How to Resize Partitions with Windows XP Partition Manager Software

Updated by

Sherly 

Written by

Tracy King 

Updated on Nov 28, 2024

Do you want to adjust the hard drive partition in Windows XP? For Windows XP resize partition, disk management is not an available choice because it can cause data loss. No worry. You will get a free Windows XP partition manager. 

The Original Way to Perform Hard Drive Partitioning before Windows XP Came Out

A long time ago, DOS had a feature named "Fdisk" to create, delete, set active, set primary, format partitions before you installed the system. "Fdisk" is extremely slow when you are partitioning a brand new hard drive. Usually, if you want to divide a 40G disk into four partitions, you need to use at least 20 minutes, the time of false operation is even not included.

It was the only tool to partition my hard drive before installing Windows XP several years ago when I started to use a computer.

Use Disk Management Utility for Windows XP Hard Drive Partitioning

After installing Windows XP Operating System, I turned to its built-in Disk Management utility for Windows XP hard drive partitioning. This tool contains basic partitioning functions, like formatting, creating, deleting partitions, etc. This tool can make Windows XP hard drive faster and easier than Fdisk.

However, when you want to resize the partition under Windows XP, if there is no third-party program, you need to delete two partitions and create two new partitions (or one), and then format the new partition(s). This work is especially complicated, and the most important point is you need to copy all the files from the source partition to another, for if you want to resize the partition, Windows XP will cause data loss. 

In other words, if you want to maximize the performance of your Windows XP with more advanced functions, you need a third-party partition program for Windows XP hard drive partitioning.

You also interested in backup utility to avoid data loss:

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An Easier and Safer Solution for Windows XP Hard Drive Partitioning

I once looked for a reliable solution for Windows XP hard drive partitioning on both Google.com and Download.com and finally found EaseUS Partition Master.

EaseUS Partition Master Free Edition is 100% free. My elders always tell me that there is no good bargain. However, this saying doesn't work on this software. It does an excellent job when I need to repartition my windows XP.

Step 1: Locate and select the target drive/partition

Launch EaseUS Partition Master and go to Partition Manager, select the target drive/partition to adjust its size, right-click on it and choose "Resize/Move".

Step 2: Resize or move the partition

1.To shrink the partition, simply drag one of its ends to free up unallocated space. Once done, click "OK". 

2. To extend the partition, make sure that there is unallocated space aside (if there isn't, follow the above steps to create some). In the same way, drag your mouse into the unallocated space. Click "OK".

3. To move a partition position, you need to leave unallocated space next to the target partition. If no, free up some unallocated space first.

Right-click the target partition, select "Reize/Move". Then drag the whole partition leftward or rightward to adjust its position. Click "OK" to confirm. 

Step 3: Confirm the result and apply changes

At this step, you will see the new disk partition information & diagram.

To save changes, click the "Execute Task" button and then "Apply".

This partition freeware works perfectly with hardware RAID and Windows 2000/XP/Vista/Windows 7 32/64 bit and Windows 8 Operating Systems. It not only provides a convenient user interface to simplify jobs but also enables to configure and manage partitions of the hard drives.

Yes, I used some other Windows XP hard drive partitioning software. Some of them are too complicated to resize my drives; some of them even caused data/partition loss. EaseUS Partition Master has all advantages that other partition software has. It seems that there is no disadvantage for me except that the interface is not cool enough.

This Windows XP hard drive partitioning software is a can't-miss gadget. I hope you won't miss it.