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How to merge two partitions on a SSD Disk safely

3.9K views 25 replies 4 participants last post by  Macboatmaster  
#1 ·
Hello everybody. Glad to be back again!

As my OS Partition is running out of spage (C: drive) I need to merge it with my other Partitition, the Q: drive.
Note screen dump attached. The contents on my Q: drive is not important. It has been copied to a network drive on a regular basis.
In Disk Management I can just delete the Q: Partitition. However, I am quite reluctant to do this, as I don't know the outcome of this...

Please advise me, step by stem how to merge the System C: Partition with my Q: Partition in order to add the space to my C: Partition.

Thank you for your time and help.

Best, Anders

Image
 
#2 ·
Your PC appears to have a single 120 GB (111 GB actual capacity) storage drive.

Because the capacity of that storage drive is so small, why was a Q: partition created in the first place?

You should be able to safely delete that partition (which will convert it into unallocated space), then expand the C: drive to include it.
 
#3 ·
Thank you for your fast reply.
So this is what I do:
  • Highlight the Q: Partition and then delete it (red cross)
  • But how do I expand the C: drive to include it. This part I do not kno how to do?
Please advice.
Anders

PS. I do not know why the Q: Partition was created in the first place. It was like this when I bought my Labtop from my employer....
 
#4 ·
Move the mouse arrow inside the Q: box in Disk Management, then right-click it (which will display a menu), then left-click "Delete Volume".

After you delete that 15.63 GB size partition, it should appear as unallocated space.

Next, right-click inside the C: box, then select the option to extend/expand its volume.

The maximum amount of extension/expansion space should already be selected by default.

If all goes well, the C: box should increase to about 110.55 GB in size.


If you feel uncomfortable about doing it yourself and making a mistake, ask someone who knows how to do it to help you.
 
#5 ·
I followed your advice and deleted the Q: partition. It now stands as unallocated space as you say.

Then I right click in the box of the C: partition but the option "Extend Volumen" is greyet out and inactive.

What should I do next?

BS. I did a reboot of my Labtop but that did not help either...
 
#9 ·
#8 ·
There is a partition (Disk 0, partition3) between the C: partition and the unallocated space. If I created a new partition in the unallocated space and assigned it the drive letter D: would that solve the problem. I assume the two subject partitions have to be contiguous so the unallocated space will have to be adjacent to the C: partition.
Could that solve the problem?
Will you get someone else to assist me, so I do not goof up my Windows installation?
 
#10 ·
Thanks Gr3iz,
I took on my study glasses and went on the Internet.
Found something about a blocking Recovery Partition. That is my situation.
I rebuilt the deleted Partition from a folder on my Network Drive.
So no unallocated space available. Can I move the Recovery Partition (861MB 100% Free) without doing something else in AOMEI than moving the Recovery Partition?
I am absolutely Rookie in this and I don't want to goof my Labtop doing this...
Where to move it to?
 
#11 ·
As Frank indicated, that is a VERY small drive to begin with. You really may want to consider replacing it with a larger drive.

Can I move the Recovery Partition (861MB 100% Free) without doing something else in AOMEI than moving the Recovery Partition?
I don't understand the question. Can you move it without moving it?

BTW -- Even though the Recovery Partition shows 100% free, it is not. Windows does not scan the contents of that partition, so nothing shows up there.
 
#12 ·
It is an old Labtop that I got from my back then in 2016. A Lenovo Thinkpad. It can't be upgraded to Win 11 so I just hang on to it for as long as possible.
If I should decide to replace it with a larger drive, could that be done so everything from the old drive could be cloned to a now larger SSD drive to be installed in my Lenovo Labtop?
If I have to install from scratch, I might just as well buy a new Win 11 Labtop.
What I meant was: Can I move the Recovery Partition, using AOMEI without having to delete the other 15GB Partition? Will there be space enough on the SSD disk? Or must I delete the 15GB Partition first, to make unallocated space necessary for the moving process of the Recovery Partition? Hope it makes sense to you?
 
#13 ·
If you wish to upgrade to a larger drive, you could clone the existing onto a new drive. -- A project for another time.

Ideally, you really only need 1 partition on that drive. It is too small to partition, unless you have a specific reason for it.

Make that space Unallocated again, move the Recovery Partition to the end of the drive, then expand the C drive to the extent you wish (all or part). If you expand to use all of the space, you will have a larger C drive, and only a C drive. If you wish to have a second partition for data, etc., expand the C drive as much as you want/need and then create a new partition in the remaining Unallocated space. The Recovery Partition will follow the C (and any other) partition.
 
#15 ·
#17 ·
You've got my best wishes! Make sure you've got a backup (or two) of any important data! I know you said you have it on your network. I applaud you!
 
#20 ·
Thank you for those kind words. I will download the freeware in the upcoming weekend and do the job.
BTW speaking about a new Labtop. I have a Lenovo Thinkpad T-520 and I have been most happy with it through the years. The detachable battery is easy to replace. The size is perfect. What would you recomment to replace my old T-520?
 
#22 ·
If you do decide to replace the drive with a larger capacity one the job is quite easy on that 520
All you have to remove is the battery and then unscrew the cover to the drive on the underneath side (bottom)of the laptop

Here is the service manual
0a60078_01.pdf (lenovo.com)
pages 65 to 67 on the manual
page 74 to 77 on pdf viewer

page 135 shows you the spec of drive you need

and here
Lenovo ThinkPad T520 | SSD Upgrades | Crucial UK
is a selection of larger capacity 2.5inch 7mm SSD drives

for example
The selected configuration is compatible with your ThinkPad T520.

CRUCIAL
Crucial BX500 500GB 3D NAND SATA 2.5-inch SSD
  • CT500BX500SSD1
ÂŁ39.59 Inc. Vat*

TO BE absolutely certain - go to that crucial site and
scan your computer into the system and it will guarantee absolute compatibility - although using just the Lenovo T520 and not one of the T520 variants - the list on the link above is what is shown.
 
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#26 ·
Thank you so much Macboatmaster! - you give me state-of-the-art service and support.
I have downloaded the PDF and your instructions for later use.

Again, thank you so very much!
THANK you to you for your expressed appreciation.
It is a pleasure to assist you
 
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