How to resize SBS 2008 system partition without reinstalling?

The same with other Windows Server editions, Small Business Server (SBS) 2008 system C drive also runs out of space. The experienced server administrators know the fast and easiest solution to solve disk space problem is resizing partitions and extend system C: drive. Then is it possible to resize SBS 2008 partitions without destroying data? How to resize SBS 2008 system partition? Don't worry, after reading this article, you'll know how easy it is to resize a partition (volume) on Small Business Server 2008.

Which tool to resize SBS 2008 partitions

The first thing you need to do, of couse is finding a server partition software. There are many partition tools including free and commercial, such as Diskpart, Partition Magic Server, Partition Assistant Server. To a server, the data security is most important, so select a reliable partition software, as nobody wants to see system crash or data loss after resizing partitions.

Diskpart resize SBS 2008 volumes

Diskpart is free Windows built-in utility which runs from command prompt. It integrates shrink and extend command to resize partitions. Due to the limitations, it is not the best choice to resize a volume in Windows SBS 2008. The main reason is because after shrink drive D:, the free Unallocated space is behind D:, it cannot be used to extend system C: drive except that you can move it to the end of C: drive.

Resize SBS 2008 system partition with partition software

With server partitioning software, the task to resize a drive in SBS 2008 becomes much easier.

Firstly, check disk partition layout in disk management and server storage. There is volume C: D: and E: on Disk 0, I want to extend C: drive by taking space from drive E:, here we go.

Step 1: Launch Partition Assistant Server, you'll see all disk partitions that connected to the SBS server. C: drive space is 35.08GB before resizing.

Right click drive E: and select 'Allocate Free Space'.

Step 2: In the pop up window, type the value how much space to take from drive E: and add the space to C: drive.

Click OK and you'll back to main window, where you'll find that C: drive space increased.

Step 3: Press 'Apply' button on top left to proceed, check the pending resizing operations.

Within several minutes, partition resizing complete, check in disk management and server storage. Yes, both drive E: and C: resized, system C drive extended to 57.07GB.

In conclusion, to resize SBS 2008 partition, you just need to select which drive to take space from and which drive add space to, you can resize and extend any partitions without doing anything else.

Download the free trial and check how easy it is to resize SBS 2008 system C: drive.