Can't Shrink the 3 TB USB Drive, How to Fix?


I have a 3TB USB drive with a single partition, and I want to shrink it to create a second partition. However, I can only shrink 700 MB, while the hard drive showed 1.2 TB is available to shrink. What should I do?

The Windows built-in tool will not let you shrink the disk as there are system files, which you need to seek the help of third-party software. Qiling Disk Master is the expert in coping with the inability to shrink volume issue. Its "Resize/Move" tool allows users to extend, shrink, and remove partitions easily.

Follow the instructions below to shrink the 3 TB USB drive:

Step 1. Locate and select the target partition by right-clicking it and selecting "Resize/Move".

Step 2. Drag your mouse to adjust the shrink size of the target partition.

Step 3. Execute the operation by clicking "Proceed" button.

Beyond the Windows limitations, the bad sectors on your USB drive can also lead to the "can't shrink the 3 TB USB drive" problem. In this case, you can run CHKDSK commands in the Command Prompt to repair:

  • Click the Start button, enter cmd, and run it as an administrator.
  • In the command prompt window, write chkdsk DriveLetter: /r and hit "Enter" to locate and repair bad sectors on your USB drive.

Read and learn the passage below to explore more information about CHKDSK commands.

Read More: Run CHKDSK to Repair Hard Drive

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