I have one large partition (700 GB) on a Windows Server 2008 that I need to divide into two; the primary (60 GB), and a secondary (640 GB). The problem is that this has been in place for a few months and there must be system files blocking this action. I have 0MB for 'Size of available shrink space'. I followed the article http://www.howtogeek.com/howto/windows-vista/working-around-windows-vistas-shrink-volume-inadequacy-problems/with no change. Do I use GParted, or is there a better 'Microsoft Way'?

Hi, Did you get a chance to have a look into this http://blogs.techrepublic.com.com/datacenter/?p=398"Windows Server 2008 offers a new collection of disk management commands that can allow a disk to be expanded or shrunk while online. This functionality does not require that the drives be a dynamic disk, and it can be applied to the Windows C:\ drive. This functionality can enable administrators to manage the Windows storage requirements, which is one of the more challenging administration areas.Systems connected to enterprise storage systems such as storage area network (SAN) volumes have long used the diskpart command for basic extensions of a drive, but now this can be done in the Disk Management snap-in within Server Manager"Same here also http://www.petri.co.il/shrinking-a-partition-in-windows-vista-or-server-2008.htmRaj

Hi, Seems the problem occurred because there was a locked file somewhere near the end of the volume. Until that file is moved, disk manager will not be able to shrink beyond that point. Please perform the following suggestions: 1. Defrag the disk and then perform the shrink. 2. Boot the computer into Safe Mode to do the shrink 3. Boot the computer with Windows Vista installation disk, start the command prompt, shrink the disk in command line. Shrink a Basic Volume http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/cc731894.aspx Note: You can only shrink basic volumes that have no file system or use the NTFS file system. 4. If you cant shrink the disk through above suggestions, you may need to backup your system to an external disk, use the Windows Vista installation disk to partition the disk once more. By the way, as GParted is a third-party tool, we dont support it. Best Regards, Vincent Hu

Hi, I recommend that you backup your data to an external disk and then partition the disk again use Windows Server 2008 installation disk. Best Regards, Vincent Hu

It is easy to shrink partition in Server 2008 disk management, Vincent Hu explained very clear, but if you still cannot shrink in disk management, you may try other tool. http://www.partition-tool.com/resource/shrink-windows-partition.htm

Not sure exactly what had this one locked down. I followed everything Vincent Hu explained, but still no go. Even trying to use GParted would fail. I actually ended up ghosting the drive over to another drive. This was rework of the original plan but overall outcome was the same.Thanks for all of your help

Hi, I am sorry that the method can’t be accomplished. Please assign enough space for your system this time. The recommended size of system drive for Windows Server 2008 is 40GB or greater, so please assign it more base on your further requirements. Windows Server 2008 System Requirements http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/windowsserver/bb414778.aspx Best Regards, Vincent Hu

Yeah, the better and easier way is use some 3rd party tool like partition assistant. the article about resize partition windows 2003 will guide you the solution. (:

3rd partition magic server maybe the best choice.

You cannot decrease the allocated space beyond the point where the unmovable files are located. As an alternative way, you can choose Partition Magic Server 2008.