How to merge hard disk partition​？

Merging hard disk partitions is a process that involves combining two or more partitions into a single partition, allowing for better utilization of available space on your hard drive. This task can be beneficial for several reasons, such as increasing the size of a partition that’s running out of space or simplifying the overall disk structure. 

1. Disk Partitions

What Are Hard Disk Partitions?

A partition is essentially a section of a physical hard disk that functions as an individual storage unit. Each partition can be formatted with a file system (like NTFS, FAT32. or exFAT) and used as if it were an entirely separate hard disk, even though it exists on the same physical drive.

Modern hard drives are often divided into multiple partitions for various reasons, such as:

System Partition: Where the operating system and boot files are stored.

Data Partition: Used to store personal data, programs, or files.

Recovery Partition: Typically holds recovery tools and backup files for system restoration.

Why Merge Partitions?

There are several reasons why you might want to merge partitions:

Space Management: Sometimes, you may have multiple smaller partitions, and you want to combine them into a larger, more usable space.

Simplifying the Disk Layout: If your disk layout is complex and cluttered with too many partitions, merging them can make it easier to manage.

Improving Performance: Merging partitions can potentially improve system performance, particularly if you were running low on space in one partition while another had excess space.

However, this task requires caution, as any error can result in data loss or partition corruption.

2. Risks

Data Loss and Backup Precautions

One of the primary risks of merging partitions is data loss. During the merging process, partitions are usually deleted or restructured, and there’s always a risk that something could go wrong, especially if you’re working with system partitions. It’s crucial to back up all important data before proceeding with partition merging.

Partition Alignment and File System Compatibility

Another risk involves partition alignment. Merging partitions with different alignment schemes or file systems can lead to issues, particularly if you’re working with a system disk or a drive containing system-related partitions. For example, merging NTFS with FAT32 partitions could cause complications.

3. Preparations Before Merging Partitions

Before you begin merging partitions, there are several steps you should take to ensure the process goes smoothly:

Backup Your Data

Backup everything before proceeding. Use cloud storage, an external hard drive, or another storage medium to save all the important data from the partitions you plan to merge. This step cannot be overstated, as merging partitions can potentially erase all data from one of the partitions.

Defragmenting the Partitions

It’s a good idea to defragment the partitions you’re planning to merge. This will optimize the files and free up contiguous blocks of space, making the merge process smoother. You can use Windows’ built-in disk defragmenter or a third-party defragmentation tool.

Freeing Up Space on Each Partition

Ensure that both partitions involved in the merge have enough free space to accommodate the combined data. If one partition is nearly full, it could prevent the process from completing successfully. You might need to delete unnecessary files or move data to another drive.

Disk Health Check

Before performing any operation on the hard drive, use a tool like CHKDSK or CrystalDiskInfo to ensure the drive is healthy. Merging partitions on a failing or corrupted drive could worsen the problem.

4. Tools for Merging Partitions

There are two main ways to merge partitions: using built-in Windows tools or third-party partition management software.

Using Built-in Windows Tools (Disk Management)

Windows includes a tool called Disk Management, which can be used to manage disk partitions. However, it has some limitations, such as not allowing the merging of non-adjacent partitions. Here’s a brief overview of how to use it:

Open the Disk Management utility (press Win + X and select “Disk Management”).

Right-click on the partition you want to delete, select Delete Volume.

After deleting, right-click the partition you want to expand and select Extend Volume.

Third-Party Tools

If you need more advanced features, third-party tools can offer a wider range of partition management capabilities. Here are a few popular ones:

EaseUS Partition Master: A comprehensive tool for merging, resizing, and managing partitions.

AOMEI Partition Assistant: A versatile tool that offers a partition merging feature.

MiniTool Partition Wizard: A robust partition manager with support for merging partitions and performing other advanced operations.

These tools are usually more intuitive and flexible than Disk Management, and they allow merging of non-adjacent partitions.

5. Step-by-Step Guide to Merging Partitions in Windows

Method 1: Using Windows Disk Management

Open Disk Management: Press Win + X and select “Disk Management” from the list.

Delete the Partition:

Right-click the partition you want to delete (the one that will be merged into another).

Choose Delete Volume.

Confirm that you want to delete the partition. This action will erase all data on the partition, so make sure you have a backup.

Extend the Main Partition:

Right-click the partition you want to keep.

Select Extend Volume.

The wizard will guide you through extending the partition to include the unallocated space created after deleting the other partition.

Method 2: Using Third-Party Software (EaseUS Partition Master)

Download and Install EaseUS Partition Master.

Launch the Software and locate the partitions you want to merge.

Select the Partition to Merge:

Right-click on the partition and choose Merge.

Follow the on-screen instructions to select the other partition to merge it with.

Apply the Changes:

Click Apply to initiate the merge.

The software will combine the partitions, and you’ll be prompted to restart your computer to finalize the changes.

6. How to Handle System Partitions

Merging system or boot partitions requires extra caution. Merging these partitions can disrupt the boot process and render your system unbootable.

If you need to merge system partitions, it’s recommended to:

Use third-party partition tools that support system partition management.

Create a system image backup before attempting any partition merging on a system disk.

7. Post-Merge Tasks

After merging partitions, there are a few tasks you need to take care of:

Extend the File System: After merging, the file system may need to be extended to take advantage of the newly available space.

Check for Errors: Run CHKDSK or other diagnostic tools to check for any potential errors that may have occurred during the merge.

Adjust Other Partitions: If you have additional partitions on the disk, you may need to adjust their size or reformat them.

8. Troubleshooting and Common Issues

What to Do if the Partition Merge Fails

If the merge process fails, it could be due to incompatible file systems or partition corruption. In such cases:

Check the Disk Health: Use disk diagnostic tools to ensure the disk is in good health.

Use Backup Data: If you didn’t back up your data beforehand, consider using data recovery tools to retrieve lost files.