1

Hi all,

On our disk on a Terminal Server (Windows Server 2016) that is being used 24/7 I would like to expand the disk size.
The extend volume option is greyed out, because the unallocated space is not next to it, because a recovery partition is in between.

I read about 3rd party tools to move the recovery partition to the back, but is it also possible to do it without any 3rd party tool?

If there is no other way than a 3rd party tool: when using a 3rd party tool and moving the partition, it shows some kind of message saying “Close all other programs before continuing”. However, as there are many people logged in on the server every hour of the day, it’s not possible to close any other programs.

What would be the best to do in this case?

Thank you in advance.

11 Spice ups
2

The recovery partition needs to be moved first. AOMEI Partition Assistant can usually move the recovery partition while the system is running. Dism can be used to create an image file of the recovery partition without third party tools, create a new partition, and the restore the image file.

3

GParted, this is the way.

You will need to shut down while this happens but if the server runs out of space, you will be in a much bigger mess.

3 Spice ups
4

Delete the recovery partition and call it a day. Keeping it isn’t make much sense if you have alternative boot options like Windows installation USB or other rescue media and a solid backup.

3 Spice ups
5 
Delete the recovery partition and call it a day. Keeping it isn't make much sense if you have alternative boot options like Windows installation USB or other rescue media and a solid backup.

The recovery partition or to have the Windows Development Kit installed are usually required for backup software that uses Windows PE.

1 Spice up
6

Screenshot would have made this instant solve.

7

Hello all,

This is a Windows Server 2016 server, I tried AOMEI and other tools, but those are for Windows 10/11.
When downloading their Windows Server version, I get a trial, but when moving the partitions it will not let me apply it because I need a license.

Is there another free way to do this without having to move/delete the Recovery Partition?

ad456540-d27f-45a6-a75b-355ccc6caaf7-Partition.png
ad456540-d27f-45a6-a75b-355ccc6caaf7-Partition.png800×101 29.5 KB
8

Free or paid, your options are very limited:

  • Move the recovery partition
  • Remove the recovery partition
  • Use DISM or backup software to capture the C partition and restore it to a new disk that doesn’t have a recovery partition
9

reboot in to gparted would be my option if I had to resize it, option 2, build a 2019/2022 server move the roles/data and configure the disk to use a second non C partition for user data.

2 Spice ups
10

It is not worth the effort just for 33GB. Set the 33GB as D:\

Then try doing these 2 to “save space” in System properties.

  1. Moving page file to d:\
  • set page file in c:\ to min-max=1024 (1GB)
  • set page file in d:\ to min-max=10240 (10GB)
  1. Set Environment variable TEMP & TMP to d:\Windows\TEMP (you need to create the folder d:\windows\temp first)
  • delete contents of c:\windows\temp (you shd delete 1 time, then do a reboot then delete again)
11

Convert your disk to a dynamic one and use spanned volume to combine C: and the small partition at the end of the disk. That is a crappy option, to say at least, and I have never used it, but it seems to be the only way if you want to keep the recovery partition where it is. Otherwise, create another 33GB partition, mount it as a drive letter or NTFS volume, and move some static data there to free up your system drive (suppose that is the reason for your initial request).