Solved the Windows Shrink Volume Problem Using AOMEI Partition Assistant to Install Linux Mint

balaji s — Sun, 12 Jul 2026 17:37:25 +0000

Recently, I wanted to install Linux Mint Cinnamon alongside Windows 11 on my Samsung Galaxy Book2 Pro 360. Since my laptop had only a single C: drive, I needed to shrink the Windows partition and create 100 GB of unallocated space for Linux.

At first, I thought Windows Disk Management would be enough. However, I encountered one of the most common Windows partitioning errors:

You cannot shrink a volume beyond the point where any unmovable files are located.
Although my C: drive had 147 GB of free space, Windows only allowed me to shrink 653 MB.

Problem Begins

When I opened Disk Management Right Click C: → Shrink Volume Windows calculated the available shrink space as only 653 MB instead of the expected 100 GB.

Why Does This Happen?

Windows stores several system files near the end of the partition.

Page File (pagefile.sys)
Hibernation File (hiberfil.sys)
Master File Table (MFT)
System Restore data
NTFS Metadata

Windows Disk Management cannot move these files.

Even if available of free space exists, the partition cannot be shrunk beyond the last unmovable file.

What I Tried Before Using AOMEI

Before installing any third-party software, I tried every recommended Windows method.

1. Disabled Hibernation

Opened Command Prompt as Administrator.
powercfg -h off
This removed the hibernation file.

2. Disabled Page File

Open run window sysdm.cpl Navigated to

Advanced
→ Performance
→ Settings
→ Advanced
→ Virtual Memory

It disabled paging temporarily then Restarted Windows.

3. Disabled System Protection

Opened System Protection then Turned off Restore Points temporarily.
again Restarted Windows.

4. Defragmented Free Space

Run defrag C: /X The result showed:
Largest Free Space = 65.92 GB
Although free space became more contiguous, Windows still could not shrink the partition to the required size.

5. Tried Safe Mode

Enabled Safe Mode using msconfigthen Restarted Windows.
Unfortunately,
Disk Management still could not shrink the partition because the Master File Table (MFT) remained unmovable.

Why I Chose AOMEI Partition Assistant

At this point, it became clear that Windows Disk Management had reached its limitations.

I researched several partition management tools and selected AOMEI Partition Assistant Standard for the following reasons:

Free for personal use
User-friendly interface
Supports resizing the Windows system partition
Can move unmovable system files
Uses Windows PE mode for safe partition operations
Excellent success rate reported by users
Supports GPT/UEFI systems

Unlike Windows Disk Management, AOMEI performs partition operations before Windows fully loads, allowing it to relocate files that Windows normally locks.

AOMEI Partition Assistant Tool

Step 1

Download and install
AOMEI Partition Assistant Standard from following link: https://www.aomeitech.com/llyy/download/aomei-partition-software.html

Step 2

Select shrinking disk from partition list

Select Resize/Move Partition from properties

Step 3

Drag the partition slider.
I reduced the partition size from 457 GB to 357 GB
This creates 100 GB Unallocated Space
Finally I review the pending operation then layout should show
C: 357 GB
Unallocated: 100 GB
Nothing is changed yet because my linux installation take to choose format options.

Step 4

AOMEI detects that the Windows system partition is being modified.

It displays Restart into Windows PE Mode
so Select that one then Click -> OK

Step 5

The computer restarts. Instead of loading Windows immediately, AOMEI boots into its own Windows PE environment. It safely moves the unmovable system files. This process took around 10–20 minutes on my SSD.
After restart windows I am opening Disk Management it showed 100GB unallocated exactly as my planned.

Installing Linux Mint

Instead of formatting the new space as NTFS, I left it as Unallocated.
Then I booted using the Linux Mint USB installer.
During installation, I selected Something Else option
Created an Ext4 partition using the 100 GB unallocated space.

Reused the existing EFI System Partition without formatting it.

Finally my installation completed successfully.
Now my laptop have dual boots:

Windows 11
Linux Mint Cinnamon

DEV Community: balaji s