Virtually every user knows eitherI guess that allocating the entire hard disk space only under the system partition is not practical, since if there are logical drives, you can save information that will not be deleted even if you reinstall the system. But after all, the disc itself should be broken down into at least two sections. One will be the system - the one on which the OS is installed, and the second - logical. For carrying out such actions, any Windows program can be used to partition a hard disk. Further, it is proposed to consider its own system tools and third-party applications. But the main preference will be given to the means of the operating system.
Built-in hard drive partitioning software during the Windows installation phase
We begin with the process of installing the OS on a computer on which a hard disk is installed that does not / or contains additional partitions.
At a certain stage, the installer offersthe user selects the volume in which the system will be installed (selective installation). In the window where all sections will be shown, you need to select the desired one and click the settings button. You can redistribute the space by deleting one or more partitions, after which unallocated space will appear.
Next, press the button to create a partition withindicating the volume (a little lower window), after which it is desirable to immediately format. Upon completion of the process, you should select the partition to be used for the system and click 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 of aging systems, since they simply do not have built-in tools for such operations.
Diskpart utility
What is at the installation stage, what is alreadyAn installed system can use its own program for partitioning a 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 complex. In the meantime, there should not be any special difficulties.
So, first the original is written in the console.command, and after it the lines shown in the image above are sequentially entered. In this example, pay attention to the choice disk select disk. Its number should match your partitioning partition from the list provided after the execution of the list disk line. Then everything is simple:
- create partition primary creates the primary partition;
- format - in the specified example, quick formatting with the attribute quick, which can be not used;
- assign is responsible for assigning letters to the section.
Upon completion of all actions in the "Explorer" will appear a new logical partition.
Universal system program for partitioning the hard disk of Windows 7 or other versions
No less powerful tool if you don't like itcommand line, you can call a specialized system tool for managing disks and partitions, called from the "Run" console command diskmgmt.msc.
Suppose the user needs to createA new logical volume, “biting off” some space from the system disk with the operating system, if its volume is too large. First, through the right-click menu, use the volume compression command indicating the desired size of the compressible space (of what will be allotted for the new section).
After compression, the unallocatedspace. Through PKM, 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 it) and formatting is performed (here the file system can be left unchanged). After execution, the disk will be divided into two sections.
Third-party utilities
As for third-party softwaredevelopers, in principle, any program for partitioning the hard disk works on the same principles as the built-in tools of the OS itself. Some are simpler, others may be difficult to use.
Free hard disk partitioning programs are represented by such utilities:
- Partition Assistant by Aomei;
- Partition Master from EASEUS (free version);
- Partition Manager from Paragon;
- Cute Partition Manager;
- Minitool PW, etc.
Among paid software packages the most popular are the following:
- Partition Magic.
- Disk Director from Acronis.
- 7tools Partition Manager.
- Partition Master from EASEUS.
- Partition Wizard (professional version), etc.
Partitioning using the Mimitool PW application as an example
If we are talking about free utilities,Naturally, it will be an example of a freeware program for partitioning a hard disk, which is fairly easy to learn and does not require special skills and knowledge when used (for example, the English version is taken just in case, since it will not be difficult to sort out Russified applications).
In a running program, it is enough just to select the desired disk or partition that needs to be split and, through the PCM menu, select the Split command.
Then it remains only to specify the required size.New volume (New Partition Size) and press the confirmation button (“OK”). After that, the program for partitioning the hard disk with Windows 10 or another system to perform all further actions without user intervention. And this is a significant advantage.
What to use?
As you can see, almost any program forhard drive partitioning is not particularly difficult (except for the diskpart command utility). But, I think, the ordinary user does not even need the built-in Windows tools. Use the utility described in the example above, and all actions performed will be minimized. But when installing the system, you cannot do without Windows tools (although if there is any Acronis utility on the installation media, you can use its toolkit).
