Shrink a partition without losing data
As always:
D O A BACKUP. At least of the sensitive data on the partition, you want to shrink. Neither I, nor geparted can be held responsible if you screw up.
Now to the procedure using gparted:
The picture is a little messy but don't get scared (you'll be moving with your partition to your auntie and uncle in Bel Air. Wait wat? XD). Just stick with this for a moment and follow the instructions below. Start looking at the image in the top right corner. Then follow the numbers in ascending order.
Here is a text version of the steps numbered as in the picture:
- Install gparted /
sudo apt-get install gparted
- Start gparted
- Select the disk in the upper right dropbox
- Select the partition in the main list in the middle
- If mounted: Unmount that partition using the contex menu (right click)
- Click the resize button
- A dialog will pop up
- Resize
- Click "Apply" after double checking your changes. That's it.
This will not work with all partitions. It can be more complicated for Mac partitions or logical volumes.