Fix the Volume You Have Selected to Shrink May Be Corrupted [with Tips]

The volume you have selected to shrink may be corrupted error can prevent you from resizing your partitions, which is often necessary for creating new drives or reallocating storage space. In this article, we'll explore the causes of this issue and provide step-by-step solutions to resolve it.

Have you ever encountered the error message "The volume you have selected to shrink may be corrupted" while trying to shrink a volume on your computer? This frustrating error can prevent you from resizing your volumes as needed, causing inconvenience and potentially impacting your productivity. But fear not, as there are solutions to this issue that can help you resolve it and get back to managing your disk space efficiently.

Causes of the Volume You Have Selected to Shrink May Be Corrupted Error

Before diving into the solutions, it's essential to understand why this error occurs. Here are the most common causes:

📄1. File System Corruption

The file system on the volume may be corrupted due to improper shutdowns, power outages, or malware infections. This can prevent Windows from accurately assessing the available space for shrinking.

📀2. Bad Sectors on the Disk

Physical damage or bad sectors on the hard drive can lead to data corruption, making it difficult for the system to shrink the volume.

🗃️3. Unmovable System Files

Specific system files, such as the page, hibernation, or system restore points, are unmovable. If these files are located in the space you're trying to shrink, Windows will block the operation.

🌩️4. Insufficient Free Space

If the volume doesn't have enough free space to shrink, Windows may misinterpret this as corruption.

Solutions to Fix the Volume May Be Corrupted Error

Now that you have a better understanding of the potential causes behind the "The volume you have selected to shrink may be corrupted" error. Let's explore some practical solutions to resolve this issue:

However, the error message "the volume you have selected to shrink may be corrupted" causes customers to lose vital files stored on their hard disks. Before addressing the corruption issue and recover files from corrupted hard drive, it is critical to restore lost or inaccessible data swiftly. In this instance, EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard is a reliable data recovery program that may help you avoid losing important files while repairing this problem.

Here are the steps:

Step 1. Scan the hard drive partition

Select the drive on your hard disk where you lost or deleted files. Click "Search for Lost Data" and let EaseUS data recovery software scan for all lost data and files on the selected drive.

Step 2. Check the results

When the scan completes, you can apply the "Filter" feature or click the "Search files or folders" option to find the lost files on the hard drive.

Step 3. Restore lost hard drive data

Select wanted files that you lost on the drive and click "Recover" to save them to another location.

💡Tip: You can restore data on the local disks, external hard drives, and also the cloud storage.

If you find this disk repair software helpful, please share it with others on social media to assist them in overcoming this common challenge.

Fix 1. Run the CHKDSK Utility

The error message recommends explicitly using the CHKDSK utility to check and repair the volume. Here's how to do it:

Step 1. Press Windows + S, type cmd, and select "Run as Administrator".

Step 2. In the Command Prompt, type the following command and press. Enter:

chkdsk C: /f /r /x

Replace C: with the letter of the volume you're trying to shrink.

The utility will scan the volume for errors and attempt to fix them. This process may take some time, depending on the volume size. Once the scan is complete, restart your computer and try shrinking the volume again.

Fix 2. Disable Hibernation

The hibernation file is an unmovable system file that can prevent volume shrinking. Disabling hibernation will remove this file:

Step 1. Open Command Prompt as Administrator. Type the following command and press Enter:

powercfg /h off

Step 2. Restart your computer and attempt to shrink the volume again.

Preventive Measures to Avoid the Error in the Future

To avoid reencountering this error, consider the following tips:

• Regularly Run CHKDSK: Periodically check your drives for errors using the CHKDSK utility.
• Avoid Improper Shutdowns: Always shut down your computer correctly to prevent file system corruption.
• Keep Your System Updated: Install Windows updates to ensure your system runs the latest fixes and improvements.
• Use Reliable Antivirus Software: Protect your system from malware that can corrupt files.

Conclusion

The "The volume you have selected to shrink may be corrupted" error can be frustrating, but it's usually fixable with the right approach. By understanding the causes - such as file system corruption, unmovable files, or bad sectors - you can choose the appropriate solution, whether running CHKDSK, disabling system files, or using third-party tools. If the problem persists, consider backing up your data and reformatting the volume. You can resolve the issue and successfully shrink your volume with the steps outlined in this article. If you’re unsure about any steps, consult a professional or seek assistance from Microsoft Support.