# How to shrink partitions

**Last Updated On**: 04 Dec 2025  
**3 minutes read**

This document will explain the steps to shrink partitions. Shrinking can be done in two ways,

- Using Windows interface
- Using command line interface

## Important

Following points are to be noted before shrinking partitions,

- You must be a member of Backup Operators or Administrators group, at minimum, to complete these steps.
- You can only shrink basic volumes that have no file system or that use the NTFS file system.
- You cannot shrink system hidden or internal partitions.
- Shrinking is done based on Windows policy, hence the partitions cannot be shrunk beyond the limit.

## Using Windows Interface

To shrink a basic volume partition using windows interface, follow the steps given below,

1. Run **_diskmgmt.msc_** and open disk manager.
2. You will be able to view the available partition volumes now. Right-click the basic volume that you want to shrink.
3. Click Shrink Volume and follow the on screen instructions to complete the shrinking process.

## Using a Command line interface

To shrink a basic volume using a command line interface follow the steps given below,

1. Open a command prompt and run command **_diskpart_**.
2. At the DISKPART prompt, type `list volume`. Decide on the number of the simple volumes you want to shrink.
3. Now type `select volume <volumenumber>`. This will select the simple volume's volume number you want to shrink.
4. Type `shrink [desired=<desiredsize>] [minimum=<minimumsize>]`. This will shrink the selected volume to desired size in megabytes (MB) or to minimum size if desired size is too large.