How to Shrink Vultr Block Storage Volume

Vultr doesn't support direct shrinking of Block Storage volumes. To reduce volume size, create a smaller volume, copy the necessary data from the original, and delete the larger one.

Follow this guide to migrate your data to a smaller Vultr Block Storage volume.

1. Inventory your files to determine the space needed.

   • On Windows, you can use the File explorer, or use the fsutil tool.

     pwsh Copy

     > fsutil volume diskfree E:\
     

   • On Linux and FreeBSD based instance, use the df command.

     console Copy

     $ sudo df -h /mnt/blockstorage
     

2. Create a new Vultr Block Storage volume of the required size in the same region as your instance.

3. Attach the new volume on your instance, then mount it.

4. Copy your files from the larger block storage volume to the new, smaller volume. Use the tools appropriate for your platform.

   • On Windows, use the robocopy tool.

     pwsh Copy

     > robocopy E:\ F:\ /E /XD "temp"
     

     This command copies all the files from E:\ to F:\, excluding the temp folder. The /E option recursively copies the subfolders.

   • On Linux, use the rsync tool.

     console Copy

     $ sudo rsync -avc /mnt/blockstorage/ /mnt/smallblockstorage/ --exclude "lost+found"
     

   • On FreeBSD, use the rsync tool. You may need to install it first.

     console Copy

     # pkg install -y rsync
     # rsync -avc /mnt/blockstorage/ /mnt/smallblockstorage/ --exclude "lost+found"
     

5. Verify the migrated data in your new Vultr Block Storage volume.

   • On Windows, compare the source and destination Vultr Block Storage volume and list any files that are different, without actually performing any copy operation.

     pwsh Copy

     > robocopy E:\ F:\ /L /E
     

     The /L option simulates the copy and reports what would be done. In case of a successful data migration, the Mismatch field shows 0.

   • On Linux and FreeBSD, use rsync with --dry-run option.

     console Copy

     $ sudo rsync -avc --dry-run /mnt/blockstorage/ /mnt/smallblockstorage/ --exclude "lost+found"
     

     If the data migration was successful, the command does not list any individual file names between the header sending incremental file list and the final summary.

6. Detach your old Vultr Block Storage volume.

7. When satisfied with the new volume, destroy your old Vultr Block Storage volume.