This article introduces how to combine C: and D: drive in Windows Server 2012 R2, and better method to resize partition instead of merging C and D volume.
Advantage to combine C and D drive
As we know, to use disk space more efficiently or improve server performance, you'd better create at least one separate volume in the same disk of C drive. If you use single C drive and put everything into it, it'll cause many issue in the future. On the contrary, if you create more volume in the same disk, it means that C drive is smaller, so it is more likely running out of space.
Some people wondering if it is possible to merge C: and D: drive together, so the free space of D will be transferred into C drive. Yes, it is possible. However, it is not the best solution if you want to extend C drive on Windows Server 2012. In this article, I'll show you how to combine volumes C and D in Windows Server 2012 (R2), and the better method to extend C by shrinking D.
How to merge C and D drive in Server 2012
Download NIUBI Partition Editor you'll see all connected disk partition with structure and other information on the right, available operations to selected to disk or partition are listed on the left or by right clicking.
Steps to combine C: and D: drive in Windows Server 2012:
Step 1: Right click either partition C or D, and then select Merge Volume, select both drives in the pop-up window.
When merging C and D volume, if you can only select C: as destination drive. Because after merging partitions, one of them will be removed. C drive is where operating system located, so it can't be deleted. Merging C to D is disabled.
After click OK, this program will back to the main window, where you'll see that drive D merged into C.
Step 2: Click Apply on top left to execute, done.
NIUBI is designed to work in its own virtual mode, only after clicking Apply, the pending modification will take effect to real disk partition.
Open C drive in Windows Explorer after merging complete. You'll see a new folder named as "D to C(date and time)", all files in original drive D will be moved into this folder automatically.
Disadvantage of merging C and D drive
It is easy to combine C and D drive in Windows Server 2012 indeed, but as you see, D drive will be deleted. That means, all Windows services and applications in D become invalid, although files will be moved into C drive.
The best idea is shrinking D to extend C drive, that means, release unused space from D and add into C drive, so drive D won't be deleted. Operating System, programs and associated settings, as well as everything else keep the same with before. Watch the video how to do this:
Besides merging and resizing disk partitions, NIUBI Partition Editor can help you do many other disk partition management, such as create, delete, format, covert, defrag, copy, hide, wipe, scan partition, initialize and set read-only attribute to disk, etc.
© 2009 - NIUBI Technology All Rights Reserved. |