How to partition a hard drive. How to Partition a Hard Drive in Windows

There are times when when buying a computer or laptop, there is only one system drive "C". I think everyone knows that having one partition is bad. After all, after reinstalling the operating system, all your files and documents will be permanently deleted. Therefore, it is necessary to have at least two sections C and D. The first one will contain operating system with everyone necessary programs, and on the second personal files (music, video, photos, etc.). To do this, you need to partition the hard drive. So the question is - how to partition a hard drive in windows 7? At the same time, so that the files on the hard drive are not affected. Most easy way - split hard drive, using native Windows 7 tools. And we will consider this method with you today.

How to Partition a Hard Drive in Windows 7

So let's get started. Right-click on the "My Computer" icon and select Manage.

Find the item "Disk Management" and click on it.

Below you can see that I have 3 hard drives and one of them (Disk 0) is already divided into two partitions.

Disks 1 and 2 are not partitioned.

Using Disk 2 as an example, I will show you step by step how to partition a hard drive. It is not empty, it contains the operating system and various files. In your case, it will not be Disk 2, but Disk 0, since I have three hard drives installed in my computer.

So, we divide Disk 2 into two partitions - for this, right-click on Disk 2 and select "Compress Volume".

There is a request for space to compress.

And here in the window we see the available space for compression - 222361 MB.

Now you need to specify how much we will compress the volume. If I had not touched anything here, I would have pressed "Compress", then the size of the volume with the OS would become small, that is, about 15 GB. This is naturally very small, so be careful.

It is clear that a lot depends on the total size of your hard drive, but I would advise you to set the size of the future C partition to at least 60 GB (I usually set 80-100 GB).

In this case, I will try to divide the hard drive into two identical partitions. I will set the size of the compressed space to 115 361 MB, this is exactly the section that will be empty. And now we observe that the total size after compression has changed to the number 123 112 MB, that is, 120 GB, this is the system partition on which the operating system with programs is located.

In other words:
- The size of the compressed space is the size of the additional disk;
- The total size after compression is the size of the system disk C. For example, you have a 1000 MB hard disk, then 100-150 GB can be allocated to disk C, and everything else (850-900 GB) to the second disk.

After you have decided on the partitions, click "Compress". When the compression process is complete, unallocated space will appear. Now it needs to be converted to a simple volume. To do this, right-click on the unallocated space and select "Create a simple volume".

After we assign any letter for the future partition (disk). I chose the letter F.

A computer hard drive is a small device located inside a system unit or laptop case. But, despite its integrity, in the Windows operating system it can be displayed as several drives, each of which is assigned its own letter of the English alphabet. This is convenient for the user, as it allows you to logically divide the information stored on the computer, access it faster and perform searches.

But when you buy a computer or a new hard drive, you get an information keeper that appears as one single logical drive in Windows. At this point, the task often arises of partitioning one disk partition into several partitions, mainly into two or three. For example, the first drive (C drive) installs the operating system, while the second stores personal documents, photos, music, and videos. This is convenient from the point of view of the safety of information and access to it if the operating system fails, because you can reinstall Windows. Even after formatting the C drive, your personal files stored on other logical drives (D, E, etc.) will remain intact.

Attention: before partitioning a disk, close all running programs!

Partitioning with Windows 7

Windows 7 has its own hard disk partition management features: creating a partition, shrinking (reducing a partition), deleting a partition, changing a letter. In Windows XP, you cannot do this.

Right-click on the "Computer" icon on the desktop or in the "Start" menu and select "Manage". You will need system administrator rights.

In the Computer Management window that opens, go to Disk Management. In the central part of the window you will see lists of physical disks, logical partitions and their parameters.



Consider the most popular task - to split the logical drive C into two partitions. To do this, you first need to separate some of the free information from the C drive, and then create a separate partition from the free space. Right-click on drive C and select Shrink Volume... from the context menu. Thus, we will reduce the size of the C drive with the release of free space.



You will have to wait a bit, Windows will analyze the partitioned drive C and display a window with partitioning options. Set the size of the space to be compressed (i.e. the amount of free space that needs to be taken away from the disk) and click on the "Compress" button.



Wait while Windows splits the specified disk into two parts. The process takes several minutes.

After the compression of disk C is completed, you will see how one more partition will appear among the partitions, marked as "Unallocated". Next, on this free space, you need to create new section. Right-click on the unallocated partition and select "Create Simple Volume..." from the menu.



The New Simple Volume (Section) Wizard window opens. Click "Next".



The wizard will ask you to specify the size of the partition to be created. The window will show the minimum and maximum dimensions, and by default the partition created will be the largest possible size. In most cases, you don't need to change anything here, so click Next.



In the next step, you will be prompted to assign a letter of the English alphabet to the new section, or skip this step. It is convenient to assign a letter right now. Leave "Assign Drive Letter (A-Z)" selected and you can change the default drive letter if you wish. Click "Next".



At the fourth step of the wizard, you must specify the formatting options for the new disk partition. This is necessary so that data can be saved to the newly created partition. Leave the default settings (NTFS file system and quick format) unchanged. Fill in only the "Volume Label" field, giving it a name, and click "Next".



At the last step of the volume creation wizard, you can review all the selected options for creating a new disk partition and confirm them by clicking the "Finish" button.



It will take a few seconds to create the partition, and a new one will appear among the list of volumes in the Computer Management window.



The new disk should also appear among the disks in the Computer window. They can be used.

Partitioning with MiniTool Partition Wizard

If you have another Windows version, other than Windows 7, such as Windows XP, then in order to partition the hard disk, you will need special program. Well-known programs in this area are: Partition Magic and Acronis Disk Director. But you have to pay to use them. Therefore, the text below suggests a way to partition a hard drive based on the free MiniTool Partition Wizard Home Edition program.

The task remains the same - to divide the C drive into two disks.

Like

Today we will consider how to partition a disk in Windows 10 without resorting to third-party software, because such a need appears for virtually all users of the new operating system.

Whatever the adherents say specialized programs, if the operating system has the appropriate functionality, there is no point in using them. Therefore, we will consider in detail how to partition a hard drive using the tool for working with drives integrated into Windows 10.

What is important, we will work from under the operating system itself, without even resorting to using the installation drive with the dozens distribution kit.

First of all, dividing the drive into volumes is necessary if you purchase a new device, it doesn’t matter if it’s a laptop, a computer or an increased hard drive. This is done for several reasons, the main of which are ease of use and safety.

Imagine what will happen to a 500-1000 GB hard drive if you format it during the reinstallation of the operating system in order to get rid of all the files of the old OS. Install new system over the old one makes little more sense than just updating it from under Windows itself: all the garbage will remain, which will soon affect the performance of the computer.

And it's easier to store Various types data on different volumes (games on one, video collection on another). Operating system with software must be located on the first logical disk due to the nature of the HDD.

Launching the Disk Partitioning Utility

Working with partitions begins with the launch of the Disk Management program, which has not changed much since it was introduced into the Windows 7 operating system. The tool is launched in several ways.

Control Panel

1. Open the Control Panel via Start, Win→X (by holding the appropriate key combination) or a shortcut in a convenient place.

2. Change the visualization style of the window icons to "Small Icons".

3. We call the applet "Administration".

4. Run the last utility in the list "Computer Management".

5. Expand the "Memory Devices" section in the left vertical menu.

6. Click on the "Disk Management" item.

command interpreter

The second, and more effective, method to invoke the hard drive partitioning tool is to use the capabilities of the Run window.

1. We call a dialog for quickly executing system commands and opening resources using the Win + R key combination.

2. Enter the command "diskmgmt.msc".

3. Run it using the "Enter" key.

As a result, the same window will open as in the previous version, but without unnecessary interface elements.

How to use the built-in disk manager

The application window displays a list of all detected digital information storage devices, including those operating using flash-memory technology (solid-state drives and flash drives).

The first in the list are the partitions reserved by the operating system, where the files necessary to reset the operating system to its original state, and its bootloader are stored. These volumes of 100-350 (sometimes more) megabytes should not be affected in any way.

1. In the main frame or panel below, select the hard disk or its volume that needs to be divided into nth quantity sections.

The main thing is that it has a sufficient amount of free space, which at least slightly exceeds the size of the created partition / partitions. And if it splits system volume, you should leave at least 10 GB of free space on it. You will need it to store temporary files and install missing software.

2. We call the context menu of the selected object and select "Compress volume ...".

This operation will allow you to “cut off” the specified number of gigabytes from the partition and form a new partition or several in this place, but their total size will not exceed the amount of data allocated for this.

3. In the parametric window that opens, set the volume of the compressible space.

That is how many megabytes will be freed (turned into an unallocated area) in order to subsequently mark it in the desired way.

After specifying all the information, click "Compress" and wait. Depending on the size (and the degree of damage to the hard drive - this factor primarily affects the speed), you will have to wait from ten seconds to a couple of minutes until the application completes the task of reassigning free clusters of the unallocated area.

Upon completion of the operations, an unallocated space of the specified volume will appear on the diagram, this area is distinguished by the presence of a black bar at the top.

4. Through the context menu of this space, call the command "Create a simple volume ...".

By default, its size will be equal to the unused space, which is relevant for the formation of one volume in this area. If you need to create several partitions, enter the volume of the first one in megabytes (taking into account the fact that 1 gigabyte equals 1024 megabytes, not 1000).

5. In the wizard for creating simple volumes, select the file system. Set the cluster size and label.

It is better to choose NTFS as the file system. Even with many shortcomings, it is best solution from Microsoft. Cluster size: if the disk will store small files, it makes sense to set it to 2096 kb or less in order to optimize the use of space, and for storing video collections and images, it is better to use a larger cluster size. Nothing depends on the volume label, and it can be easily changed through Explorer at any time.

As a result, the file system of the new partition will be formed and a new volume will appear on the hard disk. When creating several sections with an unallocated area, you will have to do the same as in steps 4-6.

Partitioning a volume during the installation phase of Windows 10

If the computer does not yet have an operating system, you can also partition the hard drive during its installation. The difference between the option is the inability to divide the drive into logical volumes without formatting, and for hard drives with important information method will not work.

1. We boot from the installation distribution using the Boot Menu.

2. We get to the stage of choosing a disk for installing the “tens”, stopping at the “Custom” option.

3. Remove unnecessary volumes to make them an unallocated area.

4. As before, select this space and create sections of the specified sizes in it.

How to partition a hard drive on a laptop with Windows 8 operating system installed? The laptop was bought a week ago. What confused me! First, a new and unfamiliar operating system. Secondly, I went to Disk Management, the 750 GB hard disk is divided into four sections, and if you go to the "Computer" window, you can see only the C: drive. What then is on the other sections, why are they not assigned letters? And how can I partition the hard drive of a new laptop and not mess it up? I would like to have two discs! First drive C:, with installed Windows 8, another drive D:, file storage? Lastly, I've heard that almost all new laptops now come with new GPT partition table style hard drives. What kind of animal is this?

How to partition a hard drive on a laptop

Hello friends, the question is accepted and now we will figure it all out. For example, let's divide the hard drive on a laptop, which is now sold in many computer stores. Since most laptops are now sold with GPT partition table style hard drives (which have many advantages over the old MBR), we will divide into partitions just such a hard drive. If it turns out that your hard drive uses MBR, then I will give you a link to another article.

Note: If this article does not help you, for example, you cannot separate enough space from the C: drive to create a D: drive, then you should know that the hard drive on a laptop can be divided not only using the Disk Management utility built into the operating system.

There is also a good free program EaseUS Partition Master Free Edition, it has more features than Disk Management. Read our new article" " Or you can use a paid program .

We return to our article.

We right-click in the lower left corner of the desktop and select Disk Management from the drop-down menu.

And we click on our disk with the right mouse, select "Properties",

Then we go to the "Volumes" tab and see that our hard drive has a Partition Style: GPT (GUID Partition Table).

If you have in the “Volumes” tab, Partition Style is indicated: Master Boot Record (MBR). So you need to act exactly the same as described later in the article. If something doesn’t work out for you, describe to me in a comment your situation in Disk Management and I will prompt you with an answer or give a link to another article.

So I'll show you how to partition a hard drive on a laptop using the built-in Disk Management utility in Windows.

First partition: hidden, 1.00 GB, Healthy (Recovery partition), this is a service partition of the laptop, do not touch it in any way.
The second partition: hidden, 260 MB in size Healthy (Encrypted (EFI) system partition) belongs to the operating system, do not touch it either.
Third partition: 687 GB, installed operating system Windows system 8, that is, drive C: in person. Here we will divide it into two sections approximately in half. Drive C: will leave 350 GB, and the rest of the space (also about 350 GB) will be allocated to drive D:, on which we will store all our files.
Fourth partition: hidden, 10.75 GB, Healthy (Recovery partition), this partition contains files with the factory settings of your Windows laptop 8. We will not touch him either, he will still be useful to us. But you don’t have to worry, with all your desire, you won’t be able to do anything with this section here, all tools are not available in the control menu, only “Help” is present.

Right-click on the C: drive and select Shrink Volume

as we agreed, we will divide drive C: in half. Select Size of space to compress (MB) 350000 and click on the "Compress" button.

Note: Unfortunately "Disk Management" in some cases, it makes it possible to simply divide our hard drive in half. If this does not suit you, use the free program EaseUS Partition Master Free Edition , link at the beginning of the article.

Unallocated space appears. Right click on it and select "Create Simple Volume"

The "Create a Simple Volume Wizard" starts, click "Next",

You can assign any letter to the drive, personally I will leave E:, click "Next".

"Ready".

With the help of such a simple operation, we have divided the hard drive on a laptop.

If you need another section, then in exactly the same way you can create another section and not even one, but it’s better not to get carried away, it seems to me that two or three sections are enough for the needs of a simple user.

Partitioning a hard disk into partitions in all Windows systems above Vista occurs according to the same principle. Only the login procedure differs, but we will use the universal method.

Command line for partitioning disks

For our purpose, you can also use the console, for those who are used to working with the command line.

Partitioning a disk during installation

Another convenient way is to create volumes at the time of system installation.

We use third party software

You can also use specialized utilities to create partitions. They differ from standard Windows tools in extended functionality and more stable job. Also, such software is able to split partitions without deleting data from them.

The first application I would like to mention is mini tool Partition Wizard Free. As the name implies, the application is completely free, while boasting quite powerful functionality.

All actions are intuitive. When the application loads, right-click on the section and select the desired action. For example, to partition a disk, select Split.

Then, moving the slider or entering the values ​​manually, specify the required size and confirm changes. When the process is completed, the disk can be used.

Another powerful free app is AOEMIPartitionAssistant. The interface and functionality are very similar to the above application.

Run the program and select the desired drive. Click on it with the right mouse button and get the available actions.