You deleted a partition and are now unable to boot into Windows 10?
You deleted a partition and are now unable to boot into Windows 10?
I had a dual-boot configuration with two SSD partitions—one for Windows 7 and another for Windows 10. Initially, I was allowed to choose between them. After some adjustments using Disk Management, I merged the free space with the Windows 10 partition. When I attempted to restart, the system wouldn’t boot anymore. I tried using a USB Windows 10 Media Creation Tool to repair the setup, but it didn’t work. Now I’m left with no other options besides a full reinstallation.
You might need to use diskpart in the Windows install media to form a small boot partition on the drive. It can be challenging, but you should manage to boot again. In case of trouble, back up your files and try anew. Don't worry about backing up just for safety before starting anything.
I analyzed a sequence of steps involving launching the USB Windows 10 Media Creation Tool, navigating command prompts, and using DISKPART. Initially, the system detected the Windows 10 partition but encountered an error during the bootrec /fixboot command ("Element not found"). After restarting the computer with the USB drive connected again, the operating system appeared, allowing me to click "Repair" successfully. Despite this, I still face issues: the system boots, but one partition has free space while another holds Windows 10. I need guidance on merging the free space into the active Windows 10 partition without triggering another boot error. The unallocated space was previously used for a deleted Windows 7 installation.
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It has been resolved in a somewhat indirect manner. Once Windows 10 started again, I needed to back up the drive with all its contents—files, folders, and applications—before making any further changes or errors. I used Disk Genius; the screenshot shows it moved the unallocated space behind the partition containing Windows 10. After cloning, I accessed Windows Disk Management, selected the Windows 10 partition, and chose "Extend volume..." to add the available space to the C partition, a step I couldn’t complete at first. I assumed removing the Windows 7 partition would allow booting since the other partition still had Windows 10, but I wasn’t sure why that would work.