How to Resize Partition on Windows Server 2022? (3 Ways)

Introduction

If you are struggling with and looking to extend volume on server 2022, then you must try built-in option in Windows to utilize some free space. This unallocated space helps you in extending the volume. However, if you do not have any extra space, you will find the option grayed out.

There are some methods that you can try to deal with the issue. First, try the methods below, along with practical steps to follow.

Quick Navi

• Part1: Extend volume on Windows Server 2022 [3 methods]
• Resize c drive Server 2022
• Part2: How to enable extend volume on Windows Server 2022 when it's not available

Part1: 3 Ways to Extend Volume on Server 2022

Method 1: Using Disk Management to Extend Volume Server 2022

Conditions:

Extending volume will only show up for drives under the following terms and conditions:

• The target drive is NTFS, or non fat32 c drive (cannot go with fat32 c drives)
• There is unallocated space on the right side
• The unallocated space is on the primary partition plan instead of logical drive plan (The unallocated space is shrunk from primary partitions instead of logical partitions for instance.)
• The c drive is on a drive on a GPT disk, or MBR disk less than 2TB

Windows come with a native Disk Management tool that has a graphic interface. For this reason, it becomes easy to use for a majority of users. You can extend NTFS using Disk Management using the suitable adjacent unallocated space. It means that before proceeding with an extension of the C drive, you must delete the D drive.

To resolve this purpose, you must keep in mind that the partition that has to be removed and then extended must be of the same type. If both partitions C and D are not using the same partition type Primary or Logical, extend volume will not be enabled.

For example, if the D drive was set to Primary, you can remove it smoothly to enable the extend volume for c drive which is the primary partition. Or you need to change the D drive to primary partition at first before the deletion.

Steps to Use:

Step 1: Start by tapping on ‘Win + X ’ using your keyboard, and from the list, tap on ‘Disk management’

Step 2: Now on the adjacent partition D or any other drive that is close to the c drive, make a right click and then make a selection of the ‘Delete Volume’ option.

Step 3: Now, on the C drive, make a right tap and then make a selection of ‘Extend Volume’ From the ‘Extend Volume Wizard pop-up window,’ follow the steps mentioned on the screen to finish the extending.

Extend volume not available? Resize partitions with Partition Resizer Server. (Will illustrated this tool in method3)

Method 2: Using Diskpart CMD to Extend Volume Server 2022

Windows has a built-in tool by the name of DiskPart that assists in running the command prompt. With this, you can manage many partition-related operations, such as formatting, converting, deleting, creating, extending, or even shrinking the volume, and much more.

Steps to Use:

Step 1: Start by tapping the ‘Win +R’ keys to open the Run command.

Step 2: Then type ‘diskpart’ and press the Enter key. Once you see the prompt window, type ‘?’ and tap ‘Enter.’

Step 3: Then type ‘list volume’ and tap on Enter. It will enable you to see a list of all available partitions.

Step 4: Write ‘select volume D’ and tap on Enter. Herein D is the drive letter or number available on the right of the adjacent partition.

Step 5: Write ‘delete volume’ and tap on Enter key.

Step 6: Write ‘select volume C’ and tap on Enter.

Step 7: Write ‘extend’ and tap on Enter as the final step. 

Method 3: Extend Volume with Partition Resizer Server (Shrink, move partitions without data loss)

This section covers how to extend the C drive on a server, including shrinking a large volume to create unallocated space and then extending the C drive.

Step 1: Download Parition Resizer Server, install and open it. Pick one large drive, right click the large drive, and go to option "Resize/Move"

Step 2: Move the border of the large drive from left to right and produce free space unallocated.

Step 3: Right click on C drive and settle on "Resize/Move." Extend its right side border to claim the unallocated space.

Step 4: Proceed with moving the arrows to add the unallocated volume to the C drive. Tap on the "Apply" button.

Note: If there is partition that stand in between the target drive and unallocated space, you may move partitions safely with Partition Resizer.

Also read: how to move partitions without losing data, how to resize c drive server 2022

Part2: Enable Extend Volume by Deleting the Recovery Partition

This way, you can extend volume server 2022 by deleting the recovery partition. In this process, you must create a USB recovery drive by following the required steps.

Steps to Use:

Step 1: Tap on the icon for ‘Search’; in the search box, write ‘Recovery Drive.’ Make a selection of the ‘Create a recovery drive’ option. 

Step 2: Once your tool for the recovery drive opens, select the option of ‘Back up system files to the recovery drive.’ Then make a selection of the ‘Next’ option.

Step 3: Look for a USB flash drive that matches the space requirement on the screen. Select the connected USB flash drive and tap the ‘Next’ option to continue.

Step 4: Tap on the ‘Create’ option for the beginning creation of the recovery drive.

Step 5: Once the process is finished, do not tap on the ‘Finish’ option. Select the ‘Delete the recovery partition’ option to remove the recovery partition from your device. Then, tap on the ‘Delete’ option to free up the space you used to store the image for recovery. Once you have successfully removed it, tap the ‘Finish’ option.

Option: Deleting the recovery partition by IM-Magic Partition Resizer.

Also read: How to delete or move the recovery partition on Window Server

Enable Extend Volume: Reasons Why Extend Volume Grayed Out on Server 2022

Extend volume not working? Here are some reasons that lead to the issue of extend volume server 2022 grayed out. Check them out below to enable the extend volume function.

1. If the disk has an unallocated space, but the space is unavailable on the adjacent disk. (Move unallocated space to the target drive with Partition Resizer)
2. The issue arises if the partition you want to extend has enough space, when the MBR disk has the max 2TB disk capacities. (Convert disk from MBR to GPT using Partition Resizer without losing data) 
3. The option is unavailable if space is available on your partition fat32. (the format is not RAW or NTFS).

Also read: extend volume greyed out server 2022

Final Words

When using a Windows server, you can consider the extend volume server 2022 option. It is so because if your hard drive is failing, you can reset your device to factory settings using the recovery partition. In this scenario, if you have an extended partition, it assists you with some extra space on your device. With our suggested methods, you can resolve the issue seamlessly.