How do you extend volume on Windows 10?

Extending a volume (or partition) on Windows 10 is typically done using the built-in Disk Management tool. This process allows you to increase the size of an existing partition, usually by adding unallocated space from the same physical disk.

Steps to Extend a Volume in Windows 10

To extend a volume on your Windows 10 computer, follow these steps:

1. Access Disk Management: The easiest way is to right-click the Start button and select Computer Management. Alternatively, you can type "Disk Management" in the Windows search bar and select "Create and format hard disk partitions".
2. In Computer Management, select [Disk Management]③. You will see a list of your disks and their partitions.
3. Identify the Volume: Locate the existing volume (partition) you want to extend.
4. Initiate the Extension: Right-click the existing volume you want to extend④, then select [Extend Volume]⑤.
5. Follow the Wizard: The Extend Volume Wizard will guide you through the process. You will typically select the amount of unallocated space to add to the volume.

Requirement: Unallocated Space

A crucial requirement for extending a volume using Disk Management is that there must be unallocated space directly adjacent to and to the right of the volume you want to extend.

• If there is already unallocated space available on the disk and it's next to your target volume, you can proceed directly with step 4.
• If there is no unallocated space, but you want to extend the existing volume, you are able to delete a separate volume, and then it will become unallocated space. Be aware that deleting a volume will erase all data on that volume. Ensure you back up any important data before deleting a partition.

Note: You cannot extend a partition into space that is separated by another active partition. The unallocated space must be contiguous to the right of the partition you wish to extend.

Summary Table

Here's a quick overview of the process:

Action	Tool	Location	Key Condition
Extend Volume	Disk Management	Right-click desired volume -> Extend Volume	Adjacent Unallocated Space
Create Unallocated Space	Disk Management	Right-click volume -> Delete Volume	Data Loss Risk

By following these steps, you can successfully extend a volume on your Windows 10 system using the built-in Disk Management utility.