Windows 7 Shrink Disk Unmovable Files

When you happen to meet the 'can't shrink volume Windows 10' issue, here are the solutions you can try:

1. Windows 7 Shrink Disk Unmovable Files Free
2. Windows 7 Shrink Disk Unmovable Files Download
3. Windows 7 Shrink Disk Unmovable Files Online
4. Windows 7 Shrink Disk Unmovable Files Free

In some cases, you can relocate the file temporarily. For example, if the unmovable file is the paging file, you can use Control Panel to move it to another disk, shrink the volume, and then move the page file back to the disk. If the number of bad clusters detected by dynamic bad-cluster remapping is too high, you cannot shrink the partition. Follow the Steps in the video.Please like and subscribe.

Error: Can't Shrink Volume Windows 11/10

'Hi guys, do you know why Windows 10 cannot shrink volume? It doesn't allow me to shrink C: drive on my laptop? I want to shrink the C drive, but the Shrink button is greyed out.

Disk Management won't allow me to shrink or decrease C drive with an error message, saying that 'You cannot shrink a volume beyond the point where any unmovable files are located. See the 'defrag' event in the Application log for detailed information about the operation where it has completed.' Can you help me to fix the cannot shrink volume in Windows 10 issue? Thank you.'

Why Can't Shrink Volume in Disk Management on Windows 11/10

To fix this issue effectively, it's highly necessary to understand what causes unable to shrink C drive error. Here are the major reasons that disable you from shrinking partitions on Windows PC:

• There are unmovable files at the very end of the volume, such as the hibernation file, page files, and system volume information folder used by the System Restore.
• Not enough space for shrinking with error messages 'There is not enough space available on the disk(s) to complete this operation.'.
• Existing fragments separate files saved on the device.
• File system error causes volume, partition inaccessible, or invisible.
• Your partition type is FAT 32. Both Shrink and Extend Volume support NTFS partition only. You can't shrink FAT32 volume.

Any of the factors will lead to the cannot shrink volume Windows 10 problem. In these cases, how to shrink volume or how to shrink C drive? Don't fret. This article will learn to use a professional partition management tool to shrink volumes when Disk Management is not available. Moreover, we will also provide you effective methods to make the Shrink Volume option work again.

How to Shrink Volume with EaseUS Partition Management Tool

When you failed to shrink volume due to unmovable files or file system issues, don't worry. You can use third-party software to partition hard drive to overcome the limitation of Microsoft technology. Powerful Disk Management alternative software - EaseUS Partition Master can help you easily shrink C drive in Windows 10/8/7 with simple clicks.

Download this user-friendly disk management tool and learn how to shrink partitions with simple steps.

Step 1: Locate and select target partition to shrink

On the main window, right-click on the partition that you want to shrink and select 'Resize/Move'.

Step 2: Adjust to shrink partition

Use your mouse to drag one of its ends to shrink partition space.

You can also adjust the partition size box to shrink the target partition. Once done, click 'OK' to continue.

Step 3: Execute operation

Click the 'Execute Operation' button and 'Apply' to keep all changes.

EaseUS Partition Master makes it effortless to partition hard drives in Windows 10. Check the following video and learn to resize C drive, allocate space from one drive to another, delete partition, and more.

How to Fix Can't Shrink Volume Error So That You Can Shrink C Drive

Before you shrink partitions, you should check how much available space you have on your disk so that you can avoid not enough space error if you manually resize your partitions. If there is enough space, but you still can't shrink, take the following different solutions for different problems.

1. Convert FAT32 to NTFS to Solve FAT32 Partitions Can't Shrink Problem

The easiest and quickest way to convert FAT32 to NTFS is using EaseUS Partition Master and finish the conversion with one-click. After converting, the cannot shrink volume problem won't appear, and you can start to shrink your partitions in Disk Management.

Step 1. Install and launch EaseUS Partition Master on your computer.

Step 2. Select a FAT32 partition, right-click on it and select 'Convert to NTFS'. If you need to convert a storage device such as SD card or USB flash drive to NTFS, insert it into your PC first and repeat the previous operation.

Step 3. Click 'OK' on the pop-up dialog box to continue.

Step 4. Now the converting process will start automatically. Wait until the operation process is finished.

2. Defragment and Check Disk Error to Fix Windows Unable to Shrink Volume

Another method to fix the can't shrink volume issue in Windows 10, 8, or 7 is to defragment and check disk error.

Note:To resolve this issue, you need to sign in to Windows 10/8/7 with your administrator account.

Defragment hard drive partition Jesse french and sons piano.

Step 1. Click 'Start'> Select'File Explorer'.

Step 2. Expand This PC tree on the left pane, right-click 'Local Disk (C:)'or other partition which can't be shrunk in Windows PC.

Step 3. Select 'Properties' > Go to the 'Tools' tab and click 'Optimize' under the Optimize and defragment drive section.

Step 4. Select the system drive (C) box on the Optimize Drives box, click 'Analyze'.

Wait until Windows completes the analysis and displays the percentage of the fragmented files in the selected drive.

Check and fix disk file system errors

If the number of bad clusters detected by dynamic bad-cluster remapping is too high, you'll not be able to shrink the partition. So to perform a disk check and repair all file system errors is your next move:

Step 1. Right-click on the drive or partition, which can't be shrunk in Windows PC, and select 'Properties'.

Step 2. Go to the Tools tab, click the Check button under 'Error checking'.

Wait to let the process complete and fix the drive for file system error.

3. Disable the Unmovable Files to Fix Cannot Shrink a Volume Beyond the Point

Windows won't let you shrink the volume because there are immovable system files at the very end of the volume, like page file, hibernation file, or system volume information folder.

The fix is to temporarily disable hibernation, the Paging file, as well as the System Restore feature. Once disabled these features, restart Windows and resize (shrink) the volume using Disk Management.

Disable System Restore

Step 1. Launch systempropertiesprotection.exe from the Run dialog.

Step 2. Select the system drive and click 'Configure'.

Step 3. Click 'Disable system protection' and then click OK.

Disable hibernation file

Step 1. Click on Start, type cmd, and then right-click on Command Prompt to select 'Run as administrator'.

Step 2. Run the following command: powercfg /hibernate off. This will turn off the hibernate feature and clear the hiberfil.sys from the system drive.

Disable paging file

Step 1. Launch systempropertiesadvanced.exe from the Run dialog.

Step 2. Click the 'Advanced' tab. Under Performance, click 'Settings', click the 'Advanced' tab, then click the 'Change' button.

Step 3. Select 'No paging file', and click 'Set'.

Or you can also disable kernel memory dump.

In the same Advanced Settings, go to 'Startup and Recovery' > 'Settings'. Change the Write debugging information drop-down to 'None' to disable the kernel memory dump.

Sum Up

By following the provided methods on this page, you can effectively resolve the can't shrink volume issue on Windows 11/10. We highly recommend you try EaseUS Partition Master to manage and optimize your disk partitions to extend your computer's life and capability.

Windows 7 Shrink Disk Unmovable Files Free

Can't Shrink Volume Windows 11/10 FAQs

Here are more relevant topics about cannot shrink volume Windows 11/10. Find solutions if you also have these questions.

Why can't I shrink volume more?

Why can I not shrink my partition? There are several possible reasons:

• FAT32 partitions can't be shrank.
• Not enough free space
• File system or other error
• Unmovable files are located

How do you fix cannot shrink a volume beyond the point?

When you use the Disk Management in Windows 10 to shrink a volume, you may see an error message 'You cannot shrink a volume beyond the point where any unmovable files are located. See the 'defrag' event in the Application log for detailed information about the operation when it has completed.'.

It's usually the pagefile.sys (an unmovable file), hiberfil.sys hibernation file or System Volume Information folder used by the System Restore feature prevents you from shrinking the drive beyond a point.

To fix 'You cannot shrink a volume beyond the point' when shrinking the partition, you can try:

• Disabling System Restore.
• Disabling the hibernation feature.
• Disabling the Paging file.

How do I shrink a volume in Windows 11/10?

The simplest way to shrink a volume in Windows 10 is using EaseUS partition management software. It allows you to shrink C drive or any other partition by easy drag-and-drop.

Step 1. Open EaseUS Partition Master, right-click on the partition that you want to shrink and select 'Resize/Move'.

Step 2. You can use your mouse to drag one of its ends to shrink partition space. Or you can also adjust the partition size box to shrink the target partition. Then, click 'OK'.

Step 3. Click the 'Execute Operation' button and 'Apply' to keep all changes.

How long does it take to shrink a volume Windows 11/10?

It's very quick to shrink a partition. The amount of time it takes also depends on how much data you store in your partition.

So, you've recently purchased a new SSD and want to migrate your Windows 7 system drive over to it so you can enjoy some super fast computing action without the need to reinstall Windows and all of your favourite apps and games? Well, it's all cake and bikkies if your source partition is already smaller than the destination drive, if not, you may be in for some heady times my friend.

If your partition requires shrinking, especially if your current drive is at least twice the size of the destination drive, then you'll likely encounter the fun fact that Windows has a whole bunch of unmovable files that prevent you from shrinking the partition beyond about 50% of its current size, but it can be done.

1. You'll need to run Computer Management. In Windows Explorer right click on Computer and choose Manage (you'll probably get a UAC prompt).
2. In the tree on the left hand side click on Disk Management under Storage. Right click on the drive you'd like to shrink, and choose Shrink Volume…
3. You'll see a Querying Disk Space window. Be patient it may take a while. Once the window appears, choose how much you want to shrink the drive by in megabytes (it will default to the maximum amount).
4. Click Shrink.
5. If you want to shrink your drive further, and you know you have more free space available, there is probably an unmovable file on the drive. Follow the steps under Removing an Unmovable File below.

1. Run Computer Management.
2. In the tree on the side click on Event Viewer under Computer Management (Local) > System Tools.
3. Under Summary of Administrative Events (it may take a few seconds for its contents to appear) expand Information by clicking the [+] icon.
4. Scroll down to find 259 in the Event ID column and double click on it.
5. Under the General tab there will be a line that says – The last unmovable file appears to be: followed by a path and filename.
6. Follow the instructions below for the specific file.
7. Try shrinking your drive again. If you still can't shrink your drive as much as you'd like then go to step 1 and wash, rinse, repeat until your drive is small enough. If you can't shrink your drive at all then you've either done something wrong, or more likely I haven't provided you with the necessary instructions. If you're using an antivirus/antispyware program other than Microsoft Security Essentials you may need to uninstall it.

pagefile.sys

Windows 7 Shrink Disk Unmovable Files Download

1. In Windows Explorer right click on Computer and choose Properties.
2. In the left hand pane, click Advanced system settings.
3. In the Advanced tab under Performance click Settings…
4. In the Advanced tab under Virtual memory click Change…
5. Select the drive you want to resize from the list, then select the No paging file radio button.
6. If you have another drive available you may want to select it and choose System managed size, as having no paging file at all may cause issues if you're low on memory.

Windows.edb

This is the database used by Windows indexing service and can easily be moved to another drive.

1. Open Control Panel then click on System and Security then, under System, click on Check the Windows Experience Index then, on the blue left hand pane, click Adjust indexing options.
2. Click the Advanced button.
3. In the Index Settings tab under Index location click the Select new button.
4. Create a new folder on another drive and give it a sensible name, select your new folder and click OK.
5. Click OK, and your indexing files will now be moved to the new folder you created.

MpScanCache-0.bin

This is the cache file for Microsoft Security Essentials.

1. Uninstall Microsoft Security Essentials by going to Control Panel and clicking Uninstall a program (listed under Programs).
2. Select Microsoft Security Essentials and click the Uninstall button on the toolbar.
3. Don't forget to reinstall MSE after you've successfully shrunk your drive.

System Volume Information{xxxxxxxx-xxxx-xxxx-xxxx-xxxxxxxxxxxx}{xxxxxxxx-xxxx-xxxx-xxxx-xxxxxxxxxxxx}

This is System Restore data. You'll need to disable System Restore (aka system protection) on your drive.

1. In Windows Explorer right click on Computer and choose Properties.
2. In the left hand pane, click System protection.
3. In the System Protection tab select your drive, then click the Configure… button.
4. Select Turn off system protection.
5. Click the Delete button to remove existing restore points from your drive.
6. Click OK.

index.dat

This is an Internet Explorer history/cache file.

The Easy Way

1. Install CCleaner (which can be found at www.piriform.com/ccleaner)
2. Close any web browsers you have running and use CCleaner to clear your internet history, cache etc. Do not run Internet Explorer again otherwise it will recreate some of the files you just removed.
3. Try resizing the drive again. If you can't shrink the drive at all try The Hard Way below.

Windows 7 Shrink Disk Unmovable Files Online

The Hard Way

1. Download the Sysinternals utility called MoveFile which comes packaged with PendMoves (found at technet.microsoft.com/en-us/sysinternals/bb897556). Unzip the file to the folder of your choice. (This is a command line program that allows you to schedule a file to be moved or deleted the next time you restart your computer.)
2. Copy the name of the unmovable file from the Computer Management event information panel without the ::$DATA part at the end. It might look something like ‘UsersUserNameAppDataLocalMicrosoftWindowsHistoryHistory.IE5index.dat' although some of the folder names may vary.
3. In Windows Explorer find the folder that you unzipped PendMoves.zip to. Hold down shift and right click on the folder, then choose Open command window here.
4. Type movefile followed by a space, followed by a double quote. Then paste in the filename by clicking on the icon in the upper left corner of the Command Prompt window and choosing Edit > Paste from the menu. Finish off by typing a double quote followed by a space, followed by two double quotes, then press Enter. Your typed line should look something like this:
   movefile 'UsersUserNameAppDataLocalMicrosoftWindowsHistoryHistory.IE5index.dat' ''
5. Restart your computer, making sure not to run Internet Explorer before or after you've restarted.

Once your current system partition is small enough to fit on the new drive, you can very easily clone it onto the new drive with EASEUS Todo Backup Home (which is free from their website at www.todo-backup.com). You just need to make sure Windows isn't using the destination drive for anything like system restore/protection, pagefile, indexing etc. This shouldn't be a problem if it's a brand spanking new drive.

After cloning the drive you'll need to either disconnect the old drive, or go into your BIOS setup and change the boot order of the drives. The first couple of times you boot up onto the new drive Windows will probably run chkdsk.

Windows 7 Shrink Disk Unmovable Files Free

Don't forget to re-enable virtual memory (pagefile), indexing and system restore if you disabled them, and reinstall your antivirus program if you removed it.