Reader Support

Why can’t I shrink my SSD?

Having a problem with our recommended software or expert tips? Email editor@computeractive.co.uk and we’ll do our best to help

Q I was interested in Issue 579’s Workshop about movin n ng software to an external l SSD.

So, I purchased a 1TB S andisk external SSD (pictured).) All went well until I began attempts to partition the SSD, as per Step 2 of your instructions. No matter what I tried the Shrink Volume menu item remained greyed out. I checked the other volumes listed and both my external hard drives showed this same option to be active. Rightly or wrongly, I formatted the SSD. Again, no change.

I’ve tried to contact the Sandisk helpline, but with no success. Is it the fact that this Sandisk SSD cannot be partitioned? If so, then I think that Sandisk should make it known to prospective purchasers. I hope that you can help as I am no expert with this technology and am quite prepared to accept that I am doing something wrong. Anthony Hopkin

A You’re not doing anything wrong. However, you’re being tripped up by the fact that many external drives are sold pre-formatted with the EXFAT file system.

This is great for compatibility with a wide range of platforms, from Windows and macos to Linux and beyond. As an external drive might be used with any of these, manufacturers tend to prepare their storage devices accordingly.

However, EXFAT is bad for the particular purpose explained in our How To because Windows’ Disk Management tool is able only to shrink volumes formatted to NTFS.

This is a different file system, and the default for Windows 10. So, while Windows 10 will recognise and work with an EXFAT drive, Disk Management is unable to execute the Shrink Volume commandd on devices formatted with this diifffferent file system. Yoou’ve purchased this SSD ssppecifically for this purpose, so you’ve nothing to lose by re-formatting it to NTFS. To do this, in either Disk Mmaanagement or File Explorer, just right-click your SSD and choose Format from the pop-up menu. Now, next to ‘File system’, click to open the dropdown menu, then choose NTFS, followed by OK.

Why is my version of Edge different to yours?

Q I read Issue 580’s Cover Feature about Microsoft Edge. In this you explain how to check one’s version of Edge by clicking the three dots at the top right before clicking Settings. However, I don’t see anything you describe. What’s up?

Alan D Winter

A All that’s up is that you don’t yet have the revamped Edge browser. We did actually explain that if you don’t see the things we described then you’ll still be on Microsoft’s original (non-chromium) version.

Anyway, to recap, all you need to do is visit www.snipca.com/34346 and click the ‘Get the new Microsoft Edge now’ button (see screenshot below).

Go to Microsoft’s support site to download the new version of Edge

Q Issue 580’s Reader Support section suggested it’s still possible to update a Windows 7 PC to Windows 10 for free. I visited the advised site ( www.snipca.com/34649) but didn’t see a free option. Microsoft’s instructions state that a licence is needed. This seems to require a purchase. I guess it may require my long-lost Windows 7 product key, although there is no reference to this in the instructions. Thank you as always for providing computer novices and oldies like myself with understandable information. John Humphrey

A It is free to update a Windows 7 PC to Windows 10, at least until Microsoft decides otherwise. However, it is upgrades that are free, not brand-new installations for folks that don’t already own a qualifying copy of Windows. So, those that have a copy of Windows 7, 8.0 or 8.1 installed can upgrade to Windows 10 free of charge.

From the mentioned ‘Download Windows 10’ website, you can click the ‘Update now’ button to begin upgrading your Windows 7 PC immediately, or the ‘Download tool now’ button to create an installation disc or USB stick for later use. Both are routes to the free upgrade.

However, you’re also right that a valid product key is required, as you may be prompted to enter this during installation. If you’ve lost that then download Nirsoft’s free Produkey tool, from www.snipca.com/35019. The download link is near the bottom of the page, and is labelled ‘Download Produkey for x64’. Double-click the downloaded file to run Produkey, then wait a few moments while the program interrogates your computer. It will then display a list of all the product keys – so just note down the one for your copy of Windows 7, then you’re good to go with the upgrade to 10.