Ubuntu – Can’t resize Ubuntu partition

dual-bootgpartedpartitioning

My GParted image:

My GParted image

I have Ubuntu on dual-boot with Windows, but I started to need more free space for Ubuntu so I shrank the Windows partition (sda2). But I can't use the unallocated space that I have now, because it`s to the left of the Ubuntu partition (sda5) and GParted doesn't allow me to extend it to the left or the right. I can only shrink the Ubuntu partition.

How exactly can I proceed in order to use that unallocated space for Ubuntu?

Best Answer

The Ubuntu partition sda5 is a secondary partition to the primary partition sda4 so you can't resize sda5 beyond the size of sda4

To resize the Ubuntu partition, you must first resize sda4 by extending it into the free space you have created. Then the next step is to extend sda5 to use up the extra spaces in sda4. You can do this in gparted and apply the change in one go.

Here are the steps:

  1. Move the sda3 partition so that the free space is after sda3 (not before it like it is shown now).
  2. Resize sda4 into the free space before it (by extending sda4). Be sure not to select sda5 by mistake as it is just an outline surrounding sda5.
  3. Lastly, resize sda5 to fill up the larger sda4 partition you have created.
  4. Now, apply the changes.

Good luck.

PS: Should backup important stuff in case things go wrong.

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