How to Extend System Volume

Extending the system volume on your computer can benefit you when you need extra space on a hard drive that is currently running low on disk space. By extending your system volume, or partition, your computer will take extra space that is not being used by other partitions, and apply that space to the drive that needs extra volume. Extending your system volume can be done on any computer with a Windows or Macintosh operating system without the use of additional software. Continue reading this article to learn how you can extend system volume on your computer to create additional memory for that particular partition, or disk.

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Steps

Windows 7 and Windows Vista

    1
    Save and back up the data on the hard drive you want to extend. Although your data will not be harmed when extending your system volume, this step can prevent any data from being deleted in the event your computer experiences problems that are unrelated to the procedure.
        Copy all your data to an external hard drive or flash drive, or use third-party backup software to save your data.
    2
    Log in to your computer using the administrator password. You can only extend system volume if you are logged in to your computer as the administrator.
    3
    Access the Computer Management application. The Computer Management application will allow you to manipulate your computer's system volume.
        Click on the "Start" menu within your computer's taskbar and open the "Control Panel."
        Click on "System and Maintenance," then click on "Administrative Tools." Depending on the version of your Windows operating system, "System and Maintenance" may read as "System and Security."
        Click on "Computer Management" from the list of options provided. Your computer will then take a few moments to load the application.
    4
    Access the Disk Management console.
        Click on "Storage" within the Computer Management application, then open "Disk Management." Your computer will then provide you with its system volume information.
    5
    Extend the system volume of your computer disk.
        Highlight the drive that you want to extend the system volume for by clicking on that specific drive below the "Volume" column.
        Right-click on the drive, then select "Extend Volume." The Extend Volume Wizard will appear on your screen.
        Click the "Next" button to proceed to the next step of the wizard, then enter the amount of megabytes (MB) you want the system extended by next to the field that reads "Select the amount of space in MB."
        Click on "Next" again to complete the system volume extension process.
        Click on the "Finish" button when the Extend Volume Wizard has successfully extended your system volume.
        Close the Computer Management window. You will then have additional room on your system partition courtesy of another partition that your computer is not fully utilizing.

Macintosh OS X

    1
    Create a backup of all data you want saved that currently resides on the disk you are extending. Your data will not be deleted when you extend your system volume; however, you can prevent data loss due to unrelated issues your computer may experience while extending system volume.
        Save your data to an external flash drive or disk, or use other third-party software to back up your data.
    2
    Access the Disk Utility application. The Disk Utility program will allow you to manage your system volume and partitions.
        Open the Applications folder on your desktop, then click on "Utilities."
        Open the Disk Utility program from the list of options provided in Utilities.
    3
    Extend your computer's system volume.
        Select the disk or partition you want the system volume extended for within the left column of the Disk Utility screen.
        Click on the "Partition" tab to review the volume information for the disk you have chosen.
        Verify that "Current" is the option displayed in the field below "Volume Scheme."
        Click on the bottom of the partition displayed below "Volume Scheme," and drag the partition downward to extend system volume.
        Click on the "Apply" button to save your changes made to the system volume, then close the Disk Utility screen.