Increasing Disk Size on Windows OS

1. Purpose: The purpose of this SOP is to provide step-by-step instructions on how to increase the disk size on a Windows operating system. By following this procedure, users will be able to expand their existing disk storage capacity to accommodate growing data requirements.

2. Scope: This SOP applies to Windows operating systems, including Windows 10, Windows Server, and other versions that support the disk management features outlined in this procedure.

3. Pre-requisites: Before proceeding with the disk size increase, ensure the following requirements are met:

• Administrative access to the Windows system

• Sufficient disk space on the physical or virtual storage medium (e.g., additional hard disk, RAID, or SAN)

• Understanding of basic disk management concepts

4. Procedure:

Step 1: Preparation a. Identify the disk that needs to be expanded. You can do this by opening the Disk Management utility.

• Press Windows key + R, type "diskmgmt.msc,"and press Enter.

Step 2: Create or Attach Additional Disk a. If you are using a physical disk, install the new hard disk following the manufacturer's instructions. b. For virtual environments, attach an additional virtual hard disk to the virtual machine.

• This step may vary depending on the virtualization platform being used (e.g., VMware, Hyper-V).

Step 3: Initialize the New Disk

• Open Disk Management.

• Press Windows key + R, type "diskmgmt.msc," and press Enter.

• Locate the new unallocated disk. It should be labeled as "Unknown" and have a black bar.

• Right-click on the new disk and select "Initialize Disk."

• Choose the disk you want to initialize and select the appropriate partition style (MBR or GPT).

• Click "OK" to initialize the disk.

Step 4: Create a New Partition

• Right-click on the unallocated space of the new disk and select &quote. New Simple Volume.

• Follow the on-screen instructions in the New Simple Volume Wizard to create a new partition.

• Assign a drive letter or mount path.

• Format the partition using the desired file system (e.g., NTFS).

• Label the partition (optional).

• Set allocation unit size (default is recommended).

Step 5: Extend Existing Partition

• Open Disk Management. Press Windows key + R, type & quote "diskmgmt.msc," and press Enter.

• Locate the partition you want to extend (usually the system partition or data partition).

• Right-click on the partition you want to extend and select "Extend Volume".

• Follow the instructions in the Extend Volume Wizard to add the new partition space to the existing partition.

• Select the available space from the new disk.

• Choose the amount of space you want to extend.

• Review the summary and click & Finish.

Step 6: Verification

• After the extension process is complete, verify that the partition size has been increased.

• Open File Explorer, right-click on the partition, and select "Properties."

• Check the total size to confirm it matches the new disk size.

5. Documentation: Upon completion of the disk size increase, document the changes made, including the disk details, partition changes, and any additional notes, in the system

documentation or change management system.

Note: This SOP provides a general guideline for increasing disk size on a Windows operating system. Actual steps and options may vary depending on the specific Windows version and environment configuration. Always ensure you have a backup of critical data before performing any disk-related operations to mitigate potential risks.