ntfsresize

resizes NTFS filesystems without data loss

TLDR

Show current size and minimum shrinkable size

$ sudo ntfsresize --info /dev/[sda1]

Perform a dry run of resizing to a specific size

$ sudo ntfsresize --no-action --size [50G] /dev/[sda1]

Resize to a specific size

$ sudo ntfsresize --size [50G] /dev/[sda1]

Expand filesystem to fill the current partition

$ sudo ntfsresize --expand /dev/[sda1]

Check if a device is ready to be resized

$ sudo ntfsresize --check /dev/[sda1]

Force resize bypassing consistency check prompts

$ sudo ntfsresize --force --size [50G] /dev/[sda1]

SYNOPSIS

ntfsresize [options] --info(-mb-only) devicentfsresize [options] [--size size[k|M|G]] device

ntfsresize safely resizes NTFS filesystems without data loss or prior defragmentation. It can shrink or expand volumes on unmounted devices.For shrinking: First resize the filesystem with ntfsresize, then shrink the partition with fdisk or parted.For enlarging: First expand the partition, then use ntfsresize to grow the filesystem (or use --expand).

PARAMETERS

-i, --info

Show volume size and the smallest shrunken size supported.

-m, --info-mb-only

Like --info but only print the shrinkable size in MB.

-s, --size SIZE[k|M|G]

Resize filesystem to SIZE. Modifiers: k (10^3), M (10^6), G (10^9).

-x, --expand

Expand the filesystem to the current partition size.

-c, --check

Check the device is ready to be resized without making changes.

-n, --no-action

Perform a test run without making changes (read-only).

-f, --force

Force operation even if the filesystem is marked for consistency check. Use twice (-ff) to skip all safety checks.

-b, --bad-sectors

Support disks with bad sectors that would otherwise be refused.

-P, --no-progress-bar

Disable the progress bar.

-v, --verbose

Increase output verbosity.

-V, --version

Display version number and exit.

-h, --help

Display help message and exit.

TYPICAL WORKFLOW

$ # 1. Check filesystem
ntfsfix /dev/sda1

# 2. Get info
ntfsresize --info /dev/sda1

# 3. Resize filesystem
ntfsresize --size 50G /dev/sda1

# 4. Resize partition (separate step)
parted /dev/sda resizepart 1 50G

CAVEATS

The volume must be unmounted before resizing. Back up important data first. Partition resize is a separate step. After resizing, Windows will schedule a consistency check (chkdsk) on next boot. Running from a Live USB is recommended.

HISTORY

ntfsresize is part of ntfs-3g, developed by Szabolcs Szakacsits and others, providing safe NTFS resizing on Linux.