Extend File System

In general, we use graphical interface to shrink or extend volume from DISKMGMT.MSC [Disk Management Snap-In] . If we opt for shrink, it will provide us an unallocated space at the end of volume or partition. And in the same way if we have unallocated space at the end of volume or partition we will have an opportunity to extend the space until available space [Un-Allocated space].

We may face a challenge after we extended the volume from Graphical interface however still its not reflecting on the volume . We may see discrepancies in disk management console as partition and volumes are showing different numbers.

 

In order to understand better, lets have a scenario where we have Operating system installed on C: volume and we are running out of space , means there is only few MBs space is available . In such scenario, if we have space after the volume we can extend the volume  in order to increase the volume of C: drive . And if we don’t have free space, then  we have to create it by deleting the very next partition to create free space.

Note : There are few 3rd party applications available which provide you the freedom to use the available space on the disk to allocate or move as per your requirement . Here, we are trying not to use any other tool and achieve what is needed .

Lets see the below situation , where total disk space is of 90 GB , C: drive/ volume is of 46GB and available free space is around 1.41GB which is of concern to any production machine.

Based on the situation , we extended the C: drive by making a right click on to the volume and selecting Extend Volume Option as shown below :

Now we are at the situation as shown above mentioning here as well :-

In order to fix such discrepancies ,we will be using an in-built tool of Microsoft which is bundled in Operating system package. You need not to download or install it . We will be using DISKPART .

Open your command prompt in elevated mode or Run CMD as administrator .  And simply type diskpart .

Once you are on diskpart prompt , you may use various other switch however we will be using ” list volume ” which will give us the list of all volumes as mentioned below  :-

Our concern is related to the volume letter C: which is showing as 60 GB however under volume capacity in Diskmgmt.msc it was just showing 44.5 GB . We will first simply select the required volume in our case its Volume 1 by using command

select volume 1

and then using the command [Note : short or partial command is also used while using diskpart]

extend filesystem

Now you may close disk management console and open it again to view if its fixed or not .

Hope this will help you in saving your time and money . Happy troubleshooting .