Extend partition in vmware workstation

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  1. Posts : 1,680
    X
       #1

    Extend partition in vmware workstation


    I have a C: drive (vmdk file) of around 100 GB.
    I used the vmware tools to add another 100 GB.
    It then says that I must then start the VM (Windows 10) and use OS tools to expand the existing 100 GB C: drive.
    So I started the VM and ran the disk management tool.
    You can see the 99.45 GB C: drive, and the 100 GB unallocated space.
    Extend partition in vmware workstation-x1.jpg
    I don't know how to merge that 100 GB of unallocated space into the C: drive.
    So I right-clicked on the C: drive and chose "extend volume" and I get this:
    Extend partition in vmware workstation-x2.jpg
    There's no space available to extend the C: drive.
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  2. Posts : 31,398
    10 Home x64 (22H2) (10 Pro on 2nd pc)
       #2

    margrave55 said:
    ...There's no space available to extend the C: drive.
    Your disk has an EFI partition so it is presumably a GPT partition layout. If so, there will be another partition that is not shown by Disk Management, a small MSR (Microsoft Reserved) partition. If this is after the C: partition is may be what's stopping you extend C:. Try MiniTools Partition Wizard, that will show all partitions, as it does here...

    Extend partition in vmware workstation-msr-pw-vs-dm.png
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  3. Posts : 1,680
    X
    Thread Starter
       #3

    OK, here it is in the Mini Tools Partition Wizard
    Extend partition in vmware workstation-x3.jpg
    What must I do now?
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  4. Posts : 31,398
    10 Home x64 (22H2) (10 Pro on 2nd pc)
       #4

    margrave55 said:
    OK, here it is in the Mini Tools Partition Wizard
    What must I do now?
    There is no apparent reason why your C: cannot be extended. Try extending it with Partition Wizard, it can often do things that Disk Management can't.

    Edit: on closer examination, C: is the Boot drive (not the EFI partition as it is in my earlier example). That was what Disk Management complained about in your screenshot.



    Despite that, Partition Wizard may still be able to extend it.
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  5. Posts : 11,247
    Windows / Linux : Arch Linux
       #5

    Hi folks

    @margrave55

    There's all sorts of solutions some far more convoluted than others -- this one works for me every time -- and isn't as complex as it looks -- I've often done this to make a Physical machine on totally different hardware from the VM and re-size partition afterwards -- but that's another story.

    What the process basically entails is imaging the Guest windows system with say Macrium, re-creating a new VM with a larger HDD size, restoring the saved image to the new guest and then adjusting the partition. You'll have to use a stand alone bootable partition manager for adjusting the size of the current running OS partition (in the executing VM not the Host of course) which is why you need to make an ISO of one -- GPARTED is free simple and easy.

    Easiest way by far

    1) create Macrium Free bootable recovery media -- but save as ISO.
    2) From VMWARE within the VM take macrium image on to external HDD.
    3) ) Exit VMWARE
    4) From Host machine delete that VM and create a new one with the size of HDD required.
    5) Now boot into BIOS with that new VM using the Macrium recovery media and restore image taken in step 2)
    6) Shut down that VM
    7) Create an ISO of GPARTED or any stand alone partition manager
    8) boot the VM created in step 4) with the stand alone partition manager iso
    9) resize partition
    10) shut down the VM and re-boot as normal

    JOB DONE -- Q.E.D !!!


    Note if using a Linux Host you'll have to create the Macrium bootable recovery media from within the windows VM -- if running Windows as a Host then just create the recovery media from the Host system.

    In your case above though you might be able to extend the data partition directly but you'll still need a bootable stand alone partition manager to extend the OS partition -- GPARTED will still be fine for that job.

    I don't really trust a lot of those vdmk extend / increase disk space - simply just create a new VM and follow outline I showed above -- works every time.

    Note also to avoid Windows re-activation problems --if you move the VM to a different machine or swap hosts e.g LINUX from Windows (The same VMWare VM's will boot identically from either host) at first boot if you get message I moved it or I copied it --choose I Moved it --otherwise you'll get a new GUUID and Windows will assume it's a new machine and may ask for activation !!!!!.


    Cheers
    jimbo
    Last edited by jimbo45; 18 May 2019 at 09:56. Reason: Odd typos --English gets worse as I'm drinking Beers !!
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  6. Posts : 1,680
    X
    Thread Starter
       #6

    Thanks. All done now.
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  7. Posts : 14
    Windows 10 Pro
       #7

    I just tried doing the same using VMware Workstation 15.5 and a Windows 10 2004 OS and the extending drive in VMware
    places the free space in the wrong location as seen from the screenshot. I rebuilt the VM and retried and i get the same results. I've never seen this issue with VMware workstation before. I've also looked at PartitionWizard.
    Extend partition in vmware workstation-2020-09-14_13h24_50.jpg
      My Computer


  8. Posts : 11,247
    Windows / Linux : Arch Linux
       #8

    rpmurph83 said:
    I just tried doing the same using VMware Workstation 15.5 and a Windows 10 2004 OS and the extending drive in VMware
    places the free space in the wrong location as seen from the screenshot. I rebuilt the VM and retried and i get the same results. I've never seen this issue with VMware workstation before. I've also looked at PartitionWizard.
    Extend partition in vmware workstation-2020-09-14_13h24_50.jpg
    Hi there
    Use the method I suggested - backup the VM with Macrium or whatever, create a New VM with a new VHD, restore the old VM image to the new VHD (from within the VM) and then re-partition with a bootable partition manager e.g GPARTED or similar.

    Easy - - job done.

    Cheers
    jimbo
      My Computer


  9. Posts : 14
    Windows 10 Pro
       #9

    I saw that an decided to keep messing with it. I was able to mount a bootable Partition Wizard ISO to the VM and expand the drive that way. What's even weirder is this only happens on one laptop with vmware workstation running the same version. I tried it on another an the space is contiguous when expanding from vmware.
      My Computer


  10. Posts : 2,068
    Windows 10 Pro
       #10

    All you had to do was hit next

    Extend partition in vmware workstation-image.png

    It had already picked up all of the free space. Unless you wanted to not use the entire 100GB, you are good to go. Just hit next.
      My Computers


 

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