How to Merge Disk Partitions Without Losing Data

How do you merge disk partitions in Windows 11/10/8/7? Can you merge two disk partitions without losing data? EaseUS Software provides two options (EaseUS Partition Master and Disk Management) to help merge both adjacent and non-adjacent partitions, and below we offer step-by-step guides to ensure a smooth process without data loss.

How to merge disk partitions

Merging disk partitions is useful to optimize disk space, especially when managing multiple partitions on a single disk. However, Windows Disk Management can only merge adjacent partitions, and it requires deleting a partition during the process, which will cause data loss. Besides, you may encounter an “extend volume grayed out” error if the unallocated partition is non-adjacent to the target partition.

Fortunately, EaseUS Partition Master is an ideal solution for merging disk partitions without losing data. Check the table below to learn more about the difference between the two disk management tools.

Method 1. Merge partitions without losing data

EaseUS Partition Master Professional comes with a “merge partitions” feature and can merge both adjacent partitions and non-adjacent partitions. Without deleting any partition, you can merge two partitions into one.

• Compatibility: Works perfectly on Windows 11/10/8/7
• Data Loss: Merge partitions without losing data (no need to delete a partition)
• Key Features: Merge adjacent partitions; merge non-adjacent or separate partitions
• Interface: Well organized and clear
• Operational Difficulty: Easy. Merge partitions without typing any command lines
• Storage Devices Supported: Merge partitions on an external hard drive, SD card, USB, SSD, and HDD

Here are two methods for merging partitions on a disk:

Guide 1. Merge adjacent partitions

When the two partitions are adjacent, EaseUS Partition Master can merge them without deleting any partition. Here’s how to achieve this:

Step 1. Launch EaseUS Partition Master, navigate to the “Partition Manager” section, right-click on the partition you want to keep and select “Merge” from the context menu.

Step 2. Select the adjacent partition you want to merge into the target partition and click “OK”.

Step 3. Click the “Execute Task” button and then click “Apply”. This will merge the space and files to the partition you want to keep.

Guide 2. Merge non-adjacent/separate partitions

EaseUS Partition Master can merge non-adjacent partitions that are separated by a recovery partition or other partitions. Here’s how to achieve this:

Step 1. Open EaseUS Partition Master and go to the “Partition Manager” section.

Step 2. Right-click the partition you want to keep and select “Merge”.

Step 3. Choose the non-adjacent partition you want to merge into the target partition and click “OK”.

Step 4. Click the “Execute Task” button and then click “Apply”. Wait for it to finish. This will combine two separate partitions without deleting any data.

Method 2. Merge disk partitions via Disk Management [with data loss]

Disk Management doesn’t directly support merging two partitions. It can combine partitions only if there is unallocated space on the right side of the target partition. Hence, you need to delete a partition to create an unallocated partition first.

????Data Loss Warning: Back up data before you begin – deleting a partition will remove all data from it.

Here’s how to merge two partitions using Disk Management:

Step 1. Open Disk Management and locate the two partitions you want to merge. (Identify which partition you want to keep and which partition you want to delete. For example, if you want to merge C and D, you need to verify whether to keep C or D.)

Step 2. Right-click the partition you want to delete and select Delete Volume. Confirm your action by clicking Yes. (This will delete all data on that partition, so ensure you have backed up any important files.)

Step 3. Reload the disk information, right-click on the partition you want to merge, and select “Extend Volume”. Then, type the amount of unallocated space (in MB) you want to merge into the target partition.

Step 4. Click “Next” and then “Finish” to merge the two partitions into one.

Conclusion

This post covers two ways to merge disk partitions in Windows 11/10/8/7. EaseUS Partition Master stands out for its ability to merge both adjacent and non-adjacent partitions without losing any data or deleting existing partitions. On the other hand, Disk Management can’t merge partitions directly without unallocated space on the right side of the partition you want to extend. Hence, for beginners, EaseUS Partition Master is the safer and more user-friendly option.