How to merge C and D drives in Windows 11 in three steps?

Managing files on a Windows computer can feel like a full-time job. People are downloading tons of files these days, and it can be overwhelming trying to figure out where everything is.

You can try various methods to clean your hard drive, such as using a Recycle Bin cleaner to clear unnecessary files. There is another, least common attempt, and that is to merge drivers.

Why do you need to merge two drives?

Before we get into how to merge the C: and D: drives, let’s review why you want to do it. Believe it or not, there are many benefits to doing this:

• It frees up a lot of space on your computer – By far, this is the biggest benefit of fusing two drives. Of course, you can uninstall apps one by one, but merging is a faster method.
• It helps organize your hard drive – Using certain software to erase a hard drive can be a rather extreme method. Combination drives are a more controlled method of organization.
• Consolidation Creates More Space - At some point, you will run out of space on your hard drive. Even if the new partition cannot be created, merging can resolve the issue.

How to merge your C and D drives on Windows?

There are only a few ways to merge two drives, and it can be tricky. There are no easy solutions. However, there are a few things we recommend you do before merging:

• The first thing you should do is update your system. Install any hotfixes recently rolled out by Microsoft. They can save you from dealing with corrupted files later.
• It is also strongly recommended that you back up your files. There are two ways to do this: through native Windows 11 functionality or through some third-party software.

1. Back up files

1. Launch the Settings app and go to the Account tab.
2. Next, click Windows Backup.
3. On the next page, you can allow OneDrive to save your folders and which app logins will be remembered. To configure everything, select Manage sync settings.
4. In the new window, select the folder you want to back up to OneDrive. Click When ReadyStartBackup.

Backing up your files needs to be the first thing you do. If you make any mistakes, file gets corrupted or something goes wrong, you can restore your old files and start over.

2. Extend the volume through Disk Management

1. Launch the Disk Management application from the Windows search bar.
2. Right click on the partition you want to extend.
3. If an entry is grayed out, there is no free space. You can free up space by first selecting Delete Volume.
4. Right-click the partition again and select Expand Volume.
5. Click Next in the Extend Volume Wizard.
6. In the following window, select the amount of drive space you want to use to extend the volume. It is recommended that you use all available space.
7. Click Next when finished, then Finish on the window.

3. Use third-party software to merge drives

1. You can use many different applications to merge drives. For this guide, Mini Tool Partition Wizard will be used.
2. Install the application and launch it once completed.
3. Select C: drive in the middle menu and click Partition on the left.
4. A new window will appear. C: drive selected. Click Next.
5. In the following window, select the D: drive or any other drive you want to merge. Click to finish.
6. Click Apply in the upper left corner to save changes.

If you want to learn more about other similar applications, check out our list of the seven best partition manager software.

What should I do if the hard drive does not show its full capacity?

Some users have complained that their hard drives do not show their total capacity in disk management applications. This serious problem may indicate a faulty software or internal damage.

If it is a software problem, it is recommended that you update the hard drive driver and reformat it. But if it's damaged, it's best to take it back to the manufacturer or have it repaired somewhere.

Also, you should know about the best defragmentation software. Fragmented files can cause various performance issues. Defragmentation reorganizes them to improve performance.

Some of the best include Iobit Smart Defrag and CCleaner. Note that these apps are available for Windows 10 and 11, so don't worry if the software only indicates the former.

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