Need partition manager

Hey all.....Got a new SSD for my backups and storage of my ISO files, and want to remove the EFI and backup partitions that are on it, and add them to the main, large partition. Problem is that main partition is on the extreme right in Windows 10 Disk Management, and I can' t do it in Windows. I need a partition tool that I can use.

Why should I waste almost a gig in storage space that I can use?

I have looked for references in BC's download but only found MiniTool, which does not specify that it will actually move partitions, and has a 2017 posting date on it.

Any suggestions, hopefully on something you have used successfully?

 

With all due respect, the storage space that you will regain by merging the various Windows system partitions into one is minimal considering the total size of your new SSD, which you by the way did NOT specify.

And maybe I am old-school, but in my almost 30 years of personal computer experience with three different editions of Windows on three desktop-only computers, I have never, ever, made any customizations to my partitions and never, ever, had any issues with it either.

However, there is an article on the 15 Best Disk Partition Software for Windows 11 and 10 [2025].

The link above includes a list of the respective 3rd-party partition manager's features, but as with all software, they all have their various strenghts and weeknesses, and most, if NOT all, have a feature for moving partitions.

And even if you are adamant on what you are doing, please always first create a Disk Image backup of the entire storage drive whereon you will make changes to the partitions, so that you can easily undo all the changes if anything were to go wrong.

Good luck!

Edited by midimusicman79, 10 February 2025 - 12:12 AM.

Do you have a disc with one partition?  If so perhaps you could do it with Macrium Reflect which I believe you have.  Using the clone option -copy partitions/shrink or fit might work?

There is an article on Managing Partitions in the Image Restore and Clone Wizard - Macrium Reflect.

Good luck!

Edited by midimusicman79, 10 February 2025 - 12:01 PM.

Thanks for the replies and helpful suggestions, MM (MidiMusicman) and ZeusPaul! I will check out your references.

Actually, I have moved partitions with no problems for several years. The size of the SSD itself is irrelevant, the problem is how it is set up.

Windows, going back to XP at least (I don't remember W98 or previous versions), has always had a partition management option. Just search for "disk" and the Disk/Partition Management option pops up.

Usually the main partition is located on the far left, because Windows (for some reason) only allows partition expansion to move to the right of the main parition, not the left. For some reason, the setup on my SSD's has the main partition on the extreme right, so I cannot merge the blank partitions (on the left) into the main. Thanks Microsoft.

The trial version of EaseUS will do it, but I don't want to purchase their retail version, use it once or twice and not use it again for years.

 

**Note these two SSDs will be used only for storing Image backup files from Macrium Reflect. They will never have an OS on them.

@ZeusPaul.....Macrium Reflect will not edit partitions, and (as you said) I want one big partition for max storage.

Thanks again, I will post what I discover.

You are welcome, ranchhand_!

What are these blank partitions? Right click the Windows icon and select Disk Management. Take a screenshot and post it.

 

The EFI partition needs to be separate as the UEFI firmware looks for the GUID of the EFI partition at boot.

Edited by JohnC_21, 10 February 2025 - 10:28 AM.

There is an article on How to Take a Screenshot on Windows 10.

 

There is also an article on Attaching Files to Posts On BleepingComputer.

 

Good luck!

And if I may ask: Did you maybe manage to resolve your issue with the EaseUS Partition Master Free, or NOT?

Thank you!

Hey again, MM and guys, and thanks for asking.

The only "issue" I had with Easus is that it is not free. Yes, Easus can do what I want easily, but their demo download goes to a certain point where it is ready to execute and then a payment screen appears.

I did what I wanted with my two HDDs and for years I had (mostly) the entire HDD space to store on. See screenshot below: note that the EFI and reserved partitions are gone.

 HDD Backup Drive.jpg   86.75KB   0 downloads

 

 

I want to do the same to my SSD, to be used for BACKUPS ONLY, NO OS on it. Notice that I cannot merge the two unneeded partitions with the main partition on the far right...Windows won't let you do it. For now I will use it as-is, I don't have the time right now to spend researching software that will do it.

 

We learn by doing and experimenting; these SSDs I have will never have an OS on them, so I learned a lot by doing. How can I damage them? I can always re-format using my Windows installation disk and return them to normal disks if I ever want to.

 

[EDIT]:  Ok, annoying problem. I tried 3 times to add a 2nd screenshot of my SSD and the forum will not do it. Cancels the attempted post. So...I am adding this screenshot to a reply to myself, so you can see it. I hope this works.....

Edited by ranchhand_, 10 February 2025 - 05:17 PM.

 SSD Backup Drive.jpg   66.85KB   1 downloads

I hope this goes through....I am trying to do the same with my SSDs and Windows won't do it. Screenshot of SSD.

Edited by ranchhand_, 10 February 2025 - 05:15 PM.

Assuming this is a Windows boot SSD those partitions are entirely normal and required. As I previously posted you need the EFI partition in order to boot on UEFI firmware. The other is the Windows Recovery Partition which holds the Windows Recovery Environment (Windows RE). Normally this partition is now at the end of the drive instead of the beginning.

 

https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-hardware/manufacture/desktop/windows-recovery-environment--windows-re--technical-reference?view=windows-11

Hi John, thanks for replying...yes, I know all that. Remember...I will never use these for an OS, so I am not concerned about removing EFI or the FAT32 partitions. Like my HDDs (see screen shot above), these will be dedicated storage for image files only, same as my HDDs which I have been using for years. I want SSDs because they are a lot faster. 

So are you saying you want to delete the two partitions and keep the backup partition then extend the backup partition, correct?

 

You can do that with a live linux distro using Gparted.

 

I haven't used it but I believe Disk Genius will let you do the job.

 

https://www.diskgenius.com/free.php

 

Version comparison

 

https://www.diskgenius.com/editions.php

Yes, you are correct.

Heyyy John, sounds good. Soon as I get some time I will try Diskgenius.  I tried Paragon, they advertised that it would merge partitions, then further down they said it would not (??). Anyway, I could not get it to work.

I will get back soon as I try diskgenius.

Thanks again....