How to extend C drive without system becoming unbootable?

[shmu26]

I split my SSD into two partitions. After a Windows 10 feature update, a new recovery partition was placed in the middle, between the two.
I used a 3rd party partition tool to delete this new recovery partition as well as the partition to the right of it. (I made a system image beforehand)
Then I used the native Windows disk manager to expand the C drive.
Result: unbootable system. Windows Recovery environment and also Macrium Reflect were unable to fix the boot. I restored my system successfully from the system image, but what went wrong, and is there anything to do about it?
Should I disconnect my second hard drive (used for data storage), and then reset the main hard drive, and then reimage it? Will this work, and is there a better way?

 

[shmu26]

Nope, this did not work. Reset put the recovery partition in the same place as before.
I probably would have to wipe the disk with Gparted or something like that.
This is so messy. No better way to do it?

 

[madmatt30]

Easeus partirion tool or partition mamager & movebthe recovery partition to the end of the drive - shpuld be a simple drag & drop process.

 

[shmu26]

The problem comes when I then expand the C drive. It can't boot, and even Macrium Reflect boot fixer tool doesn't work, because it can't see the Windows folder for some reason.

 

[madmatt30]

So you've actually tried moving ,rather than deleting it ??

 

[shmu26]

Okay, now I understand what you are getting at. So the idea would be to shrink the second partition a little, on the right, to make room over there to move the recovery partition.
Alternatively, I could delete the two dead recovery partitions that are already over there, and that will make plenty of room.

 

[shmu26]

Hmm, I am using Aomei Partition Assistant, and the option for moving partition is greyed out for the recovery partition. I made room for it, but it doesn't want to move to its new home.

 

[madmatt30]

Try the easeus partition software , its free to use & it's done this exact job in the past for me

 

[shmu26]

Roger. Downloading it.

 

[madmatt30]

Do you have any win 10 boot media ??the reason I have is because that recovery partition contains windows system repair.

After moving the recovery partition & extending your main partition you may have to run windows startup repair on reboot.

Because you've moved that partition , on reboot it will not enter repair - booting from a windows install disk will allow you access to it.

 

[shmu26]

Yes, I made a Windows recovery USB with system data and everything.
I am trying to move this stubborn partition using EaseUS, but when I click okay, it doesn't go into pending operations.
See screenshot
https://www.dropbox.com/s/bsjldo07hz6ytg5/Capture.PNG?dl=0

 

[madmatt30]

You are resizing the wrong side of the v drive partition.

You need to shrink it down the opposite side (use the left hand slider to shrink) so that the unallocated space is directly to the right of the 450mb recovery partition

You will then be able to move the recovery partition to the right of the unallocated space.

You can only move an active partition past unallocated disk space.

 

[shmu26]

Yeah, that worked. Thanks for all your help!!