How dangerous is it to alter a partition with data on it?

How dangerous is it to alter a partition with data on it? I have a 80 GB disk with Windows 7 taking up the entire space. It's just the OS files, no personal data, but still. I'd like to know if it is possible to make that partition smaller (about 10 GB smaller) and what are the chances of losing the data.
Asked by: Guest \| Views: 437

Total answers/comments: 2

Comments display order:

bert [Entry]

Windows 7 has the native ability to shrink the volume. Go into Disk Management, right click the volume, and select Shrink Volume. Windows will then analyze the volume for available "shrink space" and present you with the option to shrink it and by how much. IMHO, this is the safest way to do it in Windows 7.

bert [Entry]

"It is possible, with the right tools. I've used Partition Magic in the past for exactly that sort of thing. Splitting the current partition into two and the like. No data was lost.

I'm not saying nothing can go wrong ... it just didn't in any of the times I did it.

Unfortunatelly, it is not a free tool, although I'm certain such exist. Google around for ""partitioning hard disc"", and there are bound to come out a few examples."