems, stay calm and follow the solutions on this page for assistance.

Bonus Tip: Upgrade Windows 10 OS Disk to a Larger Hard Drive, No Data Loss

Cloning your current drive and replacing it with a larger one can also resolve your issue. You have two options to accomplish this:

#1. Migrate Windows 10 to a New HDD/SSD Without Reinstalling the OS

If you don't want to migrate other data on the C drive, you can only migrate the Windows operating system to a new drive with the help of tools like Partition Master.

Video Tutorial: How to Migrate OS from HDD to SSD

#2. Upgrade the Windows 10 OS Disk to a Larger HDD/SSD

To replace both the system and data on the entire C drive, you can use a tool like Partition Master to clone the drive. This feature enables you to effortlessly and swiftly transfer your system and data to an SSD or HDD. Here are the steps to clone your drive: 1. Download and install Partition Master on your computer. 2. Launch the software and select the source drive (C drive) that you want to clone. 3. Choose a destination drive, which can be an SSD or HDD. Ensure it has enough space to accommodate all the data from the C drive. 4. Select the "Clone" or "Disk Copy" option within Partition Master. 5. In the cloning options, you may choose either a "sector-by-sector copy" (slower but more thorough) or a "quick clone" (faster, only copies used sectors). 6. Review the settings and confirm that the source and destination drives are correct. 7. Click "Start" to initiate the cloning process. This may take some time, depending on the size of your data and the speed of your drives. 8. Once the cloning is complete, shut down your computer. 9. Disconnect the original C drive and connect the cloned drive to the computer. 10. Boot your computer from the cloned drive. You may need to change the boot order in your BIOS settings if necessary. 11. After successful booting, ensure everything is functioning properly, and you can safely dispose of the original C drive if desired. Remember that cloning a drive does not automatically make the cloned drive the new boot drive. You might need to configure your BIOS settings to boot from the new drive.

Step 1. Select the source disk.

1. Click "Clone" from the left menu. Select "Clone OS Disk" or "Clone Data Disk" and click "Next". 2. Choose the source disk and click "Next".

Step 2. Select the target disk.

• Select the desired HDD/SSD as your destination and click "Next" to proceed.
• Read the Warning message and confirm by clicking the "Yes" button.

Step 3. View the disk layout and edit the target disk partition size.

Then click “Continue” when the program warns it will wipe out all data on the target disk. (If you have valuable data on the target disk, back up it in advance.)

Here, you can choose to "Autofit the disk," "Clone as source," or "Edit disk layout" to customize your disk configuration. (Select the last option if you want to allocate more space to the C drive.)

Step 4. Click "Start" to begin the disk cloning process.

Also Read: How to Partition a Hard Drive in Windows 11/10

Other Tips to Extend the Volume of C Drive in Windows 10

Aside from these solutions, you might also inquire about a method to expand the volume of the C drive in Windows 10, either with or without software. In this case, you can learn additional tips to minimize the chances of a full C drive and resize the C drive.

1. Separate OS and personal data: Move personal data to a non-system partition. 2. Merge partition to C drive: Combine used or empty partition with the C drive. 3. Run Disk Cleanup: Clean up junk and temporary files to free up space on the C drive. 4. Empty Recycle Bin: The contents of the Recycle Bin take up space on the C drive, and when you empty it, you can free up some disk space. 5. Move the program to another drive: Transfer programs from the C drive to the D drive or other partitions to free up space on the C drive.

Conclusion

In this article, we outlined three reliable methods to extend the C drive. We also offered a bonus tip and practical suggestions to assist users in increasing the size of the C drive in Windows 10. Should you wish to resize your system partition, download the Partition Master tool and proceed with the outlined methods.

Related FAQ on How to Extend C Drive in Windows 10: Frequently Asked Questions on Expanding the C Drive in Windows 10: 1. **What is the process of extending the C drive in Windows 10?** - In Windows 10, you can extend the C drive using the built-in Disk Management tool. First, right-click the Start button and select "Disk Management." Locate the C drive (usually labeled as "OS" or "Primary"), and check if there's an unallocated space next to it. If yes, right-click the unallocated space and choose "Extend Volume." Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the process. 2. **Why can't I extend my C drive in Windows 10?** - If you can't extend the C drive, it might be because there's no unallocated space adjacent to it, or the neighboring partition is not owned by the system. You may need to shrink another partition to create unallocated space or use third-party disk management software. 3. **How do I free up space on the C drive without losing data?** - To free up space, delete unnecessary files, remove temporary files, uninstall unused programs, move files to another drive, or compress files. Use the built-in "Storage Sense" feature in Settings to automatically clean up old files. 4. **Can I extend the C drive using a USB drive?** - No, you cannot directly extend the C drive using a USB drive. However, you can temporarily transfer files from your C drive to the USB drive to free up space, then move them back after extending the C drive. 5. **Is it safe to extend the C drive in Windows 10?** - Yes, extending the C drive using the built-in Disk Management tool is generally safe. However, always ensure you have a backup of important data before making any significant changes to your partitions. 6. **Are there any alternative tools to extend the C drive in Windows 10?** - Yes, third-party disk management utilities like tools Partition Master, MiniTool Partition Wizard, and AOMEI Partition Assistant provide more advanced options for resizing and managing partitions. 7. **Can I extend the C drive while Windows is running?** - Yes, you can extend the C drive in Windows 10 without needing to restart your computer, provided you're using the built-in Disk Management tool or a compatible third-party application. 8. **Is it possible to extend the C drive across multiple disks?** - No, the built-in Windows Disk Management tool doesn't support spanning a volume across multiple physical disks. You would need to use a software RAID solution or a third-party tool for this purpose.

Aside from inquiries about extending the C drive, some people have also asked related questions. Here are a few examples:

Yes, you can. You can utilize third-party software, such as Disk Management or Diskpart, to easily expand your C drive in Windows 11/10. Among these options, I would recommend using a partition software tool. It allows for easy and quick expansion of any drive.

**2. Can I extend C drive from D?** Yes, you can extend the C drive by using the free space from the D drive. This process typically involves using a disk management tool. Here's a brief guide on how to do it in Windows: 1. **Open Disk Management:** - Press `Win + X` and choose 'Disk Management' or right-click on the Start button and select 'Disk Management'. 2. **Shrink the D Drive:** - Right-click on the D drive and select 'Shrink Volume'. Follow the prompts to shrink the D drive, creating unallocated space. - Make sure there's enough free space on the D drive to allocate to C. 3. **Extend the C Drive:** - Right-click on the C drive and choose 'Extend Volume'. - In the Extend Volume Wizard, follow the steps to add the unallocated space to the C drive. Please note that these steps may vary depending on your operating system version. If you're using a different OS like macOS or Linux, the process will be different. Additionally, third-party partition tools like tools Partition Master or MiniTool Partition Wizard might provide an easier interface for this operation.

Yes, of course. You can expand the C drive by utilizing unallocated space from the D drive. Here's how to proceed:

Translate the following text into English:
1. Open Disk Management, right-click on the D drive, and select "Shrink Volume."
2. Specify the amount of unallocated space you want to shrink from the D drive and click "Shrink."
3. Click "OK."
4. Right-click on the C drive and select "Extend Volume."
5. Choose to add the created unallocated space to the D drive, and click "OK."

3. Why is the "Extend the volume" option grayed out in Windows 11/10/8.1/7?

When using Disk Management to increase the C drive space, right-click "Computer" and select "Manage" to access it. Then, enter "Disk Management." If the "Extend Volume" option appears grayed out on your computer, it means there is no unallocated space on your hard disk.

4. How do you add space to the C drive? To add space to the C drive, you can follow these steps: 1. **Check for available space on other drives**: First, ensure that you have enough free space on another drive (e.g., D drive or any external storage) to transfer some data. 2. **Shrink another partition**: Use the built-in Windows tool called "Disk Management" to shrink an adjacent partition that has extra space. Here's how: - Press `Win + X` and choose "Disk Management" from the menu. - Right-click on the partition with extra space and select "Shrink Volume." - Follow the prompts to reduce the size of the partition, creating unallocated space. 3. **Extend the C drive**: Now, you can extend the C drive into the unallocated space: - In Disk Management, right-click on the C drive and select "Extend Volume." - In the Extend Volume Wizard, follow the steps to allocate all the unallocated space to the C drive. For macOS users: 1. **Backup your data**: Before making any changes, it's recommended to backup your important files. 2. **Use Disk Utility**: Open "Disk Utility" (found in Applications > Utilities). 3. **Resize the partition**: Select the volume you want to resize (not the physical disk), then click the "Resize" button. - Drag the resize handle to increase the size of the C drive (usually named "Macintosh HD") and decrease the size of the other volume. - Make sure there's enough free space on the other volume to move data. 4. **Move data**: After resizing, manually move files from the smaller partition to the C drive. Note: The exact process might vary depending on your operating system version. Always be cautious when manipulating disk partitions, as it can lead to data loss if not done correctly.

1. Launch the tool Partition Master. 2. Right-click on the System C: drive and choose "Resize/Move". 3. Drag the system partition's end into the unallocated space. 4. Click "Apply" to execute the changes and expand the C drive.