Why Can’t I Shrink My Drive More Than 34.28 GB?

For Linux, you really don't need a huge amount of space. Just 100 GB is usually plenty! You could also free up space by reducing the size of your Windows recycle bin and page file or cleaning up temporary files. After that, try defragmenting the drive before partitioning again. Another option is to install Linux on a USB drive; this way, you can use the whole SSD for Windows.

Have you considered just installing the Linux distro first? Many of them can handle partitioning during installation. I had success with Ubuntu, but you might run into issues if BitLocker is enabled, so just a heads up!

First off, check how much free space you have on your SSD. If hibernation or fast startup is turned on, that can create a file that can't be moved, limiting your partitioning options. Using GParted from a Linux USB can be a better approach. Just back everything up first! After you shrink the partition, reboot into Windows and see if it all checks out before installing Linux.

You might hit a wall because shrinking partitions isn't always straightforward. Try using Macrium Reflect to image your drive first, then restore it while adjusting your partitions. It's much safer than trying to change partition info directly, which can lead to corruption.