Discussion on:

Expand and shrink tasks with Windows Server 2008

Thanks alot,
Server 2008 is stronger than 2003, its disk management is able to extend and shrink volume easily, But it's not in 2003. another instruction also help me: http://www.extend-partition.com/resize-windows-server-2008-partition.html

Windows Server 2008 built in Disk Management has ability to shrink volume and extend volume, but "Extend Volume" is available when there is continous space behind the partition which you want to extend, otherwise,you cannot extend the partition. If there is no continous space behind the partition which you want to extend, how to extend partition, especially how to extend system partition?
This article will show you detail information to extend system partition on Windows Server 2008:
http://www.partition-tool.com/resource/extend-system-partition-server-2008.htm

Yes, windows server 2008 disk management has the feature to shrink and extend partition, but the disadvantages is that if there is no unallocated space behind the system partition, you cannot extend the partition. The shrink feature will create unallocated space behind the data partition, so it cannot be used to extend the system partition. In the condition, you have to delete the data partition that is behind the system partition if you want to extend the system partition.

More about this, refer http://www.partition-magic-server.com/resource/shrink-extend-server-2008.html

hope this article will help you
http://www.partition-tool.com/resource/extend-partition-server-2008.htm
it is about how to extend partition server 2008

Now, many server partition magic alternatives came into being as they used for satisfying server users boring problems. Aomei Partition Magic Server can help resizing partitions easily and efficiently.

Though Windows 2008 server provides Extend and Shrink feature to change partition size, it has many disadvantages, see this page http://www.partition-magic-server.com/resource/shrink-extend-server-2008.html

Although it is a magic new function, there are limitations, in other words, it allows you to extend partition under certain conditions.

1. The "Shrink Volume" option can only create unallocated space ( or free space if the partition is logic) behind the partition.

2. Sometimes why do you find the "Extend Volume" option is greyed out? Because it can only extend partition into contiguous unallocated space. You can't extend partition unless deleting the next partition. In such case, you must backup data on your partition which is time-consuming and risky to do that.

A Better Solution:

Extend/Expand System Partition in Windows Server 2000/2003/2008 without Losing Data

http://www.partition-magic.org/server/extend-system-partition-c-drive.html

Thanks to Extend System partition windows server 2008, It works for my computer....
http://www.partition-magic.org/server/extend-system-partition-c-drive.html

1. Though windows 2008 server added new shrink and extend feature under disk management, but you cannot extend c drive by shrinking other data partition, except you can "move" the unallocated space to the end of the system drive.
2. Pay attention to your data security. To use third party partition software, you should select the reliable one, before any operations to the server, you'd better backup.

As a technician, I have several experiences doing this, also used several tools. partition magic server is safer, as it integrated snapshot feature, which is very important to keep your data, especially when rebooting to resize partitions.

To shrink and extend partition, it is very easy even for a newbie. see this page http://www.partition-magic-server.com/resource/resize-windows-server-2008-partition.html
note: this is a commercial tool.

To maintain the computer and maximize disk space performance, it's a common need for administrators to resize Windows Server 2008 partition. Third-party software, built-in Disk Management and Diskpart Command Line are available to resize partition for Windows 2008. You can choose the best way to resize Windows 2008 partition!
Step by step instruction: http://www.partition-magic.org/windows-server-2008/windows-server-2008-resize-partition.html

i got an article also about how to resize partitions in server 2008.
hope it can be helpful.
http://www.partition-tool.com/resource/resize-partition-server-2008-64bit.htm

In fact, there are two ways to resize Windows 2008 partition:

1.Disk Management snap-in: With Shrink Volume function, you cannot decrease the allocated space beyond the point where the unmovable files are located. Extend Volume function can only extend partition into contiguous unallocated space which is at the right side of the partition (behind the partition).

2.Partition Magic Server 2008: http://www.partition-magic.org/windows-server-2008/windows-server-2008-resize-partition.html

Want to release more partition space, adjust partition size, delete unnecessary partition, format hard drive and other technical operations for your server hard disk? AOMEI Partition Assistant Lite offers you all necessary partition management functions. See this link: http://www.disk-partition.com/partition-assistant-lite.html