Partition Root Volume of EBS Volume while Creating EC2 Instance (Windows & Linux)

Question

When we provision an EC2 instance (say Windows with t2.micro), I get a 30GB EBS volume. Even if the OS takes 10 to 15 GB, I want to create a 10GB partition out of that 30GB and use it as D drive (example). Is this achievable?

I saw a similar question, but it is also not answered.
[https://repost.aws/questions/QUsg638lebSeet0x6CtXbmQQ/partitioning-the-ebs-root-volume-of-an-aws-ec2-instance](https://repost.aws/questions/QUsg638lebSeet0x6CtXbmQQ/partitioning-the-ebs-root-volume-of-an-aws-ec2-instance)

Accepted Answer

Hello,

As this is the root volume one option would be to create a golden image (AMI) with your requirements. I have not validated it but in general you can shrink the partition in Windows through the Disk Management. A generic step-by-step process could look like

1. Back up your data (if this is a new empty instance ignore this step)
2. Open Disk Management
3. Shrink the C drive: In Disk Management, right-click on the C drive and select "Shrink Volume." Enter the amount you want to shrink the C drive by (in this case, 20 GB). The utility will calculate the maximum amount of space that can be shrunk based on available free space. After specifying the desired size, click "Shrink."
4. Create a new partition: You will now have unallocated space on your disk. Right-click on the unallocated space and select "New Simple Volume." The New Simple Volume Wizard will appear. Follow the wizard's instructions to assign a drive letter (e.g., D) and format the new partition using the desired file system (e.g., NTFS). Complete the wizard to create the new D drive.

Then create an AMI and use it for your new instances.

Other approach - NOT TESTED - not sure if works - use it at your own risk - would be to run a PowerShell Script as UserData on launch:

```

Install-Module -Name Storage

# Get the disk to resize
$disk = Get-Disk | Where-Object { $_.PartitionStyle -eq 'RAW' }

# Get the existing partition (C drive)
$partition = Get-Partition -DiskNumber $disk.Number | Where-Object { $_.DriveLetter -eq 'C' }

# Resize the existing partition to 30GB
$targetSizeGB = 30
Resize-Partition -PartitionNumber $partition.PartitionNumber -Size ($targetSizeGB * 1GB)

# Create a new partition (D drive) with the remaining space
New-Partition -DiskNumber $disk.Number -UseMaximumSize -AssignDriveLetter -IsActive
Format-Volume -DriveLetter D -FileSystem NTFS -Confirm:$false

```

This would allow on-launch partition resize but as mentioned not tested.

Answer

```

# Get the disk to resize
$disk = Get-Disk | Where-Object { $_.PartitionStyle -eq 'MBR' }

# Get the existing partition (C drive)
$partition = Get-Partition -DiskNumber $disk.Number | Where-Object { $_.DriveLetter -eq 'C' }

# Resize the existing partition to 20GB
$targetSizeGB = 20
Resize-Partition -DiskNumber $disk.Number -PartitionNumber $partition.PartitionNumber -Size ($targetSizeGB * 1GB)

# Create a new partition (D drive) with the remaining space
New-Partition -DiskNumber $disk.Number -UseMaximumSize -AssignDriveLetter -IsActive
Format-Volume -DriveLetter D -FileSystem NTFS -Confirm:$false

```

Answer

You cannot partition the volume on instance creation. Additionally for something like Windows if you created a 10GB partition you'd fill that very quickly once you started applying Windows updates to the OS.

Partition Root Volume of EBS Volume while Creating EC2 Instance (Windows & Linux)

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