Move Unallocated Space on Windows Server[Full Steps]

This article provides information on how to move unallocated space on a Windows Server.

How do I Move Unallocated Space in Windows Server 2022/2019/2016

Unallocated space is impliedly the portion of disk space that has no allocation to a partition on a hard drive. Any visible space on a computer hard drive that has no link to a partition is unallocated. Invariably, it means that programs and data cannot be written or saved to that space unless it becomes a part of the original disk partitions.

To aid in effective optimization and performance of the system server, it is essential to correctly add unallocated spaces to functional disk partitions on the Windows Server. The primary reason why users of Windows Server need to move unallocated space in Windows Server computers is attributable to the following:

• To extend partitions
• Adjust partition layout sequence
• Make full use of the space on a disk.

Users can create new volumes in Windows Server 2022/2019 natural Disk Management console and increase partition size with unallocated space using the "Extend Volume option." However, it is only added to the adjoining partition. In addition, Windows disk management cannot directly move unallocated space on a storage drive. The only option is to use third-party disk partitioning software to move unallocated space.

This article examines the procedures of using a third-party disk partitioning software to move unallocated space on a Windows Server. It also provides the solution to reallocating disk space when there aren't unallocated spaces available. Let's get started.

Download Free Windows Server Disk Manager Software – EaseUS Partition Master

Countless server partitioning software is advertised to be apt at extending, shrinking, and moving partitions in Windows Server 2022/2019, but using the wrong tool can result in file or partition update failure, disk parameter loss, and inability to boot Windows successfully. To avoid any system form of data loss and default, ensure your files are correctly backed up and that you use the best and safest disk partitioning software. One such software is the EaseUS Partition Master Enterprise edition.

We recommend Windows Server users download the EaseUS Partition Master Enterprise edition for ease and effective move of unallocated space on Windows Server. The EaseUS Partition Master Enterprise edition is designed with advanced technologies to optimize disk usage, secure systems, and data. It allows Windows Server users to absolutely and flexibly control their disk space as they please. It is compatible with Windows Server 2003, 2008 (R2), 2011, 2012 (R2), 2016, 2019, and 2022.

Aside from effectively moving unallocated space on disk partitions, the EaseUS Partition Master Enterprise edition is equipped with other great features that can fix almost all complex disk partition tasks in Windows Servers or computers. Some of the advanced and exquisite features of this software include:

• Resize/Move a partition
• Hide/Wipe a partition
• Merge partitions
• Format a partition
• Clone disk/partition.

To move and make effective use of unallocated space in a Windows Server, employ the below-outlined solutions. 

Move Unallocated Space to Extend a Partition

Unlike Windows Disk management that only extends partitions to the left adjacent partition, the functionalities of EaseUS Partition Master help you assign additional space to any side of the partition. It does not matter if the unallocated space is beside the partition or not; the software is embedded with the suitable feature to serve your demand fix.

Step 1. Shrink partition to free up space to extend partition.

If the hard drive has enough unallocated space to extend the target partition, jump to Step 2, and continue. If not, free up space first:

• At the Partition Manager section, right-click on a partition next to the target partition and select "Resize/Move".
• Drag the partition ends to free up space, leaving enough unallocated space behind the target partition, click "OK".

Step 2. Extend the target partition.

Right-click on the target partition you want to extend and select "Resize/Move".

Drag the target partition handle into the unallocated space to extend partition.

Step 3. Keep all changes.

Click the "Execute Task" button and click "Apply" to keep all changes.

From the preceding, it is vivid that moving unallocated space to extend a partition on a Windows Server with the EaseUS Partition Master as aid is a seamless and timely task. You need not worry about the position of the unallocated space. You can assign additional space anywhere to extend the partition with the "Resize/Move" feature.

Move and Change the Location of Unallocated Space

Sometimes, the unallocated space in partitions may be on a separate disk and require you to change their location or move the disk volume. For example, if the unallocated space is present on disk 0 while the E or D drive is on disk 1, you'll need to transfer the free space to the other partition (located on a different disk). To do this, you must convert your primary disk into a dynamic disk using the EaseUS Partition Master software and then move the unallocated space.

The process of converting a primary disk to a dynamic disk is easy:

Step 1. Select the partition next to the unallocated space, select "Resize/Move".

Step 2. Put the mouse on the partition and drag it to the left or right to move the unallocated space.

You can repeat Step 1 and 2 to move the unallocated space to the desired location.

Step 3. Click "Execute Task" and "Apply", it will execute the operations to add the unallocated space into the target partition eventually.

Bonus Tip: Reallocate Disk Space without Unallocated Space in Windows Server

Sometimes you may use up all spaces in your hard drive and have no unallocated spaces to add to the already filled partitions. When this happens, you can't create new partitions unless you clear some data off a particular partition to make space. If you're using Windows disk Management utility, the 'New Simple Volume' option will be greyed out, indicating that there isn't room to make any more partitions. However, you can still reallocate the disk space by using the EaseUS partition Master.

EaseUS Partition Master has a feature known as "Allocate Space." You can use this feature to reallocate disk space when your partitions are fully utilized in Windows Server. All required is to select a disk partition you wish to reallocate space, right-click it and select the "Allocate Space" option. Once the next prompts are followed, you would have successfully reallocated space to a disk partition.

Step 1. Select disk to adjust its layout.

On the main screen, right-click the disk and select "Adjust Disk Layout".

Step 2. Adjust the drive or partition size.

Drag the dots next to the partition head or tail to reallocate the partition size. Or, you can also drag partitions next to the unallocated space to adjust the partition position. Then, click "OK".

Step 3. Confirm to adjust disk partition size.

Click the "Execute Task" button and click "Apply" to keep all the changes. 

Conclusion

Windows built-in tools such as Disk Management cannot effectively move unallocated space on Windows Server. Therefore, reverting to third-party disk management software is essential. With the complex functions of the EaseUS Partition master outlined in this article, it's undoubtedly your best bet among other disk management software.