How to Resize Linux Partition: Shrink & Extend Partition Guide

Ever felt like your computer's storage space is getting smaller and smaller? Maybe you downloaded too many files, installed lots of programs, or your operating system is taking up more room than before. If you use Linux, you don't have to worry! There's a neat trick that can help you get more space without erasing everything.

In Linux, your storage is divided into different sections called partitions. By resizing these partitions, you can make some sections bigger and others smaller, just like adjusting the size of your shelves.

Now, you might be thinking, "But isn't that risky? What if I mess something up?" Don't worry, we've got you covered! In this easy-to-understand guide, we'll walk you through several safe methods to resize your Linux partitions. We'll explain everything in plain language to extend Linux partition, so you don't need to be a computer expert to follow along.

Is It Safe To Resize Partition Linux?

So, thinking to extend Linux partition? Is it safe? Well, resizing partitions is a delicate process that carries inherent risks, such as data loss or system instability. However, with the proper knowledge and precautions, it is generally considered safe to resize Linux partitions.

Before proceeding, it's crucial to create a full backup of your data to mitigate potential risks. Additionally, it's recommended to perform the resizing operation from a live environment, such as a bootable Linux USB or DVD, to avoid potential conflicts with the running system.

How to Extend Linux Partition

Let’s begin our Linux change partition size guide. There are several methods and tools available for resizing Linux partitions, each with its own strengths and considerations.

In this section, we'll explore four popular approaches to resize Linux partitions.

With the help of the table, you can quickly grasp the essence of each method and understand the advantages they offer. This will make it easier to decide which method best suits their needs and preferences.

Method 1: Use FDISK resize partition without losing data

One of the most widely used tools for partition management in Linux is fdisk. This command-line utility allows you to perform various operations on disk partitions, including resizing.

Here are the main tasks you can perform with fdisk:

• View Partition Table: Type p at the fdisk prompt and press Enter to display detailed information about all partitions.
• Delete a Partition: Type d followed by the partition number (e.g., d 1 to delete the first partition).
• Create a New Partition: Type n at the prompt and follow the prompts to specify the partition type, starting sector, and size.
• Save Changes and Exit: Type w to write the changes to the disk and exit fdisk.

To extend a partition using fdisk without losing data, follow these steps:

Step 1: First, you need to unmount the partition you want to resize. This means separating it from your system temporarily. Type this command:

# unmount /dev/vda

Step 2: Next, you'll list all the disks and partitions on your computer using this command:

sudo fdisk -l

Your screen will show a table with your partitions. Look through this and find the number of the partition you want to make bigger or smaller.

Step 3: Enter the p command to print this partition table again. This will help you confirm which partition number you need to change.

Step 4: To delete the partition and prepare for resizing, type d and then the partition number you want to remove. For example, if it's partition 2, type d and then 2 .

Step 5: After deleting, you'll create a new partition in its place. Type n and then specify the new size you want. You can enter a number like +500M for 500 megabytes.

Step 6: Type n again to keep the swap area the same size. Now print the partition table one more time by typing p. Check that the new partition size looks right.

Step 7: If everything looks good, type w to write or save all the changes you made.

Step 8: Finally, you'll remount or reattach the resized partition using this command:

# mount /dev/vda

And that's it! You've made the partition bigger or smaller without losing any data.

Method 2: Use the "Resize2fs" Utility

The resize2fs utility is a powerful tool specifically designed for resizing ext2, ext3, and ext4 file systems. It allows you to increase or decrease the size of a mounted or unmounted partition without losing data.

Here's how to use it:

Step 1: Unmount or detach the partition from your system. This allows you to make changes to it safely. Type this command:

# unmount /dev/vda

Step 2: Now you'll delete the existing partition to make space for a new one. Use the command:

D

Step 3: Time to create the new partition with the size you want. If you want more space, make it larger. If you want less space, make it smaller. Type:

n

Then specify the new size when asked.

Step 4: Next, you'll check to make sure the partition doesn't have any errors or problems. Type:

fsck

This will analyze and inspect the partition's structure.

Step 5: Use this command to actually resize the partition to the new size you created:

resize2fs

It will ask how many blocks you want. Enter the number it shows for your new size.

Step 6: The partition is now a different size. To use it again, you'll remount or re-attach it by typing:

# mount /dev/vda

And that's it! You've made the space on that partition larger or smaller without any data going missing.

Method 3: Run the GParted resize partition Command

GParted (GNOME Partition Editor) is a popular graphical utility for managing disk partitions in Linux, including resizing partitions. It provides an intuitive user interface and a wide range of features, making it a great choice for users who prefer a visual approach to expand or shrink Linux partition.

Here are the steps for GParted resize partition process.

Step 1: First, you need to install a program called GParted on your Ubuntu system. You can get it from the Ubuntu Software Centre, or by typing this command in the terminal:

sudo apt install gparted

Step 2: Once GParted is installed, you can find it and open it by searching in the Dash (start menu).

Step 3: If your computer has more than one hard drive, you'll need to select the one you want to work on. In the main GParted window, pick the drive from the top right corner. If you only have one drive, you can skip this step.

Step 4: To make a partition bigger or smaller, right-click on it in the main window and choose "Resize/Move".

Step 5: A new window will pop up with a slider. You can drag this slider left or right to change the partition size. Or you can just type in the new size you want in the box below the slider.

Step 6: GParted won't make any changes yet. It will just show the changes you want at the bottom of the window.

Step 7: When you're ready, click the green checkmark or "Tick" button to actually apply all the size changes you made.

Step 8: A warning window will pop up letting you know the changes could cause data loss. If you have a backup of your important files, you can safely click "Apply" here to resize the partitions.

GParted provides visual feedback throughout the process, making it easy to understand and monitor the resizing operation. It's worth noting that GParted can also be used to create, delete, and format partitions, making it a versatile tool for managing your disk partitions.

Method 4: Use KDE Partition Manager Utility

KDE Partition Manager is a program that lets you resize, format, delete, and create partitions on your Linux system. It has a nice user-friendly interface similar to GParted. It works with many different file systems like NTFS, FAT, ext4, and more.

Here are the simple steps to resize a partition with KDE Partition Manager:

Step 1: First, install KDE Partition Manager by typing this command in the terminal:

sudo apt-get install partitionmanager

Then open up the program.

Step 2: In the main window, right-click on the partition you want to make bigger or smaller. From the menu, choose "Resize/Move".

Step 3: A new window will pop up with a slider bar. You can drag this slider left or right to change the partition size. Or you can just type the new size you want in the box below the slider.

Step 4: KDE Partition Manager will show all the changes you want to make in a list. When you're ready, click the "Apply" button at the top to actually make those changes happen.

Step 5: Now just wait while it resizes your partition. This may take a few minutes. When it's all done, you'll see an "OK" button. Click that to get back to the main window.

That's it! KDE Partition Manager makes it easy to visually resize your Linux partitions with just a few clicks and drags. The nice interface guides you through the whole process.

Lost Data While Resizing Linux Partition? Use Recoverit

Despite taking precautions and following best practices, data loss can still occur during the resizing process due to various reasons, such as power outages, system crashes, or user errors. In such cases, having a reliable data recovery tool at your disposal can be invaluable.

Recoverit is a powerful data recovery software that can help you recover lost or deleted files from Linux partitions, including after a failed resize operation.

Recoverit offers a user-friendly interface and advanced scanning algorithms to recover data from various file systems, including ext4, ext3, ext2, and more. By following a few simple steps, you can quickly scan your Linux partition and recover your lost data, minimizing the impact of any data loss incidents.

Here's how to use Recoverit to recover data from a resized Linux partition:

Step 1: Go to the official website of Wondershare Recoverit. Install Recoverit on a separate system or a live Linux environment. Launch Recoverit and select the "NAS and Linux" mode from the left sidebar. Click the “Linux Recovery” option to proceed.

Step 2: Fill in the required fields with the correct information to set up a remote connection.

Click the Connect button.

Step 3: Once connected, Recoverit will automatically begin scanning.

Step 4: After the scan completes, preview the files. Select the files you want to recover and click the Recover button.

Step 5: Choose a location to save the recovered files on your computer. Click the Recover button again to save them.

Recoverit's advanced algorithms can recover data even after partitions have been resized, formatted, or deleted, making it an essential tool for data recovery scenarios. It supports a wide range of file systems and file types, ensuring that you can recover your important data regardless of the circumstances.

While resizing partitions is a useful skill, it's always essential to exercise caution and have a reliable data recovery plan in place. By using Recoverit, you can minimize the impact of data loss incidents and recover your valuable files, ensuring that your data remains safe and accessible.

Tips to Create and Resize Linux Partitions

While resizing partitions is a useful skill, it's equally important to plan and manage your partitions effectively from the outset. Here are some tips to help you create and maintain partitions efficiently:

• Plan your partition layout: Before installing Linux, consider your storage requirements and create separate partitions for different purposes, such as root (/), home (/home), swap, and others.
• Allocate sufficient space: When creating partitions, allocate enough space to accommodate future growth and avoid the need for frequent resizing.
• Monitor disk usage: Regularly monitor disk usage using tools like df and du to identify potential space issues and take proactive measures.
• Leverage Logical Volume Management (LVM): LVM is a powerful disk management system that simplifies partition resizing and provides additional flexibility.
• Back up regularly: Maintain regular backups of your data to ensure you can recover in case of any unforeseen issues during the resizing process.
• Use tools like GParted or KDE Partition Manager: As discussed earlier, tools like GParted and KDE Partition Manager provide user-friendly graphical interfaces for managing partitions, making it easier to visualize and perform resizing operations.

Conclusion

Throughout this comprehensive guide, we've explored various approaches for shrinking and expanding partitions.

Be it command-line utilities like fdisk and resize2fs, as well as graphical tools like GParted and KDE Partition Manager. Each method has its own strengths and considerations, allowing you to choose the approach that best suits your preferences and requirements.

Importantly, we've emphasized the crucial step of creating backups before attempting any partition resizing operation. Data loss is a real risk when modifying partitions, and having a reliable backup like Recoverit can provide peace of mind and a safety net in case of any unforeseen issues.