Windows 10 Merge Partitions

Merging partition in Windows 10 refers to combine two partitions into one or combine with unallocated space on hard drive to expand the available space. No matter you combine a partition or unallocated space, you can benefit from it.

For example, when you first partition hard drive, you give enough space to each partition. You store your applications, files, photos in different partitions. As time goes by, you will find the partition you store applications is running out of space, while the partition you save photos and files has enough space. This issue may happen for many Windows 10 users. Fortunately, the problem can be solving by merging two partitions into one.

Moreover, if there are a few partitions on hard drive, it is inconvenient for you to manage them. On the other hand, you store different data on so many different partitions, when you want to open one of them; you may forget where it stores.

Merge Partitions in Windows 10

There are tons of third-party partition managers for Windows, but did you know that Windows includes its own partition manager? You can use the Disk Management tool to resize, create, delete and format partitions and change their drive letters — all without downloading or paying for any other software.

Windows 10 Disk Management can help you merge partitions, but you can’t merge two partitions with the tool directly, so you must delete the partition at first and then use Extend Volume in Disk Management. What’s more this function is only available when the unallocated space is adjacent to the partition you want to operate.

Accessing Disk Management

The easiest way to open Disk Management in Windows 10 is from Desktop. Right click on Start Menu (or press Windows+X hotkey) and then select "Disk Management". Use Windows+R hotkey to open Run window. Then type "Diskmgmt.msc" and click "OK" or hit "Enter" key. You can also launch Disk Management tool is by typing "disk management" in the Search box and choose "Create and format hard disk partitions" from the results.

You’ll see a window divided into two panes. The top pane shows you a list of your partitions, referred to as volumes, and the bottom one shows you a graphical representation of your storage devices.

Resizing a Partition

Right-click a partition in either pane and select Extend Volume or Shrink Volume to resize it. Other options for manipulating partitions are also located in the right-click menu.

Extending and shrinking have some basic limitations. You can only shrink a partition if it has enough free space, and you can only extend a partition if it has unallocated space to the right of it on the same drive. You’ll see empty, unallocated space to the right of a partition if you can extend it. Windows can’t extend a basic partition to its left; you’ll need third-party software for that.

Creating a Partition

Once you’ve shrunk a partition, you can use the free space to create another one. Just right-click inside the unallocated space and select New Simple Volume.

You’ll see the New Simple Volume wizard, which guides you through setting a size for the partition, assigning a drive letter and formatting it with a file system.

Deleting a Partition

You can also right-click a partition and select Delete Volume to delete a partition and free up space. This option deletes every single file on the partition; be careful when using it!

Formatting a Partition

Use the Format option in a partition’s right-click menu to format it with a new file system and erase its contents. You’ll lose all files on the partition if you do this!

You can also format partitions by right-clicking them in Windows Explorer and selecting the Format option.

Changing Drive Letters

Right-click a partition and select Change Drive Letter and Paths to change its drive letter. Click the Change button to select a new drive letter.

You can use this dialog to assign a permanent drive letter to a removable drive or remove a partition’s drive letter and hide it.

The Disk Management tool isn’t as flashy as many third-party partition managers — in fact, it still looks like something from Windows 2000 — but it gets the job done. Many other partition managers include bootable discs; try the free GParted Live CD if you’re looking for that.