Hi, I am new here and this is my first post. I am also a Linux newbie so please be patient. I have a dual-boot machine and would like to change my partition table. I messed with it about a year ago and had a heck of a time getting everything working again so I'd like some advice on how to go about doing it. Here is some output from parted:

Number Start End Size Type File system Flags
0.00B 1049kB 1049kB Free Space
1 1049kB 1574MB 1573MB primary ntfs diag (Windows rec. env.)
2 1574MB 106GB 105GB primary ntfs (Windows partition)
106GB 334GB 227GB Free Space
3 334GB 388GB 54.4GB primary ext4 boot (Linux partition)
388GB 389GB 524MB Free Space
4 389GB 400GB 11.5GB primary ntfs hidden (HDD recovery)

I'd like to expand my Linux partition but it is at the end of the disk with only a 1/2 GB of free space after it, plus a hard disk recovery partition that came with my laptop. Also, there is a large amount of free space between sda2 and sda3 that I'd like to make an extended partition but I already have four primary partitions. Please help. Thank you.

1. Use "disks", if it is available on your Linux distribution to get a visual idea of how your hard drive is configured and how you want it changed. I have also done a print screen and printed that out as a hard copy before making any changes. To a degree this step is unnecessary as you have already identified "there is a large amount of free space between sda2 and sda3".

2. Run "gparted" from a live CD. With "gparted" you should be able to "extend" sda3 (the Linux partition) into the free space between sda2 and sda3. Before doing anything read a "gparted" tutorial.

My approach would be to create a backup copy of the Linux partition to an external drive, then use the Windows Disk Administrator tool to delete the Linux partition and create an extended partition. Then you can split the extended partition to accommodate your Linux partition and any further partitions you may want. Once this is complete you can restore the Linux partition from backup and adjust your bootloader as required.

Me too, what are you trying to do?

I try to use gparted, or cfdisk if I need to. gparted shows a nice gui on the partitioning scheme. partition type , mount point, gives the ability to resize, move, and other useful things.

for windows side and not just a ntfs partition, but the one windows is using for its OS, and restore partitions, I do not tought that one, just the windows OS one and Use its (windows) disk manager software. as stated, it too can be used to create a raw partition then go into linux and have it establish it as a ext2 type or the other types of Linux formats available to it to use.

as far as say a ntfs storage partition to go between windows and Linux on the same laptop/PC it is a case by case on which one I use to manipulate it, though mostly I set it to a size then leave it alone. if is by chance gets corrupted I use windows to fix it.

The simplest answer is as per post #2, just use the gparted livecd to absorb the space. If you really want/need to create an extended partition, you'll have to delete a current partition. I always create a recovery USB from Win10 and delete the recovery partition from the hard disk. You could then slide the Linux partition "down" to abut the Windows partition with gparted - this will consolidate all the free space. Then create the extended and do as you wish.
Your choice.

Would Windows 10 come as a gpt or only if large drive???

It was me that mentioned Win10, not the OP - my bad.

My understanding is that new pre-installed Win10 systems are always [U]EFI - which requires gpt. Win7 (BIOS) systems that were upgraded to Win10 can be on MBR (msdos) partitioned disk. I still have one in the house like this.
I also have a system that was bought new and is UEFI, and Win10 is on a non-gpt disk. Search the web and almost everyone says that is impossible, but I have one, large as life.

So, ... it depends ...