Creating, deleting and formatting computer disk partitions is only part of the possibilities hard drive management applications... Today, they allow you to safely carry out operations that previously required deleting data or other dizzying combinations.
Many of the tasks performed through the partition manager can, in theory, be accomplished using the Windows built-in disk management tool. However, it is not as intuitive as the programs discussed here.
A good disk management application consists of several modules. They are used to create, delete and format partitions. In addition to these functions, they also have functions for copying and moving partitions, creating images and backups.
Additional modules support system transfer, merging and partitioning. Various partition schemes, dynamic disks, RAID configurations, various file systems and boot records are supported.
Attention! Whenever you work with hard disk partitions, you need to plan everything carefully, back up your data, make sure to select the correct hard disk or partition before pressing Enter.
Attention! All operations carried out on sections are burdened with risks. The editorial board recommends to exercise special care and is not responsible for possible data loss or other damage incurred by the reader.
EaseUS Partition Master Disk Management
One of the most popular programs for managing hard disk partitions in Windows. Provides allocation of new partitions without data loss.
EaseUS Partition Master Benefits
- Easy conversion of partition type, basic to logical and vice versa
- Recovers deleted or nonexistent partitions
- Supported hard drive capacity up to 8 TB
disadvantages
- Inability to transfer data from HDD to SSD in the free version
License: freeware
Price: free
Disk Management AOMEI Partition Assistant
Also popular. Creates, splits, joins, copies hard disk partitions, resizing them, while preserving files. System transfer is possible.
Benefits of AOMEI Partition Assistant
- Convenient wizards for every operation
- Supports all the most popular file systems
- Displays accurate information about supported media
- Allows you to create a bootable CD with the application
License: freeware
Price: free
Disk Management in GParted
A tool for managing partitions of a computer hard drive. It is distributed as an ISO file. Install it on a USB flash drive or burn it to a CD and start your computer from it.
Benefits of GParted
- No installation required and no disk space required
- Attractive free offer for companies
- Extensive options for managing partitions of almost any file system
disadvantages
- Mastering takes time
- Only available via Live CD
License: freeware
Price: free
MiniTool Partition Wizard
Carries out all operations with partitions of the hard disk, also hides it. Copy the contents of the disk and change the file system.
Benefits of MiniTool Partition Wizard
- Lots of tools, including disk cleanup and checker
- Convenient visual wizard for every operation
- Allows you to convert NTFS to FAT32 without formatting, change disk type from MBR to GPT
License: freeware
Price: free
[email protected] Partition Manager
Performs operations on disk partitions. Formats USB flash drive in FAT32 and NTFS. Fixes MBR disks. Converts MBR to GPT and vice versa.
Benefits [email protected] Partition Manager
- Disk imaging tool
- Convenient wizard for creating and modifying sections
- Built-in boot sector editor, allows you to manually make changes
- Shows S.M.A.R.T. data. for hard drives
disadvantages
- English only
License: freeware
Price: free
We talked about how to create an AOMEI PE Builder Live CD. In this article, I decided to tell you how to partition a hard disk using Windows tools and the free AOMEI Partition Assistant Standard Edition.
Why share a hard drive at all? Many laptops and computers are sold with an intact hard drive, i.e. exists on disk only one sectionC: for system and data and additional service sections for programs from laptop manufacturers.
There is a saying, "Don't keep all your eggs in one basket." The same is the case with your hard drive in the computer, where your operating system (Windows XP, 7, 8, 10) and your data (documents, photos, music, movies and other data) stored on one section Your disk. This is not good, because if an error occurs on partition C: (drive C :), all data on this partition, including your data, is at risk. Secondly, when reinstalling Windows, if you have only one partition, you need to rewrite all your data from this partition to another location, which takes considerable time with a large volume and there is not always an external hard drive or a large flash drive where this data can be overwritten. And thirdly, it is always convenient to have two or more partitions (disks) to share systems and data. In this article I will tell you and show you how to divide your hard drive into two partitions (drive C and drive D). There is no particular difficulty in this, but you need to be careful, as there is a risk of losing data, but the risk of losing is always in our life but if you read this article to the end, then everything will become clear even to a child. But it will be better if you create a data backup in advance, as I described. So let's get started ...
How to partition a hard drive by meansWindows
Friends, to partition the hard drive using Windows, you need to go to " Computer management". In Windows 8, for this we right-click in the lower left corner of the screen and select " Disk management»
In Windows 7 go to the menu " Start" and right-click on " A computer"And in the context menu select" Control", Then select" Disk management»
The window “ Disk management". We see that the hard drive of our computer (laptop) is divided into partitions. In this case, into two partitions: reserved by the system (350 MB), it contains the Windows boot files and the system partition C: (24 GB), on which Windows is installed.
You may have a disk divided into three or even four partitions (depending on the laptop model), but this does not change the essence of this, since these partitions are most likely inaccessible to you and are used for utilities of laptop manufacturers.
We are interested in section C: (marked in red in the photo), and we must divide it (split) into two parts (section C: and section D :)
Do not be surprised that in the photo I have a small hard drive (25 GB), since I am showing the whole process on a virtual machine where a hard drive of this size is installed, all actions will take place on a physical computer or laptop. But this does not change the process of partitioning the hard drive. All pictures are clickable.
Right-click on the C: section and select “ Shrink Volume ...»
The system polls the hard disk volume to determine where to compress
In the next window indicate the size of compressed space in MB, that is, we indicate how much we will compress the partition, so that then this space can be given for a new disk partition and press the button " Shrink". We mean that the size of the compressed space is indicated in MB (megabytes), so if you want, for example, to create a new partition with a size of 250 GB (gigabyte), then multiply this figure by 1024 (in 1 GB - 1024 MB), we get 250 * 1024 \u003d 256000 MB.
We also take into account that the system may not give us so much space, since it is already occupied by data.
And one more thing: standard Windows disk management tools can be “stubborn” and do not give as much space as you “ask for”, although you have free space. This can be caused by a number of reasons, one of which is data fragmentation on this partition. In this case, you need to use special disk management programs, one of which I describe further in this article. We read, we are not distracted 🙂
After compressing the partition, we see that now we have a C: partition, and there is additional unallocated space ...
Now, from this unallocated space, we need to create a section, for this we right-click on it and select “ Create Simple Volume ...»
The wizard for creating simple volumes appears, in which we click " Further»
We indicate the size of our volume in MB and click " Further»
Note:
We assign a letter to our new partition (disk). Click " Further»
We format our new section with the option “ Quick format", Click" Further»
We see that the wizard has completed the creation of the volume (partition) with the parameters that we specified at the beginning .. Press the button " Done»
We see our two partitions in the disk management window: a reduced C: partition and a new E:
Voila! We go to " My computer"And we see our created additional disk
This is how you can partition a hard drive using Windows, but this method does not always work or does not always work as expected, so we will consider another option for managing hard drives, this is the multifunctional and free AOMEI Partition Assistant Standard Edition. With it, we will do the same and additionally I will show its other main functions.
How to partition a hard drive with a free program
To install the program AOMEI Partition Assistant Standard Edition, go to the official website of the program: and click " DownloadFreeware»
We press the button " Download now»
The program will start downloading to your computer. After downloading, run this file to install
The installation of the program is simple, see screenshots (pictures are clickable) ...
To scroll through the pictures, press “ Back to" or " Forward»
After installation, run the program AOMEI Partition Assistant Standard Edition
Main program window
We see that the C: partition (drive C :) is large and you can “unfasten” the second partition from it. Usually, for the C: drive, a 60-150 GB partition is enough, I usually leave 80 GB.
Now what are we going to do. We will compress the C: drive (change the partition), and use the freed space for a new partition (drive D :). What do we need for this? This program is both bubble and mindfulness.
So, right-click on the C: section and select “ Resize Partition»
Enter a new size for the partition. To do this, use the left mouse button to “grab” the right circle of the section and move it to the left. ... Or specify the size of the section in numbers in the field “ Partition size»
Something like the photo below. I resized the C: partition to 80GB. Click " OK»
Now in the main window of the program we see that our disk has unallocated space for a new partition (s). Let's take advantage of this 🙂 and create a new partition in this disk space. To do this, right-click on the unallocated space and select “ Creating a section»
We indicate the size of our new partition, the program by default offers all free space, select the drive letter and click " OK»
Note: If you want to create more than one section, then indicate the desired section less than the recommended maximum, and use the rest of the space for another section.
To apply all these actions, you need to click the " Apply»
The window " Deferred operations", Where the program shows what operations it will do with our hard disk before reaching the final result. If you agree with the actions of the program, click " Go to»
The program requires a restart, we agree and click " Yes»
After rebooting, the program waits for 10 seconds. We do not press anything during this time. If you want to cancel, press any key ...
We make sure again, go to " My computer"And rejoice!
Well, that you liked the free version of the program AOMEI Partition Assistant Standard Edition?. I like it. In addition to the fact that the program can divide disks, I will list a number of its main functions:
- Migration of the operating system to SSD / HDD disks;
- Increase, change, move, merge sections;
- Copying a disk / partition;
- Creating, deleting, formatting sections;
- Creating a bootable CD-ROM;
- MBR recovery;
- Conversion from MBR to GPT disk and vice versa without data loss;
- Recovering partitions;
- Disc surface testing;
- Aligning partitions and speeding up drives, especially SSD drives;
- Convert FAT / FAT32 file system to NTFS
The program supports all types of drives: HDD / SSD hard drives with MBR / GPT disk partition styles, RAID arrays, flash drives.
Here is my video on how to partition a hard drive with the free AOMEI Partition Assistant Standard Edition
Contest "Like - Get the Key"!
Friends, there paid version programs, . In the paid version of the program, in addition to the standard functions described above, additional functions are available:
- Converting a section from main to logical and vice versa;
- Allocation of free space from a partition to another partition;
- Creating and working with dynamic disk partitions;
- Converting a dynamic disk to a basic disk;
- Changing the type of section;
- Changing the serial number of the hard drive;
- Free technical support
Full list on the page:
It just so happens that I have 3 license keys for the program AOMEI Partition Assistant Pro Edition cost 32 $ (near 1800 R. for May 2015) and I want to arrange for you contest and play these keys among your readers!
Competition conditions are simple:
- You need to click a little lower on one of the social media buttons
- In the comments, provide a link to your social network profile.
Summarizing:
June 6, 2015 i will play these 3 Keys among those who clicked on one of the social buttons. networks (shared information about the draw) and showed this profile in the comments.
I will assign a serial number to each participant. The selection of winners will be randomly determined using a random number generator on the service www.randstuff.ru/number/ .
No more than one is accepted from each participant “ Laika”In one social network. There will be three winners... Each will get one license key.
Competition winners will receive license keys for the program AOMEI Partition Assistant Pro Editionand will be able to fully use all the functions of this wonderful program. Well, started? Who is first? 🙂
The hard disk is designed to permanently store the information used by the computer. They are also called hard drives or hard drives. The abbreviation HDD also stands for hard disk in computer terminology. Hard disk is one of the fastest devices for writing and reading information, not counting the RAM.
Most often, it is not comfortable to use a hard disk as a single storage of information, therefore, most users of PCs and laptops for their convenience divide the hard disk into partitions.
Hard disk partition concept
A partition (often referred to as a volume) is an area of \u200b\u200ba hard disk that can be formatted for a specific file system. A section or volume is denoted by a letter of the Latin alphabet, for example, F, E, H, Z or other letters that are not currently used on this hard drive.
Computer hard drive view
Types of hard disk partitions
Experts in modern computer terminology related to hard disk partitions distinguish three main types of volumes on a hard disk:
- Primary partition;
- Extended (Extended partition);
- Logical partition.
The primary partition on a hard disk typically stores user data, programs, and operating system files. There can be more than one primary partition on a hard disk, but there cannot be more than four. It is impossible to install more than one operating system in one primary volume of the hard drive, so if you want to use several operating systems on one PC, divide the hard drive into several partitions. And since there cannot be more than four primary partitions on one hard drive, there cannot be more than four installed OSes either.
During each session of work with the computer, only one primary partition is active, the one from which the operating system was loaded. Many operating systems only have the ability to boot from an active volume on the hard drive.
An extended partition combines logical disks, which are also called logical partitions. You can create a huge number of logical disks in an extended partition. They can store various information, such as user data, applications, programs, personal photos, videos and documents, even operating system files that can be loaded not only from the primary partition.
Logical partitions are almost indistinguishable from extended partitions. Any logical drive is just an extended partition area.
Computer hard drive
Partitioning a hard drive
After purchase, many owners of laptops and personal computers think about the problem of partitioning a hard drive into partitions. The essence of such a partition is to divide the computer hard drive into two or more sections. In most cases, they create a local drive C containing the operating system and system folders, as well as a local drive D, which predominantly stores your favorite movies, music, photos, text documents, etc. But to store personal data, not one, but several local drives can be used and you can call them any letters of the Latin alphabet.
Hard disk division is only formal
Benefits of dividing the hard drive into partitions
Breaking a hard drive into several partitions has many advantages. For example, the most compelling benefit of this procedure is that personal files such as videos, photos, and documents will be stored on a separate disk. Because if the need arises to reinstall the operating system, and formatting the OS disk is simply inevitable in this case, then all your personal files and folders will be saved.
There is, of course, another solution to this problem. Before reinstalling the operating system, move all important data to removable media, but this is a rather laborious task, especially if the amount of information that needs to be saved is tens or even hundreds of gigabytes. And if a situation arises when an emergency reinstallation of the operating system is required, access to personal files saved on a shared local disk with the OS is no longer possible, important information will simply be lost.
It looks like a computer hard drive when buying in a store
Storing system and personal files in different partitions of the hard drive will be more convenient. It will be easier to find the information you are interested in, since the clutter of each section will be less, and you can easily find the necessary files or folders. In addition, an obvious advantage of partitioning a hard disk into partitions is that it is easier for the operating system to work with a less loaded partition, that is, the operating system's performance increases significantly.
Another advantage of partitioning a hard disk into partitions is the ability to use several operating systems on one computer. For example, Windows 7 and Windows 8 or Windows XP can be installed on one hard drive, but for this the hard drive must be partitioned. In the event of a failure in one of the operating systems, you will have another operating system installed and ready to work.
To summarize, it is worth highlighting the main advantages of partitioning a hard disk into partitions. So, the advantages of such a procedure include:
- ensuring the security of personal data even in the event of failures in the OS;
- high efficiency of organizing information stored on the hard disk;
- increase in OS performance due to less load on the partition;
- the ability to install and use several operating systems on a computer.
A hard disk is a very complex device that provides quick access to stored information.
Partitioning a hard drive with built-in Windows OS tools
Since we have found out the main reasons for partitioning a hard disk into partitions, we got acquainted with the main advantages that such a solution brings later, we should consider in detail how to divide the hard drive into local disks in practice. Moreover, we will describe the algorithm for performing this procedure in relation to the most popular operating systems - Windows 7, 8 and 10.
Partitioning a hard drive in Windows 7
If your computer or laptop is running Windows 7, then to partition the hard disk into partitions, follow these steps:
Step 1. On the "Computer" icon on the desktop or in the "Start" panel, right-click, calling the context menu, click "Manage".
Right-click on the Computer icon
Step 2. In the window that opens, select the Disk Management utility from the menu. After that, you will have to wait for a few seconds until the window with the structure of the hard drive opens.
Select the Disk Management item
Hard disk partitions
Step 3. To partition the hard disk into partitions, you need to select a volume that has a large enough space, but it is worth remembering that it is better not to compress the system partition if possible. Right-click on the selected volume and select "Shrink Volume" from the context menu. A small window will open and you will need to wait a while.
Select Compress disk and wait a few seconds
Step 4. The system will suggest available compression options. The maximum values \u200b\u200bwill be indicated, but it is not recommended to use them, therefore, reduce the size slightly to the level required for you. This will be the size of the future logical disk. Enter the required values \u200b\u200bin the boxes and click on the "Compress" button. Then we wait again for the compression process to complete.
Maximum allowable values \u200b\u200bfor volume compression
Step 5. When the process is complete, a new partition will appear in the Disk Management window. On top of it you will see a black bar and the inscription "Not distributed". To convert it to a hard disk volume, right-click, then "Create Simple Volume".
Unallocated hard disk space
Step 6. The "Simple Volume Wizard" will open, click "Next" and select the maximum size.
Creating a simple volume
Step 7. Assign from the proposed letters of the Latin alphabet the letter that will become the name of the new section in the future and click "Next".
Working with the Create Simple Volumes Wizard
Select the name of the future section in the Simple Volume Creation Wizard
Step 8. Check the box next to "Format this volume as follows"; select the NTFS file system; cluster size - default; check the box next to "Quick Format" and click "Next".
Manual setting of formatting options
Step 9. When the "Completing the Simple Volume Wizard" window appears, check all the data and click "Finish".
Completing the Simple Volume Wizard
Step 10. And the new hard disk partition is ready!
Ready new section
So, without the use of additional software tools, you can easily and simply break the hard disk on a computer or laptop with the Windows 7 operating system installed.
Partitioning a hard drive in Windows 8
Owners of Windows 8 can partition the hard disk into partitions using the Disk Management utility, but to open this window, you need to hold down two Windows + R keys at the same time. As a result, the Run window will appear, you need to enter diskmgmt.msc in the command line »Only without quotation marks and press the Enter button on the computer keyboard.
Next, the "Management" window will open, similar to that in the operating system discussed earlier. In order to create a new partition on your hard drive, you need to sequentially perform the same steps as in the algorithm described in Windows 7. That is, do all the manipulations described in steps 2-10.
Partitioning a hard drive in Windows 10
Winchester on computers and laptops with Windows 10 operating system can be partitioned using the same built-in Disk Management utility. You can open this utility in Windows 10 by opening the "Start" menu. We type "Control Panel", click on it with the left mouse button and select "System and Security".
Finding Control Panel in Windows 10
Control Panel in Windows 10
Hard disk structure
In the window that opens, scroll down the scroll bar and find the "Administration" item. At this point, you need to find "Creating and formatting a hard disk", click on it and wait a couple of seconds, after which a window with the "Disk Management" utility opens in front of us. The further steps are performed in full accordance with the hard disk partitioning algorithm in Windows 7, again we do steps 2-10.
Other ways to create a new volume on the hard drive
It is worth mentioning that the Disk Management utility also allows you to delete partitions from your hard disk. You will need this if, for example, there is no more free space left, and you just need to create a new volume. To do this, you can right-click on the hard disk partition to be deleted and select "Delete volume". An unallocated volume will appear in place of the deleted partition, which can be formatted to suit the parameters you need.
Deleting a volume using the Disk Management utility
The steps described in the algorithm show how to create a new partition using the compression method. But there is a way to create a new volume from unallocated space, which may appear after deleting a partition, as described in the paragraph above, or after previous divisions, there may simply be unallocated space on the hard disk, from which you can create a new volume by following steps 5-10 of the above algorithm ...
In addition, it is possible to expand one of the existing volumes to the free space after deleting the old volume, or the partition can be expanded to unused unallocated space. To do this, click on the item "Expand volume" in the context menu, select "Next" and "Finish".
Partitioning the hard drive when installing Windows
After starting the operating system loader, select the language, accept the terms of the License Agreement, and select "Full installation". The loader will prompt you to select the partition on which the operating system will be installed later. Next, a window will open with a button "Disk settings". By clicking on this button, you will have access to all the tools that will allow you to work with disk space.
In this window, using the buttons, you can format the disk or disks, delete partitions, create new disks and select the desired size for them. Any changes you make will take effect only after clicking the "Apply" button.
External hard drive
Partitioning a hard disk with special programs
In addition to built-in tools, such as the Disk Management utility, special programs are also used to divide the hard disk into partitions, they are also called volume managers. At the moment, there are a lot of them. The functionality of these programs allows you to perform many functions, not only dividing a hard disk into partitions. Among the most popular programs that have received a large number of positive reviews, the following are worth noting:
- Acronis Disc Direktor;
- Paragon Partition Manager;
- AOMEI Partition Assistant;
- Norton Partition Magic;
- EASEUS Partition Master
- Ranish, etc.
Most of these programs can be downloaded for free on the Internet, in addition, many of them are available in Russian.
Acronis Disc Direktor hard disk management software
Paragon Partition Manager hard disk manager
Conclusion
The above describes in detail how to quickly and easily partition a hard drive using the built-in tools of Windows operating systems in versions 7, 8 and 10. Also, an option is considered how to partition the hard drive initially when installing the operating system on a computer or laptop. A list of the best programs for managing hard disk partitions according to users' opinions is given.
The described benefits of dividing a hard drive into partitions are simply undeniable. After all, this way you not only rationally use disk space, but also increase the speed of the operating system.
Almost every user knows or guesses that it is impractical to allocate the entire hard drive space only for the system partition, since if there are logical disks on them, you can save information that will not be deleted even when the system is reinstalled. But the disk itself must be split into at least two partitions. One will be the system one - the one on which the OS is installed, and the second - logical. To carry out such actions, any Windows program for partitioning the hard disk can be used. Further, it is proposed to consider the system's own tools and third-party applications. But the main preference will be given to the means of the operating system.
Built-in hard drive partitioning program during Windows setup
Let's start with the process of installing the OS on a computer with a hard drive not / or containing additional partitions.
At a certain stage, the installer prompts the user to select the volume into which the system will be installed (custom installation). In the window where all the sections will be shown, you must select the desired one and click the settings button. You can redistribute space by deleting one or more partitions, after which unallocated space appears.
Next, the button for creating a section is pressed with an indication of the volume (the window is just below), after which it is advisable to immediately format it. Upon completion of the process, select the partition assigned to the system and press the button to continue the installation. By the way, it is always recommended to create a logical volume at the installation stage. This is especially true for outdated systems, since they simply do not have built-in tools for carrying out such operations.
Diskpart utility
That at the stage of installation, that in the already installed system, you can use your own program for partitioning the hard disk in the form of the diskpart tool, which works through the command line running as administrator. Many users do not like to work with the command console, considering this tool too complicated. Meanwhile, there shouldn't be any special difficulties here.
So, first, the original command is written to the console, and after it the lines shown in the image above are sequentially entered. In this example, notice the selection of the select disk. Its number should correspond to your partition to be partitioned from the list presented after the execution of the list disk line. Then everything is simple:
- create partition primary creates a primary partition;
- format - in this example, quick formatting with the quick attribute, which can be omitted;
- assign is responsible for assigning a letter to a section.
Upon completion of all actions, a new logical partition will appear in the "Explorer".
Universal system program for partitioning hard drive Windows 7 or other versions
An equally powerful tool, if you don't like the command line, is a specialized system tool for managing disks and partitions, called from the Run console using the diskmgmt.msc command.
Suppose that the user needs to create a new logical volume by biting off some space from the system disk with the operating system if its volume is too large. First, through the RMB menu, the command to compress the volume is used, indicating the desired size of the compressed space (what will be allocated for the new partition).
Unallocated space will appear after compressing. Through the PCM, the creation of a new volume is selected, a letter is assigned (it can be changed at will, but it is better not to do this) and formatting is performed (here the file system can be left unchanged). Once completed, the disk will be split into two partitions.
Third party utilities
As for third-party software, in principle, any program for partitioning a hard drive works on the same principles as the built-in tools of the OS itself. Some of them are simpler, others can be difficult to use.
Free ones are presented by such utilities:
- Partition Assistant by Aomei
- Partition Master by EASEUS (free version);
- Partition Manager by Paragon;
- Cute Partition Manager;
- Minitool PW, etc.
Among the paid software packages, the most popular are the following:
- Partition Magic.
- Disk Director by Acronis.
- 7tools Partition Manager.
- Partition Master from EASEUS.
- Partition Wizard (professional version), etc.
Creating partitions using an example of using the Mimitool PW application
If we are talking about free utilities, naturally, as an example, we will consider a free program for partitioning a hard disk, which is quite easy to learn and does not require special skills and knowledge to use (for example, just in case, the English version is taken, since with russified applications will not be difficult to figure out).
In the running program, you just need to select the desired disk or partition that you want to split and select the Split command through the RMB menu.
Then it remains only to specify the required size of the new volume (New Partition Size) and click the confirmation button ("OK"). After that, the program for partitioning a hard drive with Windows 10 or another system should be performed without user intervention. And this is a rather significant plus.
What to use?
As you can see, almost any program for partitioning a hard disk is not particularly complicated (except perhaps the command utility diskpart). But, I think, an ordinary user does not even need the built-in Windows tools. Use the utility described in the example above, and everything you perform will be minimized. But when installing the system, you cannot do without Windows tools (although if the installation media has some utility from Acronis, you can use its tools).
Partitioning a hard disk using Windows7
Partitioning the C: \\ drive in Win7
When buying a new computer or laptop with a preinstalled Windows 7 operating system, many users are faced with the problem of dividing the hard drive into several partitions.
Partitioning a hard disk into several partitions is important both from the point of view of ease of use of the system interface and the ability to save data after reinstalling or restoring the operating system.
Main section C: \\
As you know, when reinstalling the operating system, all data located on the C: \\ drive is lost, while the data on the remaining partitions of the hard drive remains intact. All important files can be easily used even after the system is restored.
Partitioning the hard disk is also convenient because programs and applications are installed on the system partition C: \\. If the C: \\ drive is the only one, then when you add all kinds of files and folders to it, confusion arises between the system files and the usual folders added by the user. In this case, it is easy to get confused in the files and inadvertently delete some important system file. Therefore, partitioning the hard disk is necessary.
In order to partition a hard disk in Windows 7 into several partitions (logical drives), many use specialized programs like Partition Magic and the like. With the help of such programs, you can partition a disk into several partitions. But Windows 7 provides the ability to split it using system utilities. In this case, the need for third-party programs is completely eliminated.
To partition a hard disk in Windows 7, you need to go to the computer control panel.
This can be done in two ways:
It is clear that the first method is easier.
In the "Disk Management" tab you can view all the information on our HDD and its partitions. In addition to the main C: \\ partition, it is possible to find a hidden recovery partition.
Main partition C: \\ and hidden recovery partition
The recovery partition is used to store information for recovering the operating system in the event of a serious failure when the system does not boot. It is not indicated by a letter. It should be noted that the amount of memory used for recovery files can reach several gigabytes (usually about 15GB). Also, besides it, there is a section on the disk System Reserved , volume of 100 megabytes. These sections are service, since they are not used by the user in any way and serve for the normal functioning of the operating system.
So, let's turn our attention to the C: \\ drive, which is to be divided into partitions - additional logical drives.
To split it, right-click on the conventional disk image. In the drop-down menu, select the item “ Shrink volume…”.
The item "Compress volume ..."
After the request is completed, a window will appear in which the compression parameters will be indicated. If the disk has not been previously divided, then by default the utility will offer to divide it approximately in half. If the original HDD had a memory capacity, for example 1.8 Terabytes, then after the partition, two partitions with a volume of approximately 900 Gigabytes each are formed.
The window that appears shows the size of the C: \\ volume before compression (in megabytes) and the size of the space to be compressed. The size of the compressible space is the amount of memory of the new partition that will be created. The total size after compression is the size of the C: \\ volume after compression. It will be slightly larger than the newly created one. As already mentioned, the system will offer to split the available memory approximately in half.
If you have a desire and confidence in your abilities, you can indicate your numbers and divide the disk in accordance with your needs. In any case, it will be possible to carry out the reverse procedure - volume expansion and return everything to its previous state.
After reviewing the separation parameters, press the "Compress" button. After a short process, another section will appear on the HDD with the inscription “Not allocated”.
The item "Create simple volume ..."
Start “Simple Volume Wizard”. Click "Next". The window "Specify the size of the volume" will appear - click "Next" again. In the next window, select the letter of the new volume in the “ Assign drive letter”. You can choose any letter you like.
Assigning a letter to a new section
We confirm the choice and specify the file system in a new window. In point " Format this volume as follows:"Specify the file system NTFS , the cluster size is left by default. Put a tick in the checkbox “ Quick format”And click“ Next ”. A window will appear with all the specified parameters. If everything is correct, then click the "Finish" button.
If you are not satisfied with the parameters set by the system by default, then, of course, you can set your own. But in most cases this is not required.
After a few seconds, the new HDD partition will be formatted, a letter will be assigned to it, and “Good (Logical Disk)” will appear in the legend field. The C: \\ drive will now be split in two.
New HDD Partition - New Volume (E :)
If desired, you can change the name of the new section, and instead of “ New volume”, Give another. This can be done in several ways:
1 In the computer control panel in the disk management window, select the one whose name we want to change. Right-click and select " Properties". In the name field, set a new name and confirm by clicking OK.
If you have a solid state drive (SSD) instead of a HDD in your system, then the separation method is the same.
