Low disk space on your C drive can slow down your computer, prevent Windows updates, and make your system unstable. Many users ask: “How do I add disk space to a C drive from another drive?” This article explains whether it’s possible to take space from D, E, or F drives, the limitations of Windows Disk Management, and the easiest solution using IM-Magic Partition Resizer Free.
Windows Disk Management has strict limitations. Shrinking a volume cannot create unallocated space directly next to the C drive. The only way to extend C using Disk Management is to delete a contiguous volume immediately to the right of C, but this is only possible if no recovery, EFI, or protected partitions are in the way.
In practice:
Video: How to shrink D and extend C drive
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If D is immediately to the right of C and contains no protected partitions:
However, if D is not immediately adjacent or there is a recovery partition between C and D, Disk Management cannot extend C.
Note: Free tool IM-Magic Partition Resizer has 'Copy Disk' and 'Copy Partition' feature that can clone the whole disk or partition for backup with all data and disk properties fully cloned. Read this guide: How to copy disk for backup, or how to copy partition for backup
Note: In Partition Resizer, it allows you drag the D drive left border inward, then the unallocated space will be created at the left side of the D drive. It's the fact that Disk Management creates unallocated space right of a drive after shrinking volume.
Also read: How to shrink D to extend C
If E is not adjacent to C, Windows Disk Management cannot help. Unallocated space created from E cannot be merged with C because Windows cannot move partitions.
When F is further away, Disk Management cannot create contiguous unallocated space next to C. Even shrinking F leaves the unallocated space at the end of the disk.
IM-Magic Partition Resizer Free is the simplest and safest way to extend C drive using space from any other partition, without needing to delete volumes or risk data loss.
No. Windows cannot extend C across physical disks unless you convert to dynamic disks, which is complex and risky.
Yes, with professional tools like IM-Magic Partition Resizer. Disk Management cannot move partitions.
Because unallocated space is not contiguous to C or blocked by system/recovery partitions.
No, if using IM-Magic Partition Resizer, operations are non-destructive.
Only if unallocated space is immediately next to C. DiskPart cannot move partitions.
MBR disks have a limit of 4 primary partitions, which may complicate extensions. IM-Magic handles both MBR and GPT safely.
Always recommended. Even with safe tools, a full backup ensures no risk of data loss.
Yes, shrink operations are non-destructive with IM-Magic.
As much as the unallocated space contiguous to C. IM-Magic allows safe extension to the maximum available.
Yes, IM-Magic supports resizing system partitions without reboot in most cases.
You can free up temporary space or use IM-Magic to efficiently reallocate space from other drives.
Other partition tools exist, but IM-Magic is free, safe, and beginner-friendly.
Windows Disk Management cannot extend C by shrinking volumes; it only allows extending C if a contiguous volume is deleted immediately to the right of C and no protected partitions are in the way. IM-Magic Partition Resizer Free overcomes these limitations, allowing you to safely shrink, move, and extend partitions for low C drive space.