Disk Management Problem

I upgraded Windows 7 to Windows 8 and ran dual boot for a while before making a decision to keep Windows 8. I tried to merge Windows 8 partition with the Unallocated space provided by Windows 7, but somewhere I messed up. Now I have a problem with the space Windows 7 occupied - it is showing as "free space" and I can't seem to get it to merge at all. I have searched the Internet and tried Partition apps, to no avail. Attachment is my current situation - can anyone direct me what I need to do next? Windows 8 is running fine, but I would like to have my disk space back and available Windows 8. Any suggestions will be greatly appreciated.

 

For some reason the attachment didn't get loaded - will try again. Thanks.

 

What is the message when you try and enlarge the partition? Otherwise, maybe just create a partition of the existing free space

 

Another possibility would be to create an image of the Windows 8 partition and restore it to the unallocated space.

This could be much faster that trying to extend the Windows partition to the left. But there could be boot problems, you should be prepared to solve them.

 

Probably a good idea - I have backed up the Windows Partition with MacriumReflect. Do you mean there might be boot problems if I restore the image to the unallocated space?

 

I have managed to get it back into a partition - but still am unsure what I need to do.....

 

What is now in E:? Did you restore the Windows 8 image to it? Did you create a logical partition in the unallocated space?

 

Mission Accomplished - I now have Windows 8 with all my disk space back. Using EaseUS Partition Master (Free) I was able to merge the two partitions and i'm a Happy Camper again. Thanks for your responses to my plea - sometimes I panic before thinking things thru. Your moral support was a help...thanks.

 

John,

I gather you would like to add the free space to the Win8 partition.

Delete the E: partition you just created
Move (Slide) the Win8 partition so there is no "Free Space Before"
The free space now follows the Win8 partition
Resize the Win8 partition to include the free space

I prefer using BIBM but GParted is fine. Make sure you select the MB option.

 

Thanks - got it resolved...