Guide to Reducing Volume with Locked Files in Windows 11

Key Notes

  • Understanding unmovable files is crucial in troubleshooting.
  • Use Event Viewer to identify issues with disk management.
  • Consider third-party tools if Windows management fails.

How to Successfully Shrink Volume with Unmovable Files in Windows 11

Many Windows 11 users face challenges when attempting to shrink disk volumes due to unmovable files. This guide provides solutions to effectively address this issue and create additional partitions on your hard drive.

Step-by-Step Guide to Shrink Volume

Step 1: Identify Unmovable Files Using Event Viewer

Begin by opening the Windows Event Viewer to ascertain which files are unmovable. You can reference the steps below:

  1. Launch the Event Viewer on your Windows 11 system.
  2. Expand the Windows Logs category on the left side and select Application.
  3. Navigate to Action > Filter Current Log.
  4. Select Defrag in the event sources and hit OK.
  5. Review the list of events based on date and time to find the defragmentation information.

Pro Tip: Take notes of the unmovable files identified in the Event Viewer as these will inform subsequent steps.

Step 2: Disable Hibernation

Disable hibernation on your computer, which generates the hiberfil.sys file on your C drive. After disabling, restart your system to remove this file.

Step 3: Turn Off the Pagefile

The Pagefile acts as virtual memory in Windows. To disable it, follow these steps:

  1. Search for Adjust the appearance and performance of Windows and open it.
  2. In the Performance Options window, click on the Advanced tab.
  3. Under the Virtual Memory section, click Change.
  4. Uncheck the Automatically manage paging file size option.
  5. Choose No paging file and click Set.
  6. Click OK and restart your computer.

Pro Tip: Disabling the Pagefile will help free up additional space for partitioning the drive.

Step 4: Disable System Restore

Turning off System Protection will eliminate any System Restore files occupying space. After doing so, remember to reboot your system.

Step 5: Utilize Third-Party Partitioning Tools

If Windows Disk Management fails to shrink your volume, consider using third-party tools like Paragon Partition Manager to handle the partitioning seamlessly.

Step 6: Backup Data & Perform Clean Installation

As a last resort, if all else fails, back up your data and consider executing a clean installation of Windows. This will give you an opportunity to create partitions correctly during setup.

Summary

This guide provided you with multiple methods to overcome errors related to shrinking partitions in Windows 11 due to unmovable files. By following these steps, you should successfully manage your disk space and create required partitions effectively.

Final Thoughts

Understanding and managing unmovable files is key when attempting to shrink volumes in Windows 11. By implementing the solutions outlined above, you can efficiently create partitions to optimize your disk space.

FAQ Section

How to shrink a volume in Windows 11?

To shrink a volume in Windows 11, open the Disk Management app, select the desired partition, right-click it, and select Shrink Volume.

How do I disable unmovable files?

To disable unmovable files, determine which file type it is: disable hibernation for the hibernation file or disable the Pagefile for virtual memory issues.