To store files and data in an organized manner, Windows allows you to create partitions (usually known as drives). However, there could come a scenario where you do not wish to have the division anymore since it is filled with unimportant data.

Otherwise, when you wish to expand a partition but do not have any unallocated space available, one workaround is to delete a partition to add more space to the existing one. Whatever your purpose may be, Windows makes it very convenient by providing a built-in tool.

There are multiple ways you can do it, and for your ease of convenience, all of the methods will be discussed in the guide.

1. Using the Disk Management Utility

Disk Management utility allows you to resize, partition, and even create and manage virtual hard drives. It is the simplest method of the lot.

First, head to the Start Menu and type Disk Management to perform a search. Then, from the search results, click on the ‘Create and format hard disk partitions’ tile.

Now, right-click on the desired drive and select the ‘Delete Volume’ option. Make sure there is no important data present in the drive before proceeding.

An alert will appear on your screen. Click on the ‘Yes’ button to confirm the deletion.

Once the drive is deleted, you will be able to see the equivalent unallocated space available on your system.

2. Using Diskpart Command

If you are well versed with the command-line tools and prefer them over GUI, this method will definitely suit you well. Moreover, even if you do not know anything about command line tools and at the same time the ‘Disk Management utility’ method is not working for you, this method will save your day.

First, head to the Start Menu and type Command Prompt to perform a search. Then, from the search results, right-click on the ‘Command Prompt’ tile and click on the ‘Run as administrator’ option.

Now, a UAC (User Account Control) window will appear on your screen. If you are not logged in with an admin account, enter the credentials for one. Otherwise, click on the ‘Yes’ button.

Now, type or copy+paste the below-mentioned command and hit Enter to execute.

diskpart

Afterward, type or copy+paste the below-mentioned command and hit Enter. This will list all the available volumes.

list volume

Now, from the list, determine the desired volume that you wish to delete and execute the below-mentioned command to select it.

select volume <volume number>

Note: Change the <volume number> placeholder with the actual volume number as shown in the screenshot.

Finally, type or copy+paste the below-mentioned command and hit Enter. This will permanently delete the partition.

delete volume

3. Using Windows PowerShell

In case both the above-mentioned methods are not working, you can be sure that this one will serve you well. Though there is no GUI-based utility, it is simple and easy to follow.

First, head to the Start Menu and type Terminal to perform a search. Then, from the search results, right-click on the ‘Terminal’ tile and select the ‘Run as administrator’ option.

After that, a UAC (User Account Control) window will appear on your screen. If you are not logged in with an admin account, enter the credentials for one. Otherwise, click on the ‘Yes’ button.

Now, in the PowerShell window, type or copy+paste the below-mentioned command and hit Enter to execute.

Get-Volume

Afterward, identify the partition you wish to remove and type or copy+paste the below-mentioned command and hit Enter to proceed.

Remove-Partition -DriveLetter -<drive letter>

Note: Change the <drive letter> placeholder with the actual alphabet denoting the drive on your system in the above code.

Finally, hit Y on your keyboard and press Enter to commence the deletion process.


There you go, folks. Deleting a partition when you are running low on disk storage or wish to expand an existing drive can be very resourceful. And deleting one using the methods mentioned above is a breeze.