How to extend primary partition/volume on Windows Server 2003?

Common problems of extending primary partition on Windows Server 2003

Case 1: My C drive (primary partition) is running low disk space on my 2003 server. The HD has 55GB free. I tried using DISKPART to try and extend the C drive from 12GB to 30GB, but I get an error that the volume may not be extended. Other than 3rd party software like Server Magic, is there a way to extend the system partition?

Case 2: I am not very technical and I have a small business using Windows Small Business Server 2003 R2 Standard edition. There is no disk space on C drive (also primary partition) - cannot backup data and cannot receive updates. What can I do?

I believe a lot of Windows Server 2003 users have come across the problem that primary partition which contains the operating system is running out of space. This would cause great inconvenience to their work and even disaster for the possible breakdown of server.

Extend primary partition on Windows Server 2003 with Diskpart command

Unlike the latest Windows Server 2008, Windows Server 2003 doesn't have the built-in functionality of resizing partition. So server 2003 users can't extend or shrink the partition through Disk Management like Windows Server 2008 users. To resize partitions, especially extend the system partition under Windows Server 2003 has become the headache issue.

One solution is to use Diskpart command as mentioned in case 1. It is a text-mode command line tool interpreter which enables storage objects such as disks, partitions or volumes configuration and management from a script, remote session, or direct input from a command prompt. Through Diskpart, server users can extend primary partition. However, Diskpart.exe is not an easy job for those non-experienced PC users. It requires operators to use command language to extend partitions. If the user is a stranger of computer language, how can he use Diskpart.exe to extend his server primary partition? And also if there is no unallocated space behind the system partition, you also cannot extend system partition with Diskpart command.

Extend primary partition with server partition manager software - EaseUS Partition Master

At this moment, you must really freak out for not finding a way to extend your server partition. Don't worry. Here comes another perfect solution.

To extend primary partition, especially the one containing operating system on Windows Server 2003, I strongly recommend you to use EaseUS Partition Master Server Edition, which is regarded as the best Partition Magic alternative. It manages Windows Server 2003/2008/2000 in a quick and safe way. Its core feature is to resize your server partitions no matter they are primary or logical partitions. This server partition manager software can perform basic and advanced partition operations without data loss. It also offers other powerful functions, like move/copy/merge/create/convert partitions and etc. Most importantly, EaseUS Partition Master Server can extend your primary partition no matter you have unallocated space or not. If your server has no unallocated space on the disk, this professional software can enable you to take advantage of the space of other partitions which you think is too big for use. Besides, it offers an easy-to-use interface for all levels of computer users.

Steps to extend primary partition on Windows Server 2003

The following is an instruction to extend primary partition with this wonderful server partition software.

Tips: It is important to back up the server before resizing server partition, because nothing is 100% secure.

1. Launch EaseUS Partition Master Server Edition.

2. In the picture above, partition C: is the primary partition, and there is no unallocated space behind it. So you have to first shrink a partition to get enough unallocated space and then extend partition C:

3. Make the unallocated space behind the primary partition (C: drive) and click OK.

4. Select the primary partition (C: drive), right click it and select "Resize/Move partition", drag the partition handle rightwards to extend primary partition (C: drive).

5. Apply all changes to finish extending primary partition Server 2003.

Why not try EaseUS Partition Master Server now! Optimize your Server 2003 performance immediately!

 

 

Related Articles:

• Resize a Windows Server 2003 partition with EaseUS Partition Master Server Edition
• Resize Windows Server 2003 64 bit partition
• Resize partition of Windows Server 2003 with EaseUS Partition Master Server Edition
• How to shrink Windows Server 2003 partition
• Change Windows Server 2003 partition with EaseUS Partition Master Server Edition
• Partition RAID 5 in Windows Server 2003
• How to extend dynamic system volume on Windows Server 2003?
• Server 2003 repartition dynamic disk guide - resize, clone, convert, backup the dynamic disk
• Easy and safe solution to extend SBS 2003 Server partition
• Solution about "Low Disk Space" in SBS Server
• How to increase disk space of C drive on Windows Server?

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