How to Resize Partitions with `gparted` on Arch Linux

Disk management is a critical skill for any Linux user. Whether you’re optimizing storage space, dual-booting, or reallocating free space among partitions, resizing partitions is a common and necessary task. On Arch Linux, while many users are comfortable with command-line tools like parted or fdisk, a graphical partition editor such as GParted provides a user-friendly and visual approach. In this article, we will explore how to safely and effectively resize partitions using gparted on Arch Linux.

What is GParted?

GParted (GNOME Partition Editor) is a free and open-source graphical tool for managing disk partitions. It allows users to perform operations such as creating, deleting, resizing, moving, checking, and copying partitions and file systems. Under the hood, it uses tools like parted, ntfsresize, e2fsprogs, and others, depending on the file systems involved.

GParted supports a wide variety of file systems, including:

• ext2, ext3, ext4
• Btrfs
• XFS
• NTFS
• FAT16/FAT32
• exFAT
• LVM (to a limited extent)

Precautions Before You Begin

Resizing partitions, like any operation that alters disk structure, carries some risk. A power outage, hardware failure, or incorrect usage can lead to data loss. To minimize risks, follow these precautions:

1. Backup Important Data: Always back up important files to another drive, cloud storage, or external medium before resizing.
2. Close Running Applications: Ensure no programs are using the drive you’re modifying.
3. Use a Live Environment for System Partitions: If you need to resize your root or any mounted partition, it’s best to boot from a Live ISO to avoid modifying a mounted file system.
4. Check and Repair File Systems First: Use tools like e2fsck (for ext-based systems) before resizing to fix any inconsistencies.

Step-by-Step Guide to Resizing Partitions with GParted

Step 1: Install GParted on Arch Linux

GParted is available in the official Arch repositories. To install it, use pacman:

sudo pacman -S gparted

Step 2: Run GParted

To launch GParted, you need root privileges. You can run it from a terminal with:

sudo gparted

Or use a graphical launcher if your desktop environment supports it (e.g., via a menu entry like System Tools > GParted).

GParted will prompt you to select a device (like /dev/sda, /dev/nvme0n1, etc.) upon startup.

Tip: If you’re resizing system partitions, consider booting into a live USB (e.g., Arch ISO or a GParted Live ISO) and running GParted from there.

Step 3: Select the Target Drive

In the top-right corner of the GParted interface, you’ll find a drop-down menu where you can select the disk that contains the partition you want to resize.

For example:

• /dev/sda – Common for SATA drives
• /dev/nvme0n1 – Common for NVMe SSDs

Click to select the correct disk.

Step 4: Analyze Existing Partitions

You’ll now see a visual representation of the disk layout. Each block represents a partition, along with information like:

• Mount point
• File system
• Size
• Used/Free space
• Flags (boot, esp, etc.)

Identify the partition you wish to resize. Keep in mind:

• You can only resize unmounted partitions.
• To increase a partition’s size, you must have unallocated space adjacent to it.

Step 5: Unmount the Partition (If Needed)

If the partition is currently mounted, right-click on it and choose Unmount.

You cannot resize a partition that is in use. For root partitions or active swap partitions, this operation must be performed from a live USB.

Step 6: Resize or Move the Partition

Right-click on the partition and choose Resize/Move. A window will pop up allowing you to:

• Drag the ends of the partition to increase or decrease size.
• Manually enter size values, such as:
  • New size (MB)
  • Free space before
  • Free space after

Adjust the size as needed. For example:

• To shrink a partition, reduce its size from the right side.
• To grow a partition, ensure there is unallocated space adjacent to the side you want to extend.

Click Resize/Move when done.

Step 7: Apply Changes

The changes you made are not yet written to disk. GParted queues the operation, allowing you to preview and cancel if needed.

Click the green check mark (✓) in the toolbar to apply all pending operations. You’ll be asked to confirm. Once confirmed, GParted will execute the resize operation.

During this time:

• Do not close GParted.
• Do not reboot or power off your machine.
• Be patient, especially for large partitions — resizing can take time.

Step 8: Optional – Check File System Integrity

After resizing, it’s a good idea to check the file system for integrity.

For example, if you resized an ext4 partition:

sudo e2fsck -f /dev/sdXn

Replace /dev/sdXn with the appropriate partition identifier (e.g., /dev/sda2).

Step 9: (Optional) Update GRUB

If you resized partitions that affect your boot layout (like the EFI System Partition or root partition), it might be wise to update GRUB:

sudo grub-mkconfig -o /boot/grub/grub.cfg

Also, update your /etc/fstab file if mount points or UUIDs changed. You can check partition UUIDs using:

lsblk -f

Using GParted Live for System Partition Resizing

For operations on system partitions, the safest method is to boot into GParted Live — a minimal Linux distribution that runs entirely from RAM and comes with GParted pre-installed.

Steps

1. Download the GParted Live ISO from the official site: https://gparted.org/download.php
2. Use a tool like balenaEtcher or dd to write it to a USB stick.
3. Boot from the USB.
4. Run GParted and follow the same resizing steps outlined above.

This eliminates the risk of modifying a partition that’s in use.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

GParted Doesn’t Show My Disk

Make sure GParted is running as root. If you still don’t see your drive:

• It may be encrypted (e.g., LUKS). Decrypt it first.
• It may be managed by LVM or RAID. GParted has limited support here.

Resize Fails Midway

• This may happen due to bad sectors or power interruptions. Run a file system check (e2fsck, ntfsfix, etc.) and try again.

Cannot Resize Due to “Busy” Partition

• Ensure the partition is unmounted.
• Use swapoff -a to disable swap if resizing a swap partition.
• Boot from a live ISO for root or active partitions.

Conclusion

Resizing partitions with GParted on Arch Linux is a relatively straightforward task, especially with its intuitive graphical interface. Whether you’re reclaiming unused space, extending a root volume, or preparing for dual-boot setups, GParted provides a reliable and visual way to manage your partitions. Remember to always back up your data, work from a live environment when needed, and double-check changes before applying them.

By mastering tools like GParted, Arch Linux users gain greater control over their storage and system configuration — a hallmark of the Arch philosophy: simplicity, flexibility, and user centrality.