Merge partition

[Umesh-blr]

Hello, I have partitioned my hard drive into 2. Now I would like to merge the partition, that is I would like to have only one partition with C:. Can anybody help step by step how to do that?

[WAWood]

@Umesh-blr 

First off, you can't do that while booting from the hard drive because one of the partitions you want to merge is in use, so you have to boot from some external media.

Second, in OEM PCs, the boot files are normally located in their own separate partition, often known as System Reserved.  You can't merge this with the OS partition because they are usually different partition types; instead, you have to MOVE the boot files into the OS partition and then remove the boot partition.

Third, to provide any details, we need to see the structure and details of your current partition setup.  So, please write that down and post it back here.

[Umesh-blr]

Please find attached the partition information. I need to add more space to C or delete E drive. I have created the recovery drive.

[CherylG]

You can use Disk Management to merge them. If you don't have any files you don't want to lose on the E partition simply right click and choose Delete. That will leave it as Unallocated space. Next right click the C partition and choose Extend Volume, make sure you have all of unallocated space selected and click Next and Finish. It shouldn't take long to complete.

https://helpdeskgeek.com/how-to/merge-two-partitions-in-windows/

Of course if you have files on E you don't want to lose you can use 3rd party software such as EaseUS:

https://www.easeus.com/partition-manager-software/merge-c-d-drive-in-windows-10.html

[Umesh-blr]

Hi, I already tried this option but unfortunately it does not work. I could not delete drive E as the option is greyed out. After shrinking the drive E an unallocated space was created. If I want to allocate this space to C its not possible as extend volume is greyed out.

[CherylG]

Have you also tried EaseUS software in the second link I posted above?

[Umesh-blr]

But it's asking for licence. I need to buy it!

[WAWood]

@Umesh-blr 

Extend volume for C is greyed out because -- as I already told you in my response -- you can't mess with a partition that is in use, so you clearly can NOT extend the OS partition while running Windows from it.

[Umesh-blr]

@Wawood, thanks for the response. Is there any possible solution for this. I am ok if I can format the hard drive.

[Umesh-blr]

Anyway I solved this issue using a freeware "MiniTool Disk wizard". Thanks