During the process of installing Server and RAID, we have allocated all size of virtual RAID 5 array partitions. However, with installing much many updates or other things, our demand for partition size is changing, especially for system partition. That is to say original partition size is unreasonable. If the system partition is out of space, updates and application programs can not be installed and the whole performance will lower.
Today, I will introduce a partition magic Server which can help us realize virtual RAID 5 partition expansion without formatting, deleting, and reinstalling. To realize partition expansion, we only need to shrink a virtual partition to get unused space used to expand the system partition or other partitions.

Tips on RAID 5 partition expansion
1. Operations on RAID 5 partition expansion are just like operations on hard disk drive, not separating RAID array.
2. If we want to expand dynamic RAID 5 partition, we should convert it into basic one first.
3. If all virtual RAID 5 partitions are short of free space, we should add another disk in the RAID 5 array, and then we can see unallocated space at the end of the virtual disk. At this time, we can use partition magic Server to expand RAID 5 partitions.
Note:
we should make sure that RAID controller is able to install RAID 5 without losing data.

How to expand RAID 5 partitions?
There are two methods:
1. Merge one partition by using another partition.
2. Use shrunk space to expand one partition with MiniTool Partition Wizard Server Edition.
If we merge partitions, data in the partition needed merging will be transferred to the other partition with losing one partition, so I do not suggest using this method. For the second method, it is very easy to operate. To expand partitions, we just need to drag partition handle to get unallocated space by shrinking a current partition. With the unallocated space, we can expand RAID 5 partitions without deleting partitions, formatting partitions or reinstalling Server.
Next, I will take RAID 5 system partition expansion as an example.

Perform virtual RAID 5 system partition expansion with partition magic server:
First, open MiniTool Partition Wizard Server Edition, and then we can see partition properties.



In the above interface, we right click the partition needed shrinking, and then select "Move/Resize" in the popup menu.



Next, we drag the right border rightwards to acquire unallocated space.



Then, we enter to the next interface. Here, unallocated space appears, just like the above interface. Here, we right click the system partition and select "Move/Resize" in the shortcut menu.



Next, drag the right border rightwards to hold the unallocated space.



From the following interface, we can see the system has been expanded. To realize all operations, we should click "Apply" button.
To know more information about this partition magic server, please visit its official website www.partitionwizard.com.