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Asked: 2024-09-25T05:15:56+05:30 In:

What are the steps to expand the partition where Ubuntu is installed?

I’ve been trying to figure out how to expand the partition where my Ubuntu is installed, and I’m kind of stuck. I recently started working on some heavy applications, and I’ve run out of space. It’s super frustrating because I keep getting that low-disk space warning, and it’s slowing everything down.

I’ve looked up a few tutorials online, but they all seem a bit overwhelming or just don’t match my setup. I have a dual-boot system with Windows and Ubuntu, and I know the partitions are all mixed up, so I want to make sure I don’t mess anything up. I think I need to resize the Windows partition to give more room to Ubuntu, but every time I think about it, I get nervous about losing my files or screwing something up.

From what I understand, I might need to use GParted or something similar, but I’m not sure how to go about that. Do I need to back everything up first? What’s the safest way to do this? I really want to avoid a situation where I accidentally delete something important. Also, if I do expand the partition, will there be any impact on my boot loader since I have both operating systems?

If someone could break it down into steps, that would be super helpful. Like, do I need to boot from a USB to do this resizing? Should I turn off fast startup in Windows first? And once the partition is expanded, do I need to do anything extra in Ubuntu to make sure it recognizes the new space?

Any tips or stories about your own experiences would be great. I just want to make sure I take the right steps to avoid any issues. Thanks in advance for your help!

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    2 Answers


    1. To resize your Ubuntu partition safely, the first step is to back up your important files. This is crucial because partition resizing always carries some risk of data loss, especially when dealing with mixed operating systems like Windows and Ubuntu. Once you’ve secured your data, ensure you disable “Fast Startup” in Windows, as this can lock the partition and prevent resizing. After that, boot your system using a live USB containing GParted (a powerful partition editor). From the GParted interface, you’ll be able to see all your partitions clearly. First, shrink the Windows partition to create unallocated space, then expand the Ubuntu partition into that newly created space. Make sure to apply the changes once you’ve made the adjustments, but be patient as this can take some time depending on your disk size.

      After successfully resizing the partitions, boot back into Ubuntu. You will need to open a terminal and run the command `sudo resize2fs /dev/sdX`, replacing “sdX” with the proper identifier for your root partition (you can find this in GParted). This will allow Ubuntu to recognize the new space. It’s advisable to check your boot loader afterward, although typically it should not be affected. However, in the unlikely event of boot issues, you can repair your GRUB bootloader from your live USB using boot-repair. After performing these actions, you should now have a more spacious Ubuntu environment ready for your heavy applications without running into low disk space warnings. Just ensure to proceed with caution, and best of luck!




    2. Expanding Ubuntu Partition

      How to Expand Your Ubuntu Partition

      If you’re looking to expand your Ubuntu partition and feeling a bit lost, you’re definitely not alone! Here’s a simplified step-by-step guide to help you through it. Just take it slow and don’t rush, okay?

      1. Backup Your Data

      First things first, BACK UP EVERYTHING! Seriously, just do it. Use an external drive, cloud storage, whatever you can. You don’t want to risk losing your files, so better safe than sorry!

      2. Prepare Windows

      Before diving into partitioning, you should disable Fast Startup in Windows. This will help prevent any file system corruption:

      1. Go to Control Panel > Hardware and Sound > Power Options.
      2. Click on “Choose what the power buttons do”.
      3. Click on “Change settings that are currently unavailable”.
      4. Uncheck “Turn on fast startup” and save changes.

      3. Shrink the Windows Partition

      Now, you need to shrink your Windows partition to make room for Ubuntu:

      1. Right-click on the Windows Start menu and select “Disk Management”.
      2. Right-click the Windows partition (usually C:) and select “Shrink Volume”. Follow the prompts to shrink it.

      4. Boot from a Live USB

      Next, it’s time to boot from a Live USB to use GParted:

      1. Create a bootable Ubuntu USB if you don’t have one.
      2. Boot your computer from the USB. You might need to change the boot order in BIOS.
      3. Once Ubuntu loads, open GParted (you might need to install it if it’s not included).

      5. Resize the Ubuntu Partition

      In GParted:

      1. Find your Ubuntu partition (likely ext4). Right-click on it and select “Resize/Move”.
      2. Drag the slider to take up the free space created earlier in the Windows partition.
      3. Click “Resize/Move” and hit the checkmark button to apply these changes.

      6. Update Boot Loader

      Usually, resizing your partitions shouldn’t affect Grub (your boot loader), but it’s always good to be cautious. After resizing:

      1. Open a terminal in Ubuntu and run:
        2. sudo update-grub
      2. This will update the boot loader in case there were any changes.

      7. Reboot and Check

      Finally, reboot and remove the USB drive. Check your available space in Ubuntu by running:

      df -h

      This will show you the partition sizes and should reflect the changes you made!

      Final Tips

      Just remember, take your time, and double-check everything before making changes. It might seem daunting, but you’ve got this! Oh, and if things go wrong—don’t panic! Just refer back to your backup and seek help online.

      Good luck, and happy computing!


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