How to Extend C Drive from D Drive

Summary:

This article explains how to extend your Windows system C: drive using space from D:. It covers why Disk Management has limitations, when it can be used, and provides a step-by-step guide to safely extend C using IM-Magic Partition Resizer. It also includes FAQs to help avoid common mistakes and ensure data safety.

Contents

• Extend C Drive Using IM-Magic Partition Resizer (Recommended)
• Why Disk Management Cannot Extend C Using D (Most Cases)
• FAQ

Extend C Drive Using IM-Magic Partition Resizer (Recommended)

IM-Magic Partition Resizer is the easiest and safest method to extend the C drive because it can:

• Shrink D and make free space
• Move partitions (Disk Management cannot do this)
• Place unallocated space directly beside C
• Extend C without deleting D

Video: How to shrink D and extend C drive

Step 1 — Launch IM-Magic Partition Resizer

Install and open IM-Magic Partition Resizer Free. You will see all partitions displayed visually.

Step 2 — Shrink D: to create free space

1. Right-click D: drive.
2. Select Resize/Move.
3. Drag the left boundary of D: toward the right to shrink it.
4. This creates unallocated space on the left side of D.
5. Click OK.

Step 3 — Move partitions if needed

If there are EFI, Recovery, or OEM partitions between C and the unallocated space:

1. Right-click the partition in between.
2. Select Resize/Move.
3. Drag it to the right side. (When the cursor shows four arrows, you can drag it right side)
4. Repeat until the unallocated space touches the C drive directly.

Step 4 — Extend the C: drive

1. Right-click C: drive.
2. Select Resize/Move.
3. Drag the right boundary into the unallocated space.
4. Click OK.

Step 5 — Apply Changes

Click Apply. (Please note that all steps from one to four are virtual and will not take effect until you click the Apply Changes button in the software.)

Note: Your machine will require a reboot if any of the following occur:

• An EFI partition is involved
• The beginning part of the C drive has been modified

Also read: How to shrink drive to extend C; or extend C drive Windows 11

Why Disk Management Cannot Extend C Using D (Most Cases)

Windows Disk Management has strict limitations. It can extend C: only when:

• There is unallocated space directly to the right of C
• No other partitions like EFI, Recovery, or OEM lie between C and that space

Disk Management CANNOT do these things:

• Cannot move partitions
• Cannot use non-adjacent unallocated space
• Cannot extend C after shrinking D (because the unallocated space appears on the right of D, not next to C)

The only time Disk Management works

Disk Management can extend C using D only if you delete the entire D partition and D sits immediately next to C with no system partitions in between.

FAQ

Q: Can Disk Management extend C without deleting D?

No. Disk Management cannot move partitions, so shrinking D does not help.

Q: Will IM-Magic Partition Resizer delete my data?

Normally no. It is designed for safe resizing, but a backup is still recommended when modifying partitions.

Q: What if there is a Recovery or EFI partition between C and D?

Disk Management fails in this situation, but IM-Magic Partition Resizer can move those partitions.

Q: Is IM-Magic Partition Resizer free?

Yes, the free edition supports resizing and moving partitions.

Conclusion

The simplest method to extend the C drive using space from D without deleting D is to use IM-Magic Partition Resizer. Disk Management only works when D is deleted and located directly next to C. In most real situations, IM-Magic offers a far safer and more flexible solution.