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Asked: 2024-09-24T07:19:07+05:30 In: ,

What steps can I follow to change the size of disk partitions on my Ubuntu system?

I’ve been trying to figure out how to change the size of disk partitions on my Ubuntu system, but honestly, I’m feeling a bit lost. My laptop’s hard drive space is getting tight because I have a bunch of files and programs that just keep piling up. I thought maybe I could allocate more space to my main partition, but every time I look into it, I start worrying that I might accidentally mess something up.

I’ve read about various commands and tools like GParted or the terminal commands, but the whole process seems a bit daunting. I don’t want to risk losing any important data or corrupting the system in the process. It would be great to get some practical steps laid out for how to go about this, especially for someone who’s not exactly an expert in Linux.

For those of you who have done this before, could you share your experience? What are some safety precautions I should take before starting? Do I need to back up everything, or can I just back up the important stuff? Also, how do I actually resize the partitions? Is there a way to do it without having to boot from a live USB, or is that pretty much the only safe option?

Any tips on the best tools to use or any specific commands I should be aware of would be super helpful too. If you could walk me through the steps and maybe share any pitfalls you encountered, I’d really appreciate it. This feels like a big task for a casual user like me, so any insights or reassurances you can provide would make me feel a lot better about tackling this. Thanks in advance for your help!

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    2 Answers



    1. Resizing Partitions on Ubuntu


      Resizing Partitions on Ubuntu: A Beginner’s Guide

      I totally get where you’re coming from! Resizing disk partitions can seem super scary, especially if you’re not a Linux guru. But don’t worry, I’ll try to break it down for you step by step.

      1. Backup your Data

      Before you do anything else, you need to make a backup. Seriously, it’s the most important step. You should ideally backup everything, but if you’re short on time, definitely back up the important files!

      2. Choose Your Tool

      For resizing partitions, GParted is your best friend. It’s a graphical tool, which makes it way easier than using terminal commands. You can install it with:

      sudo apt install gparted

      3. Using GParted

      Here’s how to use GParted:

      • Open GParted (you might need to run it as superuser: sudo gparted).
      • Find the partition you want to resize.
      • Right-click on it and choose Resize/Move.
      • Adjust the size as needed — there’s a slider you can drag!
      • Click the Resize/Move button when you’re done.
      • Finally, click the check mark (✔️) to apply the changes.

      4. Rebooting

      In most cases, you can resize your partitions without a live USB, but be prepared to reboot your system after you apply the changes. Sometimes, the partitions might not resize correctly if you’re using them, so it’s safer to do this when they’re not in use.

      5. Pitfalls to Avoid

      Here are a few things to keep in mind:

      • Do NOT resize the partition that contains your OS while it’s running (unless you’re certain it’s safe).
      • Make sure you have enough unallocated space for the partition you want to expand.
      • Keep an eye on what partitions you’re modifying; accidents happen!

      6. Safety Precautions

      Besides backing up your data, always double-check your steps before applying changes. If something feels off, don’t hesitate to pause and do more research!

      Final Thoughts

      It sounds like a lot, but if you take it one step at a time, you’ll get through it! Just remember the backup, use GParted, and breathe. You’ve got this!


    2. Resizing disk partitions on Ubuntu can indeed feel overwhelming, especially if you’re worried about data loss or system corruption. The first and most crucial step is to back up your data. While it’s always best to back up everything, at the very least, you should ensure your important files are safely stored elsewhere, such as on an external hard drive or cloud storage. Once you have a backup, you can proceed with partition resizing. One of the safest ways to do this is by using GParted, a graphical partition editor. You can install it via the terminal with the command sudo apt install gparted. However, it’s important to note that resizing partitions is often best done from a live USB environment, especially if you are resizing the root or system partition. This prevents any potential conflicts that might arise from editing mounted partitions.

      To use GParted effectively, first boot from a live USB with Ubuntu installed. Once in the live environment, open GParted, and you’ll be presented with a graphical representation of your partitions. You can resize partitions by right-clicking on the one you wish to adjust, selecting Resize/Move, and dragging the slider or entering the desired size manually. If you need to make space for your main partition, you might first need to shrink another adjacent partition. After making your adjustments, click the checkmark button to apply changes. Be aware of potential pitfalls such as trying to resize partitions that aren’t contiguous, which may limit your options when reallocating space. Always ensure you have backups before proceeding with any changes to your partitions.

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