How to Merge Disk Partitions in Windows 11: A Step-by-Step Guide

Have you ever looked at your Windows 11 disk partitions and thought, “Why do I have so many drives?” Or maybe you’re running out of space on one partition while another sits nearly empty. The good news? You can merge disk partitions in Windows 11 easily — without losing your important data (if done correctly).

In this comprehensive guide, we’ll walk you through how to merge partitions in Windows 11 step by step, explain different methods, and help you choose the safest and most efficient approach.

Table of Contents

🧭 What Does Merging Disk Partitions Mean?

Before diving into the steps, let’s make sure we understand the concept.

A disk partition is a section of your hard drive that functions as a separate storage unit — for example, your C: drive for Windows and D: drive for personal files.

When you merge disk partitions, you combine two (or more) partitions into one larger one. This can help you:

Reclaim unused space from other drives
Simplify your storage structure
Improve performance and management

Think of it like combining two rooms into a single big one — more space and fewer walls.

💡 Why Merge Disk Partitions in Windows 11?

There are several practical reasons why you might want to merge partitions:

Reason	Description
Low Disk Space	Your system drive (C:) is running out of space while another partition has unused storage.
Simplify Storage	Managing fewer partitions can make navigation and backups easier.
Reallocate Space	You want to give more space to Windows or specific applications.
Remove Unnecessary Drives	After reinstalling Windows or cleaning up, you may end up with redundant partitions.

⚠️ Important: Backup Your Data First!

Before merging partitions, always back up your files. Even though Windows 11 offers safe tools, accidents or power interruptions can cause data loss.

You can use:

File History or Windows Backup
OneDrive or another cloud service
External hard drive or USB

👉 Remember: Data safety first, merging second.

🧰 Methods to Merge Disk Partitions in Windows 11

There are three main methods to merge partitions:

Using Windows Disk Management (built-in tool)
Using Command Prompt (DISKPART tool)
Using third-party partition software (like EaseUS, MiniTool, or AOMEI)

Let’s explore each step-by-step.

🪟 Method 1: Merge Disk Partitions Using Disk Management

Windows 11 includes a built-in tool called Disk Management that lets you delete and extend partitions easily.

✅ Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1: Open Disk Management

Press Windows + X.
Choose Disk Management from the list.

You’ll see all your drives and partitions displayed graphically.

Step 2: Identify the Partitions

Decide which partitions you want to merge — for example:

Drive C: (System)
Drive D: (Data)

⚠️ Note: You can only merge adjacent partitions (ones next to each other).

Step 3: Delete the Target Partition

Right-click the partition you want to remove (e.g., D:).
Select Delete Volume.
Confirm the warning — this will erase all data from that partition.

It will now show as Unallocated Space.

Step 4: Extend the Remaining Partition

Right-click the partition you want to expand (e.g., C:).
Select Extend Volume.
Follow the Extend Volume Wizard to add the unallocated space.

That’s it — your drives are now merged!

🧩 Method 2: Merge Partitions Using Command Prompt (DISKPART)

For advanced users, DISKPART is a command-line tool that manages disks and partitions.

⚙️ Step-by-Step Guide

Step 1: Open Command Prompt as Administrator

Press Windows + S → type cmd.
Right-click Command Prompt → select Run as administrator.

Step 2: Enter DISKPART

Type:

diskpart

Press Enter.

Step 3: View Available Disks

list disk

Step 4: Select the Disk

select disk 0

(Replace 0 with your disk number.)

Step 5: View Partitions

list partition

Step 6: Delete the Secondary Partition

select partition 2
delete partition

⚠️ Be cautious — this deletes all data from the partition.

Step 7: Extend the Primary Partition

select partition 1
extend

DISKPART will merge the unallocated space into the selected partition.

🧠 Method 3: Merge Disk Partitions Using Third-Party Software

If you prefer a visual, beginner-friendly interface, third-party tools are ideal. They offer more flexibility — even allowing you to merge non-adjacent partitions.

Popular Tools:

EaseUS Partition Master
AOMEI Partition Assistant
MiniTool Partition Wizard

Let’s take EaseUS Partition Master as an example.

🪄 Step-by-Step: Using EaseUS Partition Master

Download and install EaseUS Partition Master from the official website.
Launch the app and locate the target drives.
Right-click the partition you want to merge (e.g., D:) → select Merge.
Choose the destination partition (e.g., C:) → click OK.
Click Execute Operation → Apply to confirm.

EaseUS will automatically merge both partitions safely, with minimal risk of data loss.

🔍 Comparing the Methods

Method	Ease of Use	Data Safety	Works for Non-Adjacent Partitions	Best For
Disk Management	Moderate	Medium	❌ No	Quick native method
DISKPART	Advanced	Low	❌ No	Experienced users
Third-Party Tool	Easy	High	✅ Yes	Beginners & complex cases

🧱 Can You Merge Non-Adjacent Partitions in Windows 11?

By default, Windows Disk Management and DISKPART can’t merge non-adjacent partitions — only ones next to each other.

If there’s a partition (like “E:”) between C: and D:, you’ll need to:

Delete or move the middle partition.
Or use a third-party tool like EaseUS that supports non-adjacent merges.

🧩 How to Merge Partitions Without Losing Data

If you don’t want to lose files:

Use a professional partition manager like EaseUS or AOMEI.
Back up important data before merging.
Avoid manual deletion through Disk Management.

Some tools offer “merge without data loss” features, making them safer for personal computers.

🧾 Example Scenario: Expanding the C: Drive

Imagine your C: drive (System) is full, and D: drive has 100 GB free. Here’s what to do:

Backup files from D:.
Delete D: using Disk Management → creates unallocated space.
Right-click C: → Extend Volume → add the unallocated space.

Your C: drive now includes both spaces — perfect for installing new programs or updates.

💬 Common Problems and Fixes

❌ “Extend Volume” Option Is Greyed Out

This usually means:

There’s no adjacent unallocated space.
The partition format is incompatible (e.g., FAT32).

Fix:
Use third-party software or convert partitions to NTFS format.

⚠️ “Access Denied” or “Cannot Delete Volume”

This happens when the partition is:

A system recovery or OEM partition.
In use by the system.

Fix:
Use a professional tool that supports deleting protected partitions.

🛠️ Alternative: Shrink and Extend Instead of Merging

If merging seems risky, another option is to shrink one partition and extend another.

Steps:

Right-click the large partition → Shrink Volume.
Allocate unallocated space.
Extend the smaller partition into that space.

This is a safer workaround that doesn’t involve deleting entire partitions.

💽 Tips for Managing Partitions Efficiently

Keep at least 100 GB free on your system (C:) drive for performance.
Don’t merge system recovery or EFI partitions.
Use descriptive drive labels (e.g., “Projects,” “Media,” “Games”).
Regularly defragment HDDs and optimize SSDs after merging.

🧰 Advanced: Using PowerShell to Merge Partitions

Tech-savvy users can use PowerShell commands for advanced control.

Example:

Get-Partition
Remove-Partition -DiskNumber 0 -PartitionNumber 3
Resize-Partition -DiskNumber 0 -PartitionNumber 2 -Size (Get-Disk 0).Size

⚠️ Only attempt this if you’re comfortable with scripting.

🧾 Key Differences Between Merge, Extend, and Shrink

Action	What It Does	Data Risk	Tools
Merge	Combines two partitions	Medium	Disk Management / Third-party
Extend	Adds unallocated space to one partition	Low	Disk Management
Shrink	Reduces a partition’s size	Low	Disk Management

🧩 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Can I merge C: and D: drive without losing data?

Yes, but only with third-party software like EaseUS Partition Master or AOMEI Partition Assistant, which can merge partitions without formatting.

2. Why can’t I merge partitions in Windows 11 Disk Management?

Because Disk Management only supports merging adjacent partitions. If there’s another drive in between, it won’t work.

3. Is it safe to merge system partitions?

It’s not recommended. Avoid merging system, EFI, or recovery partitions — they’re critical for booting and recovery.

4. Can I merge partitions on an external hard drive?

Yes! As long as the drive is connected and recognized by Windows, you can merge its partitions using the same tools.

5. Will merging partitions affect my installed programs?

If you delete a partition that contains program files, those applications will stop working. Always reinstall or move them before merging.

🧭 Conclusion

Merging disk partitions in Windows 11 is easier than you might think — especially with the right tools. Whether you’re freeing up space on your C: drive or simplifying your storage setup, the process is straightforward.

To recap:

Backup your data first.
Use Disk Management or third-party software depending on your comfort level.
Merge adjacent partitions or use tools like EaseUS for complex cases.

Once done, you’ll enjoy a cleaner, more efficient drive layout — and maybe even a faster PC.

🧾 Summary: Key Takeaways

Key Point	Description
Backup First	Always back up before modifying partitions.
Windows Tools Are Limited	Disk Management only merges adjacent partitions.
Third-Party Tools Offer Flexibility	Use them to merge safely and without data loss.
Avoid System Partitions	Don’t touch EFI or recovery drives.
Keep C: Drive Spacious	For smooth performance and updates.

By following this step-by-step guide on how to merge disk partitions in Windows 11, you’ll not only reclaim space but also make your PC more efficient and organized.

Now it’s your turn — which method will you try first?