I installed Zorin OS alongside Windows on a 1 TB SSD while trying Linux for the first time. I only allocated about 36 GB to Zorin, but I'm now comfortable switching to it and want more room for coding projects and Steam games. I've cleared, or am planning to clear, the Windows C: partition. Can I expand the existing Zorin partition safely from Windows, or is there a better way to do this without breaking either operating system?
2 Answers
It depends on where the unallocated space ends up relative to the Zorin partition. A partition can usually be expanded easily into unallocated space immediately after it, but your layout is Windows, then the EFI system partition, then Zorin, followed by the recovery partition. Removing Windows would leave the free space before the EFI and Zorin partitions, so Zorin’s partition cannot simply be expanded into it. You would need to move the EFI partition and possibly the Zorin partition with a live Linux USB running GParted, then resize Zorin. Moving partitions can take a long time and carries some risk, so make a complete backup first.
Do not rely on Windows Disk Management for this. Back up anything important, create a bootable Linux USB containing GParted, boot from it, and inspect the disk there. If you delete the Windows partition, the new free space will be on the left side of the EFI and Zorin partitions, so GParted would have to move partitions before expanding Zorin. Another safer option is to copy your files, reinstall Zorin with the desired partition size, and restore your data. Also keep the EFI partition intact unless you are deliberately rebuilding the boot setup.
My current layout from left to right is about 894 GB NTFS for Windows, a 513 MB EFI System Partition, 35.6 GB for Zorin, and an 853 MB recovery partition. I still need to finish clearing the Windows space.