Introduction
When PC owners first obtain their systems, they don't have too much interest in the hard disk drive within. They just make sure they get the largest drive available and that the best value. Many modern computers are sold with massive storage space and capacity, with some topping out a one terabytes of space, although 250 megabytes to 500 megabytes of stores space is standard. Operating system files as well as user generated files are stored on the hard drive in what is termed volumes or partitions. If you need more space on the hard drive you can increase the size of these volumes or partitions in the Windows operating system.
Step 1
Finish up any projects or documents that you are currently working on before you start to increase the space of the hard drive. For example, if you are editing photos or videos, many applications save several versions of your projects to the hard drive, temporarily depleting valuable hard drive space. You want to make sure you have an accurate accounting of the space on the hard drive.
Step 2
Click on the Start button in the bottom left hand corner of the Windows desktop. Input the term "Computer Management" in the search box on the Start menu. This tool expands the space on the hard drive. Click the icon to open a new dialog box. Click to open the Storage section on the left side of the window. Select Disk Management.
Step 3
Select Extend Volume by right-clicking on the hard drive that you want to expand for space purposes. Select Next.
Step 4
Choose the following option: "Select the Amount of Space in MB." Leave the numerical value as is to increase the space on the hard drive.
Step 5
Select "Finish", completing the process of getting more space on the hard drive.
Tips
There are many other third party tools that add more space to the hard drive.
Sources and Citations
- " Can I repartition my hard disk?." Microsoft Windows. N.p., n.d. Web. 5 Apr. 2012. <http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows7/Can-I-repartition-my-hard-disk>.
- " Create and format a hard disk partition." Microsoft Windows. N.p., n.d. Web. 5 Apr. 2012. <http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows7/Create-and-format-a-hard-disk-partition>.
- " Install or remove a hard disk drive." Microsoft Windows. N.p., n.d. Web. 5 Apr. 2012. <http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows7/Install-or-remove-a-hard-disk-drive>.
- " Strategies for freeing disk space." Microsoft Windows. N.p., n.d. Web. 5 Apr. 2012. <http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows7/strategies-for-freeing-disk-space>.
- " Partition or Volume - Extend - Windows 7 Forums." Windows 7 Forums . N.p., n.d. Web. 5 Apr. 2012. <http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/2670-partition-volume-extend.html>.
- " Shadow Copies - Delete - Windows 7 Forums." Windows 7 Forums . N.p., n.d. Web. 5 Apr. 2012. <http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/166102-shadow-copies-delete.html>.
- "6 Ways To Free Disk Space In Windows 7." Addictive Tips - Tips to make you smarter!. N.p., n.d. Web. 5 Apr. 2012. <http://www.addictivetips.com/windows-tips/6-ways-to-free-disk-space-in-windows-7/>.
- "Microsoft Windows XP - Your hard disk is too full." Microsoft Corporation. N.p., n.d. Web. 5 Apr. 2012. <http://www.microsoft.com/resources/documentation/windows/xp/all/proddocs/en-us/cdmedia_fail3_moreinfo_disk_full.mspx>.
- " Room to grow: Get more space by using external hard disk drives." Microsoft Windows. N.p., n.d. Web. 5 Apr. 2012. <http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows-vista/Room-to-grow-Get-more-space-by-using-external-hard-disk-drives>.
- "Microsoft Windows XP - Allocate more disk space for archiving restore points." Microsoft Corporation. Web. 5 Apr. 2012. <http://www.microsoft.com/resources/documentation/windows/xp/all/proddocs/en-us/app_system_restore_hss_change.mspx>.
- " Disk Quota - Set Space Limits for Users - Windows 7 Forums." Windows 7 Forums . N.p., n.d. Web. 5 Apr. 2012. <http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/76002-disk-quota-set-space-limits-users.html>.
