How to Shrink Partition for More Space in Windows 11?

How to Shrink Partition in Windows 11?

When you need to create a new volume or increase the partition size in Windows 11, shrinking a partition becomes necessary. In most cases, this can be done directly without data loss. To guide you through this process, we present three practical solutions to shrink partitions for more space in Windows 11.

Before proceeding, make sure to back up your important data, close all applications, and stop any processes that are using the drive you want to shrink. Once everything is in order, follow the solutions below to resize your partition.

Solution 1. Shrink Partitions for More Space in Windows 11 Using Professional Software

If you are looking for a straightforward and efficient solution, AOMEI Partition Assistant might be your first choice. This professional partition software allows you to easily and flexibly adjust partition space on Windows PCs with one click. By simply dragging the dots at the head or the tail of a partition, you can resize your partition and optimize your disk layout.

Why choose AOMEI Partition Assistant?

Securely resize and manage partitions on both NTFS and FAT32 file systems.

Fully compatible with Windows 11, 10, 8, 8.1, 7, and Server editions.

Simplifies disk partition management, making it safer and more efficient.

Offers a comprehensive set of advanced features for more effective disk partition management.

Free Download
Windows 11/10/8.1/8/7

100% Secure

Here’s how to shrink a partition for more space in Windows 11 using AOMEI Partition Assistant:

Step 1. Download and install AOMEI Partition Assistant. Launch it, right-click the partition you want to shrink, and select the 1-Click Adjust Space option.

Step 2. To shrink a partition for more space, simply drag the dot at the beginning or end. For example, if you want to reduce the F: partition, drag the dot to the right. This action will shrink the F: partition and enlarge the D: partition at the same time. Then, click OK to proceed.

Step 3. After setting the desired adjustments, preview the changes in the Pending Operations window. Then click Apply > Proceed to confirm and apply the changes.

Step 4. The process will start, and you can check the progress. It might take time to finish the operation.

Step 5. Wait for the operation to be finished. Once complete, the partition sizes will have been adjusted accordingly.

Solution 2. Shrink Partitions via Disk Management

Disk Management is a built-in tool in Windows 11 used to manage and organize hard drives and other storage devices. Although it is free, its limitations make it less suitable for advanced users or complex tasks. 

Follow these steps to shrink the partition size in Windows 11 using Disk Management:

Step 1. Press Windows+R, type diskmgmt.msc, and press the Enter key.

Step 2. On the main page of Disk Management, right-click the partition you want to shrink, and then select Shrink Volume.

Step 3. In the pop-up window, set the amount of space to shrink and click Shrink.

Step 4. After shrinking, you can create a new volume or extend an existing one using the unallocated space.

Solution 3. Shrink Partitions Using CMD

In addition to Disk Management, using command lines to shrink partitions is also a good option, especially for experienced users. However, this method can be more time-consuming and less intuitive for those who are not familiar with command-line operations.

Here’s how to shrink a partition in Windows 11 via CMD:

Step 1. Press Windows+R, type cmd, and press the Enter key.

Step 2. In the pop-up window, type the following commands and press the Enter key after each one.

● diskpart

● list volume

● select volume x (Replace x with the letter of the target partition.)

● shrink desired = y (Replace y with the amount of space in MB you want to shrink.)

Step 3. Exit the window to check if your partition has been shrunk.

Why Can't I Shrink My Partition for More Space in Windows 11?

Sometimes, you may encounter limitations when attempting to shrink your partition in Windows 11. There are several common reasons why you can’t shrink your partition beyond the limit amount, including:

💡 Unmovable files, such as the pagefile, hibernation files, and system restore files, are located at the end of the partition and cannot be moved. To shrink your partition with unmovable files, consider relocating or temporarily disabling these files.
💡 Over time, your partition might have been heavily fragmented, leaving insufficient continuous free space for resizing. AOMEI Partition Assistant can help defragment partitions and hard disks, freeing up contiguous space and improving your computer's overall performance.
💡 If there is no enough free space next to the partition you want to shrink, Windows may not be able to shrink it as much as desired. In such a case, you can resize or move partitions to fix this issue.
💡 Additionally, file system errors also can prevent Windows 11 from shrinking a partition for more space. You can run a file system check to resolve this issue.

Conclusion

In this post, we have explored three effective solutions to shrink partitions for more space in Windows 11. Among them, AOMEI Partition Assistant stands out as the preferred choice for most users because of its user-friendly design and greater flexibility.

Additionally, this professional tool offers many advanced features not supported by other solutions, such as adjusting unallocated space, merging partitions, and cloning disks. These features simplify disk management, making it safer and more efficient than ever.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Is it safe to shrink a partition in Windows 11?

Yes, shrinking a partition is generally safe, as long as you use the right tools and follow the proper steps. However, it’s always advised to back up important data beforehand in case any unexpected errors occur.

❓ Can I shrink my system partition?

While it is possible, it’s not recommended to do that. The system partition contains critical files, and improper modifications could lead to serious issues or system instability.