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gparted package

Using GParted to resize/move an NTFS partition

Asked by William Pabon

Is it possible to use GParted app to move/resize an NTFS partition? Will the data contained on such partition damaged? Or, am I forced to use a Windows partition utility to do this? Thanks for the education.
wp

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marcus aurelius (adbiz) said : 		#1

yes and no.

if the part of the partition that you're moving contains data, it will get corrupted in the sense that the programs that rely on it will not know where to find it. if the area that you're moving/resizing contains no data, then no harm will be done. this is true with gparted or the app that you use in windoze to move/resize the partition.

for example, if you have a partition that has data at the front of the partition but not at the end of the partition, anything that affects the front of the partition will "corrupt" your data. however, doing anything to the end of the partition will not corrupt anything.

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William Pabon (williepabon) said : 		#2

Marcus:
Thanks for the answer. The partition that I want to move/resize contains all my apps (Office, Antivirus sw, video/audio apps, other apps). The files/documents generated from these apps, I store in a different disc/partition. Some of the settings from these apps are also stored in a different disk. From what you say, it is apparent that the apps and/or data stored in this partition will get corrupted. Right? Previously, I used Partition Magic 8.0 to do this job, but for some unknown reason it is not working. That's why I'm exploring the possibility of using GParted. I have to do this because the primary partition (where Windows OS resides) needs more space, and the partition where the apps reside have plenty of it (both on the same hard drive). Any additional advice is appreciated.
wp

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Best delance (olivier-delance) said : 		#3

Is it possible to use GParted app to move/resize an NTFS partition?
Yes. Gparted will refuse to shrink partition size if there is not enough place on partition.
But if you have data at end of partition, I don't know if Gparted is able to "compress" data at start of partition. You could have to use Windows unfragementer to move all data at start of disk.
Despite Gparted is reliable, it's better to do a backup before.
A detail, you can't manipulate a partition, if OS is hibernating.

Will the data contained on such partition damaged? Should not, but do a BACKUP.

Or, am I forced to use a Windows partition utility to do this? No, but using Windows tool is considered safer.

Previously, I used Partition Magic 8.0 to do this job, but for some unknown reason it is not working. Check OS was not hibernating.

If you have Seven, you can resize/move a used partition. If you are using XP, I believe it will refuse. You probably will have to use a repair disk. In this case, Gparted is a good solution.

N.B.: I already used Gparted to resize NTFS partition with any problem.

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William Pabon (williepabon) said : 		#4

Thanks delance, that solved my question.