If you’re running low on disk space on your Windows 10 computer, you may be considering combining partitions to free up some space. Combining partitions can also help improve the overall performance of your computer. In this article, we will discuss how to combine partitions in Windows 10 using the built-in Disk Management tool.
Understanding Disk Management
Before we dive into the steps for combining partitions, it’s important to understand what Disk Management is and how it works. Disk Management is a built-in tool in Windows 10 that allows you to manage your hard drives and partitions. It allows you to create, delete, format, and resize partitions on your hard drive.
Checking for Available Space
Before combining partitions, it’s important to check if there is enough available space to do so. To do this, open Disk Management by right-clicking on the Windows Start button and selecting “Disk Management” from the menu. In the Disk Management window, you will see a list of all your partitions. Check the size of the partitions you want to combine and make sure there is enough unallocated space to accommodate the combined partition.
Combining Partitions
To combine partitions, follow these steps:
- In the Disk Management window, right-click on the first partition you want to combine and select “Delete Volume.” This will delete the partition and turn it into unallocated space.
- Right-click on the second partition you want to combine and select “Extend Volume.”
- In the Extend Volume Wizard, click “Next” and then select the unallocated space you created in step 1.
- Click “Next” and then “Finish” to complete the process.
Tips for Combining Partitions
- It’s important to note that when you combine partitions, all data on the deleted partition will be lost. Make sure to back up any important data before proceeding.
- You can only combine partitions that are next to each other. If there is a partition in between the two you want to combine, you will need to delete that partition first.
- You cannot combine the system partition (usually the C drive) with any other partition.
Alternative Methods
If you do not have enough unallocated space to combine partitions, you can also use third-party partition management software such as EaseUS Partition Master or MiniTool Partition Wizard. These tools offer more advanced features and can help you combine partitions even if they are not next to each other.
Conclusion
Combining partitions in Windows 10 can help free up space and improve the performance of your computer. By following the steps outlined in this article, you can easily combine partitions using the built-in Disk Management tool. However, if you encounter any issues or do not have enough unallocated space, you can also use third-party partition management software. Have you tried combining partitions on your Windows 10 computer? Let us know in the comments.
