How to shrink Windows partition with unmovable files in dual boot installation [closed]
Just had the same problem, but the instructions in Working around Windows' "Shrink Volume" inadequacies worked well for me. (The title mentions Vista, but it worked well for Windows 7 too.)
It's a bit long to repeat here, but the main points are
- Close every program you can (any file currently in use is treated as unmovable, including browser cache files)
- Run the Windows Disk Cleanup Wizard
- Disable pagefile, kernel memory dump, system restore and hibernation (the primary system level unmovable files)
- Run a defragmenter that can move files to the start of the disk
On a 60 GB SSD with about 35 GB free space, "Shrink Volume" in Windows 7 initially freed a paltry 100 MB, but following the steps in the article it was able to free the whole 35 GB.
See also the ubuntuguide.org documentation on multiple OS installation.
The old fashioned way before Windows finally came up with their own resize tool: gparted. Best done from the live cd.
There's a great defrag utility for Windows that can move all the files to the front of the disk, as well the little bit of space used between files (interstice problem): dirms (dirms-cl).
Running the defrag in safe mode may help with the unmovable file. Of course, what will certainly help is to make sure the filesystem is not in use before defragmenting (by booting Windows from CD/DVD or by using another computer for the defrag operation).
Does not work with Windows 7.