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Extending Disk Partitions on Ubuntu: The Old-School

Extending Disk Partitions on Ubuntu: The Old-School
Photo by Gavin Phillips / Unsplash

Running out of disk space on Ubuntu is a classic problem — especially on servers or long-running systems.

Modern tools can automate disk resizing, but real Linux control comes from understanding how to extend partitions manually — the old-school way.

This guide walks through extending a disk partition on Ubuntu using traditional Linux tools, without relying on fancy GUIs or cloud automation.

Why Use the Old Way?

Manual partition extension gives you:

  • Full visibility of disk layout
  • Safer changes on production systems
  • Better troubleshooting control
  • Confidence when automation fails

If you manage servers, virtual machines, or legacy systems, this knowledge is essential.

Step-by-Step Guide for Extending Disk Partition

  1. Check the Disk Space
  1. Run CFDISK.
  2. Select /dev/sda2.
  3. Navigate to RESIZE - > WRITE - > yes -> Quit
  1. Set Partition
  1. type print (to list the disk)
  2. type resizepart 2 (/dev/sda2)
  3. exit
  1. Resize the /dev/sda2

Thats it. Congratulati0ns!

📣 TL;DR

If you can safely extend a Linux partition using fdisk and resize2fs, you’re already ahead of most users.

Marlon Mutiangpili

Marlon Mutiangpili

Senior IT & Cybersecurity Consultant | Cloud, Infrastructure & Security Operations I help small and mid-sized businesses keep their IT systems secure, stable, and predictable.