The partition is going to be created on a hard drive where Windows XP has already been installed. Although a single hard drive can be managed in many different ways, a situation can also arise when off the shelf system will have one out of two basic configurations. The entire drive can be partitioned (e.g. C: in Fig. 01). Otherwise, it can be split into 2 partitions. One of them would be C: (the visible one); another partition would be hidden and would have the image of the operating system or the files that are used with Restore CDs, provided by system manufacturer.

Fig. 01

Many current systems use the single partition approach that needs the entire hard drive. However, it would most probably be better if a system had smaller system partition. In such a way the remaining drive space could be unallocated (see Fig. 02). It would be more efficient to partition the unallocated space for different purposes.

What to do if you would like to resize primary partition C: so that there was less free space available and take that additional free space and then ascribe it to unallocated status (see Fig. 2)? It may look rather simple, but a problem arises.

Fig. 02

The problem is that Disk Management cannot resize the partition. Actually, Windows XP does not include a feature of performing a right-to-left resizing operation. Windows XP as a Diskpart utility that can increase the size of the existing partition into Unallocated space; however, it has many limitations. So, if you want to resize the partition in Fig. 01 to make it similar to the one in Fig. 02, apply the following method:

• You can use a program, designed to manage partitioning tasks from the inside of the used operating system. Examples of such programs are PartitionMagic by PowerQuest, PartitionExpert by Acronis, Partition Commander by V Communications and others.
  

Fig. 03

In order to start the process of resizing, you should choose the partition that will be resized and click Resize in the Operations toolbar.

Fig. 04

You can now compare the differences found in the Resize Partition dialog boxes. Use up/down arrows to implement changes or simply type the entry in order to make the process quicker.

Fig. 05

After modifying the partition size and positioning the Unallocated space properly, you should click OK. You will be navigated back to the main PartitionExpert window. Here, click the Commit icon on the toolbar. The changes will be completed.

Fig. 06