How to Move Unallocated Space in Windows (Step-by-Step Guide)

Running out of space on one partition like the C drive but noticing unallocated space on the same disk or another disk? This is a common issue many Windows users face. Unfortunely, Disk Management and diskpart have limitations — they can’t move unallocated space in most cases. Luckily, there’s a free and powerful tool that makes it simple: Partition Resizer.

Description: To expand your disk drive, adjacent unallocated space is vital. You may have to create unallocated space first by shrinking one large volume and move the unallocated space contigous to expand hard drive space with free tool IM-Magic Partition Resizer. 100% No data loss.

Quick Navi

• Move Unallocated Space Next to C Drive
• Move Unallocated Space from Left to Right (or Vice Versa)
• Move Unallocated Space from Disk 1 to Disk 0 (or Vice Versa)
• Can't Move Unallocated Space with Disk Management or Diskpart
• FAQs

1. Move Unallocated Space Next to C Drive Adjacent

When you delete a partition in Disk Management or shrink a partition with Partition Resizer, Windows shows it as “unallocated space.” However, you can only extend a partition into adjacent unallocated space. If the unallocated space is not next to C drive, the “Extend Volume” option is greyed out.

Why Partition Resizer? Disk Management or Diskpart cannot move unallocated space, but a third party tool Partition Resizer can move unallocated space without losing data by moving its adjacent partition and then the location of the unallocated space will be changed.

To move unallocated space next to the C drive:

• Download and install Partition Resizer (Free).
• Right-click the partition between C: and the unallocated space and choose Move/Resize.
• Drag the partition to move the unallocated space next to C drive. Click OK in each window after you have made changes. If there are several partitions that block C drive and then unallocated space, move each partition near the unallocated space one by one to finally get the unallocated adjacent to the c drive.
• Apply the changes, then extend C: into the adjacent space.

Also read: How to move unallocated space contiguous to c drive

2. Move Unallocated Space from Left to Right (or Vice Versa)

Sometimes unallocated space appears on the left of the partition you want to expand, or even on the right. Windows tools can’t move it — but Partition Resizer can.

• Step#1: Launch Partition Resizer and right-click the partition that blocks.
• Step#2: Select Move/Resize and drag to move the partition left or right, and then the unallocated space will be changed to the desired side. (Moving the unallocated space is based on moving its contiguous partition and then the location of the unallocated space will be changed from left to right or vice versa without losing data in Partition Resizer.) Click OK.
• Step#3: Click Apply to confirm and complete the operation.

Note: You must click OK in the moving partition window (step #2) to confirm the new location of the unallocated space.

3. Move Unallocated Space from Disk 1 to Disk 0 (or Vice Versa)

This is a common question: “Can I move unallocated space from disk 1 to disk 0?” Unfortunately, no tool can directly transfer unallocated space between physical drives if there is no RAID array. However, there are alternatives:

• Back up data and merge disks into a single larger disk using disk cloning or OS migration wizard in Partition Resizer. Details: How to upgrade to a larger disk
• Use Partition Resizer to resize and reorganize partitions on each disk separately. Cannot redistribute disk space accross disk without RAID.

Tip: If you need more space on C: and Disk 1 has free space, consider cloning the system to a larger drive instead.

4. Can't Move Unallocated Space with Disk Management or Diskpart

If you tried using Disk Management or diskpart and found that you can’t move unallocated space, that’s expected behavior — these tools simply don’t support partition movement. They can only extend or shrink into adjacent space.

That’s why Partition Resizer is the recommended free solution. It gives you full control over partition layout, including the ability to:

• Move unallocated space to any position on the disk.
• Merge partitions without losing data.
• Resize C drive even if unallocated space is not adjacent by merging adjacent partitions without losing data and then make it possible to claim the unallocated space in the end. Also read: how to merge partitions in one

Conclusion: The Easiest Way to Move Unallocated Space

Windows’ built-in tools are limited, but with Partition Resizer (Free), you can move unallocated space next to C drive, reposition it from left to right, and easily manage your partitions without data loss. Download it today and take full control of your disk space.

FAQ: Move Unallocated Space in Windows

Can I move unallocated space next to C drive?

Yes, but only with a third-party tool like Partition Resizer. Windows tools cannot move partitions to make unallocated space adjacent.

Can I move unallocated space from disk 1 to disk 0?

No, you cannot directly transfer unallocated space between physical disks. However, you can reorganize space on each disk or clone to a larger drive.

Why can’t I move unallocated space in Disk Management?

Disk Management doesn’t support moving partitions. It only extends or shrinks adjacent space. Use Partition Resizer to overcome this limitation.

Disk Management VS Partition Resizer

The following table compares the Windows built-in tool, Disk Management, with IM-Magic Partition Resizer, a free tool for disk management.

	Disk Management	IM-Magic Partition Resizer*
*Create Unallocated Space
Move Unallocated Space	NO
Move Partition	NO
Move System Reserved Partition	NO
Move Recovery Partition	NO
Move OEM Partition	NO
Shrink NTFS Partition
Extend NTFS C Drive	YES when right unallocated space is contiguous to C
*Extend Drive Over 2TB in MBR	NO	NO
Price	FREE	FREE
		Download Win 11-7 (100% Free) Download Win Server (Free Demo)

*Create unallocated space: Creating unallocated space can be performed by both Disk Management and Partition Resizer by shrinking a large volume or deleting a volume. (Disk Management cannot shrink a FAT32 volume.)

*Need to extend a volume over 2TB on an MBR disk? Solution: Convert the disk from MBR to GPT without losing data by using IM-Magic Partition Resizer, as GPT disks support storage capacities over 2TB. (Disk Management can only convert a disk from MBR to GPT after all volume were removed.)

*IM-Magic Partition Resizer is provided on resize-c.com.