Creating, deleting and formatting computer disk partitions is only part of the possibilities management applications hard drive . Today, they make it possible to securely perform operations that previously required data deletion or other mind-boggling combinations.
Many of the tasks performed through the Partition Manager can, in theory, be accomplished using 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. Apart from these functions, they also have functions for copying and moving partitions, creating images and backups.
Additional modules support system migration, merging and splitting partitions. Supports various partition schemes, dynamic disks, RAID configurations, various file systems and boot records.
Attention! Whenever you work with hard drive partitions, you need to carefully plan everything, execute backup data, make sure you select the correct one HDD or partition, before pressing Enter.
Attention! All operations carried out on partitions are fraught with risks. The editors recommend extreme caution and are not responsible for possible loss of data or other damage incurred by readers.
EaseUS Partition Master Disk Management
One of the most popular partition management programs hard drives on Windows. Ensures the allocation of new partitions without data loss.
Benefits of EaseUS Partition Master
- Easy conversion of partition type, primary to logical and vice versa
- Recovers deleted or non-existent partitions
- Supported hard drive capacity up to 8 TB
Flaws
- Inability to transfer data from HDD to SSD in the free version
License: freeware
Price: free
AOMEI Partition Assistant Disk Management
Also popular. Creates, divides, connects, copies hard drive partitions, changing their size, while saving files. System transfer is possible.
Advantages 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 computer hard drive partitions. Distributed as an ISO file. Install it on a flash drive or burn it to a CD and start your computer from it.
Benefits of GParted
- Does not require installation and does not take up disk space
- Attractive free offer for companies
- Wide range of partition management capabilities for almost any file system
Flaws
- Mastery takes time
- Only available with using Live CD
License: freeware
Price: free
MiniTool Partition Wizard
Performs all operations with hard disk partitions and also hides it. Copying the contents of the disk and changing the file system.
Advantages MiniTool Partition Wizard
- Lots of tools, including disk cleaning and checking
- Convenient visual wizard for each operation
- Allows you to convert NTFS to FAT32 without formatting, change the disk type from MBR to GPT
License: freeware
Price: free
Active@ Partition Manager
Performs operations on disk partitions. Formats the flash drive in FAT32 and NTFS. Fixes MBR disks. Converts MBR to GPT and vice versa.
Benefits of Active@ Partition Manager
- Disk Imaging Tool
- Convenient wizard for creating and changing partitions
- Built-in boot sector editor, allows you to manually make changes
- Shows data for hard drives
Flaws
- Just on English language
License: freeware
Price: free
The hard drive is the most important element of the system. It stores all available information - photos, videos, user files. Very often, a computer's operating system cannot cope with the tasks at hand - testing performance, checking clusters, merging partitions, or restoring a hard drive. This requires independent software. Below are the best programs for hard drives.
The most popular Runet program, because it is considered multifunctional, simple and convenient. Compatible with all operating systems (OS).
The application has both basic purposes (copying, moving, resizing, merging, splitting, deleting, restoring, etc.) and specific capabilities (FAT to NTFS conversion, OS cloning, MBR recovery, complete cleaning, change ID and serial number, viewing data on bad sectors, etc.).
Installation requires minimum conditions - at least 380 MB of RAM, X86 architecture processor.
Advantages:
- Russian interface;
- a wide range of operations and functions;
- intuitive navigation;
- does not require a long study, many operations are carried out in two clicks;
- presence of hints;
- updated regularly ( latest version- November 2018).
Flaws:
- Some functions are only available when paid subscription(PRO);
- there is no Portable option (i.e., the program requires installation, you won’t be able to run the application from a flash drive).
One of the best software for diagnosing a hard drive and monitoring its condition. Many specialized publications include this utility in their collections.
It has rich functionality - monitors HDD performance, reads S.M.A.R.T. indicators. (more than 50 attributes), monitors errors and temperature, regulates noise levels, supports external media.
Installation requires two conditions - Internet Explorer versions 8.0 and higher, NET platform. Framework versions 2.0 and later. Compatible with all OS.
- Russian interface;
- there is a color indicator (shows the status and t of the hard drive);
- it is possible to manage energy consumption;
- in stock Portable version(which can be launched from a flash drive without installation);
- updated regularly.
- does not support all SSDs;
- no explanation for S.M.A.R.T;
- difficult navigation;
- the presence of additional software during installation (if you do not uncheck the “checkboxes”, the “left” program will be loaded onto the computer).
The application is more suitable for a PC; this tool will not work as an administrator. It has a small functionality - split disks, create new ones, resize them, copy them, defragment them, optimize clusters, convert HFS+ to NTFS (and vice versa), find bad sectors.
Among the special requirements is the presence of Microsoft's integrated Visual C++ 10.0 Runtime. The program is compatible with all operating systems.
Advantages:
- clear interface, easy-to-learn utility;
- performs operations efficiently (there are no “glitches”);
- step-by-step wizard with graphical hints;
- support for all media.
Flaws:
- there is no Russian-language option;
- some functions are available only after a paid subscription;
- updated infrequently (last time in 2017).
The main purpose of the software is to operate with hard drive partitions. The main functions include formatting, editing, merging, deleting, creating new ones, cleaning and checking, converting NTFS to FAT32 (and vice versa), changing the disk type, testing for performance, copying and transferring to new media.
The application is compatible with all RAMs.
- multifunctionality (within the main task);
- visualization of the master;
- regularly updated (last time June 2018);
- very powerful product (works with volumes up to 2 TB).
- no Russian language.
There are Free and Pro options (with paid subscriptions).
Utility for low-level HDD formatting. The functionality is small but powerful - hiding “bad” sectors for recording data, permanently deleting information from the media, deleting MBR.
The application has two formatting levels - normal and low. It is capable of cleaning not only files, but also the entire partition table.
The program supports hard disks most manufacturers. Compatible with all OS.
Advantages:
- when formatting, it returns the HDD state to the factory state (used for “broken” media);
- simple interface;
- speed of work;
- works with all media;
- There is a version in Russian.
Flaws:
- demon paid version limited in speed (50 Mb/sec);
- There is a paid option;
- on many devices, S.M.A.R.T. data not available.
Another tool for using hard drive partitions. The main features of the program are consciousness, editing, merging, deleting, moving sections. And also - resizing, checking and copying. There is a function to recover data from a damaged sector.
The utility supports working with all file systems (ext, FAT, HFS, etc.). Works with any drive. Compatible with all OS.
- does not require installation;
- Wide and powerful functionality for managing hard drive partitions.
- in English;
- a little difficult to work with (takes time to master);
- access is possible via Live CD.
A solid, time-tested instrument. The utility is designed to test HDD performance and find errors. There are many options - viewing S.M.A.R.T parameters, detailed information about the hard drive (model, volume, properties, etc.), testing the surface for “broken” areas.
There are functions for advanced users - measuring settings and passport options, adjusting the timeout length for various elements. This product works with all drives. Compatible with Windows only.
Advantages:
- simple and intuitive interface;
- It is enough to have the skills of a confident PC user;
- does not require installation on a computer;
low level formatting.
Flaws:
- there is no Russian version;
- no hints;
- The speed in the 64-bit version is low.
Average price - 1700 rubles.
One of the most powerful tools for working with a hard drive with a full range of various operations. The only program that allows you to use all functionality both manually and automatically without losing data.
The product consists of 4 modules:
- partition manager (designed for creating, converting, changing volumes, deleting, and other operations);
- boot administrator (allows you to install several operating systems on your computer);
- disk editor (able to change HDD contents directly);
- recovery utility.
To install the application, certain conditions are required - the presence of RAM 512 MB or more, screen size of at least 1024 × 768, processor frequency - 1 GHz.
- ease of use, clear interface;
- powerful functionality (in the paid version);
- There is an option in Russian;
- regular update.
- Free demo version only.
The software is designed for hard drive diagnostics. The program tests the HDD for the presence of errors and “broken” sections, and reflects S.M.A.R.T indicators. The software tells you which area is in danger and requires reservation. Able to “isolate” it.
Available various settings for regulation - reduce noise, reduce energy consumption, control rotation when idle.
Advantages:
- attractive interface;
- high testing speed;
- detailed description of S.M.A.R.T. parameters;
- it is possible to synchronize with most information transfer protocols;
- reports on the operation of the software are visualized in detail;
- updated regularly (last time July 2018).
Flaws:
- in English;
- requires specific knowledge and skills (intended for professionals);
- does not interact with all drives;
- sometimes it isolates the working sector along with the damaged area.
MHDD
A powerful, time-tested, veteran utility that is used not only for testing HDDs, but also for “treating” damaged areas.
Principle of use - the tool monitors the surface of each sector, measuring access time. If there is a failure (time has expired, the information cannot be read), it marks the area as “damaged”. Afterwards he enters it into a special journal. The “Bad block” sector can be replaced with a reserve one.
The key functionality of the application is scanning and identifying damaged areas, remapping (replacing/reassigning) faulty sectors, low-level formatting and deleting data, obtaining S.M.A.R.T. parameters, independent performance analysis.
Uses low-level access. Has "hot" keys. The utility is available in three versions - ISO image, burning image boot disk, executable file.
- powerful tools for treating “broken” areas;
- a detailed log of the utility’s operation and user actions;
- identifies “problem” areas with high accuracy.
- the utility is complex and requires special knowledge and skills (for example, working in DOS);
- slow scanning;
- no S.M.A.R.T. editing;
- it is not always possible to recover information from “broken” areas;
- There is no Russian version.
How to choose
Which one and how to choose the best program for managing and restoring a hard drive is up to each user to decide for himself. It is important to understand here that all such products are divided into two unequal groups:
- universal utilities;
- highly specialized software.
There are very few of the first, these are Acronis Disk Director, Partition Manager. Using these products you can perform a whole range of hard drive maintenance and management tasks.
The second group is represented by a large number of programs. Their functionality is limited, but they benefit from the power and variety of operations of one function.
Depending on what specific main task the utility will perform, you can select the appropriate software.
The reasons why you need to divide your hard drive into several partitions are different for everyone. For some, this is an opportunity to systematize necessary information and store it correctly; someone using several partitions uses several operating systems on their computer or laptop. Finally, if the hard drive is divided into several parts, then it is easier to defragment them separately.
Standard PC equipment: the simpler the better
This program is rightfully considered one of the best or even the best hard drive partitioning program.
This is the most simple program, which will help you effectively manage multiple systems and different programs.
Its main advantages are eliminating partition errors, converting file systems and protecting data. Another advantage is that this utility is very popular, because there are many reference information online.
2. Disk management in Windows
At any Windows versions there is a “Disk Management” function: this is the simplest, most accessible and quite effective tool that allows you to change partitions.
Each version of Windows OS has its own differences, but in the most popular ones (Windows Vista, Windows 7 and 8) there are no fundamental differences. Let's take a closer look at how to partition a Windows hard drive using this utility.
The program opens through the Start menu, and in the “Disk Management” item, even a novice user with the help of three main points (Expand, Shrink and Delete volume) does everything in real time necessary actions. No special knowledge is required for this - just give affirmative or negative answers and click the desired menu items.
There is only one drawback of the standard program - there are risks of failures that lead to the loss of certain sections. Risk exists when there is a disc or mass unnecessary programs, or when trying to partition the partition of the hard drive in which Windows is running: the processor does not always respond unambiguously to an attempt to “experiment” with the system partition.
Free software for everyone
Two programs that can be downloaded absolutely free from the Internet - EaseUS Partition Master Home Edition and Paragon Partition Manager 11 Free - are also easy to learn and use, but require certain knowledge.
1. EaseUS Partition Master Home Edition
The program helps not only to partition a hard drive, but also to create, copy, resize or completely delete partitions; and also restore deleted partitions.
The disadvantage that affects the popularity of the program is that it is only available in English. But if you know English, you can appreciate the excellent functionality and predictability of the program, stability of operation and the ability to carry out all procedures in virtual mode - at any time you can correct a settings error, cancel the disk partition procedure and restore the original data.
2. Paragon Partition Manager 11 Free
The program again has an English-language interface, but for a beginner it is more interesting than the previous one - the main windows are quite clear and make it easier to navigate the functions. The disadvantages of the program include low speed and unpredictability.
If funds allow, you can purchase a Russian-language version of this program for money, but it also retains the main disadvantages of the English-language product.
Programs for advanced users
These programs have advanced functionality - support for various disks and flash drives, the ability to convert file systems, create bootable media and much more. The fundamental differences lie in speed, functionality and special features.
5. Active@ Partition Manager
This program is a free manager that simplifies working with logical drives: a system reboot is not required when creating, formatting or deleting disk partitions.
Even if you accidentally delete important partition data, the program will help you restore it!
But the inability to change disk sizes (the partition must first be deleted and then another created in the same place) leaves no chance of recovering lost information.
6. MiniTool Partition Wizard Home Edition
Experienced users can use the equally simple and accessible MiniTool Partition Wizard Home Edition manager. The most important advantage of the program is the ability to work with both a separate hard drive and RAID arrays created on the basis of two or more disks.
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The hard drive in your computer and the drive icon in the My Computer window are different concepts. For example, a computer may have one hard drive installed, while there may be several of them in “My Computer”. The reason for this strange discrepancy is that the hard drive can be divided into so-called partitions. This is called logical disk layout.
I will talk about why such markup is needed, how to do it correctly (and whether it should be done at all), and also tell you about free programs for such a delicate procedure.
Why do you need to partition your hard drive?
There are several reasons to partition a hard drive:
- Partitions on a hard drive are primarily needed for proper storage of information. For example, some users prefer the following division: operating system and programs on one disk (usually C), documents - on the second ( D), photo archive on the third ( E) and so on. In this case, there may well be only one hard drive.
- If you have one hard drive, but want to have two or more operating systems, you will have to divide the hard drive into partitions, since Windows and other operating systems can only be installed on different partitions or hard drives.
- Manufacturers of laptops (and some computers from famous manufacturers such as Acer) have their own reason for dividing hard drive partitions: on a section that is visible as a disk C, Windows installed, second ( D) is completely empty, and the third (which is not visible in the “My Computer” window) stores a compressed copy of the partition C. This hidden section hard drive is called recovery partition. If something happened to the operating system (“Windows crashed” - as some users like to say), then when you turn on the laptop, just press a key combination (see which one - see the instructions for the laptop) and a special program will clean the disk C, then unpacks the contents of the hidden partition there. As a result, the user will receive a laptop with the programs that were originally on it at the time of purchase in the store. Disk D however, it will not be changed. The conclusion suggests itself: if you store all documents on a laptop with such a recovery system not on drive C, A only on D, can be restored at any time damaged Windows brand new, without losing important data. By the way, any advanced user can make such a recovery system for themselves, but I’ll tell you about it some other time.
- The Windows 7 and Windows 8 operating systems, when installed on a blank, “unpartitioned” hard drive, create a hidden partition of 100-350 megabytes in size. This small partition stores a bootloader designed, oddly enough, to boot Windows. This partition will not exist or its contents will be damaged - and the computer will not start the operating system, displaying the message “Boot fail”, “Cannot find boot device”, “Boot error” or similar on a black screen, the meaning of which is the same - the boot disk with operating system. Actually, the bootloader can be stored on disk C:, and/or in hidden sectors of the hard drive (outside partitions), but the developers decided in Windows 7/8 to use a separate hidden partition in order to somehow protect the boot loader from damage by other programs, viruses or the user.
- There are other reasons for partitioning a hard drive. For example, for the GNU/Linux operating systems to work correctly, several sections must be created, but this is the topic of a separate article; we will not consider them here.
So, The main reasons for partitioning a hard drive are: for the convenience of storing information, for installing several operating systems, for operating a recovery system, for storing the Windows 7/8 bootloader.
A little theory: file systems, partition types
Information about partitions (i.e. logical drives) is stored in a "partition table". Each logical drive can have its own file system. You can read more about all this in the Wikipedia articles: Disk partition, Logical disk, File system. A novice user only needs to know the bare minimum:
- If you divide your hard drive into logical drives (partitions), Disk capacity will not increase- there’s simply nowhere to find free space! You can make partitions of any size, but in total they cannot be larger than the capacity of the real hard drive. Less please. Then you will have unallocated free space, not visible in My Computer, from which you can get one or more new partitions. This is a question I often get from newbies, so I put it first.
- Exist primary (main) And extended (additional) sections. One hard drive cannot have more than four main partitions (see the links above for why this is so), so they came up with an extended partition - this is a primary partition that can include any number of partitions. As a result, thanks to the extended partition, the hard drive can have any number of partitions - tens, hundreds.
- Each partition can have its own file system. IN this moment For Windows installations Vista, 7 and 8 can only use NTFS, and outdated Windows XP can be installed on disks with the FAT32 file system. However, I do not recommend doing this, as it imposes too many restrictions. Make all partitions in NTFS - everything will work as it should.
- Any hard drive must be partitioned one way or another. In one or more logical drives - it's up to you. When purchased, the hard drive is usually already partitioned into one partition - this is what the manufacturer decided. If you are satisfied with this way of organizing information, leave it alone.
- It is very undesirable to partition the disk in laptops - most of them have hidden recovery partitions that can be damaged (see point 3 of the previous chapter).
- If you bought a 2 terabyte hard drive, but in “My Computer” it is “only” 1.86 terabytes (1860 gigabytes), then do not rush back to the store. It's all about how manufacturers and Windows calculate the volume. Read more about this in the Wikipedia article Hard Drive. The larger the size of the hard drive, the more clearly it is clear that there are fewer real gigabytes.
- Sections can be delete, create, move(change their physical position on the disk), resize them, format them, convert them file systems on partitions from one to another. Moreover, many programs can do this while saving all the data. There are other operations, but novice users most often need the above.
- If there is an error during the process of changing partitions (see point 7), information is almost always lost. Yes, it can be restored (or part of it) using special programs with the participation of specialists, but it is best to save all of it in advance important information to other disks (not logical, but real disks) or flash drives, so as not to pay money for data recovery.
Disk Management in Windows
Windows has standard remedy section changes - " Disk management". Depending on the version of Windows, the capabilities of this program change slightly, but in general over the past years (if we talk about Windows Vista, 7, 8) there have been no major changes. Windows XP looks more modest in this regard - apart from formatting and changing the drive letter, there is little that can be done there.
As an example I’ll take “ Disk management» Windows 7. You can open this program in several ways:
- The simplest one is to click right click line by line Computer on the menu Start- select an item Control- in a new window select Disk management.
- Opening Control Panel - Administration - Computer management - Disk management.
- Click Start - Execute(or the Win+R key combination) - enter in the window that opens diskmgmt.msc- press OK.
Disk management looks like that:
Here you can see both physical disks (including DVD drives, flash drives and other devices for storing information) and logical ones, i.e. virtual - hidden partition of the Windows 7 boot loader, disks C And D. The number of disks on your computer may vary.
Basic actions are available by right-clicking on the desired section:
The list of actions is quite meager:
- Items Open, Conductor allow you to view the contents of disks
- Make the section active- indicate on which disk (partition) the bootloader is located. In Windows 7 and 8, this is a system-reserved partition. You cannot make another partition active - the operating system will stop loading.
- Change drive letter or drive path- you can change the drive letter displayed in the Computer window or display it as a folder. Yes, partitions can be displayed not only as disks, but also as folders on any disk.
- Format- you can read about this in the Wikipedia Formatting article. The item opens a window with which you can start high-level formatting.
- Extend volume- if there is space on the hard drive that is not marked as a partition, then you can expand the partition size using this free space.
- Shrink Volume- this item allows you to reduce the size of the partition. The result will be the formation of unallocated space, which can be used to expand the volume of another section (see the previous paragraph).
- Delete volume- delete the section. Don't click on an item without thoroughly considering the consequences. If you delete a partition, the information on it can only be saved using special programs, and even then not always.
- Properties- a properties window will open with information about the selected disk (partition).
Of course, this is not a complete list of possibilities. Disk Management. You can create dynamic disks, for example. However, this is of no use to novice users; this article is intended specifically for them.
So, to create, delete, resize partitions via Disk management, you only need three menu items: Expand Volume, Shrink Volume, Delete Volume.
All operations take place in real time, i.e. after clicking the desired item and answering the question in the affirmative - do we want to do this - the actual action occurs.
Do not forget that there is a risk of failure, due to which we could lose either one or all of the partitions. This applies primarily to computers with a large number of unnecessary programs - each of them may be the culprit in deleting all data. Moreover, the scenario is when you need to change the partition from which Windows is launched (usually this is the disk C), is the worst - most often users experience problems when they try to change the system partition.
To minimize the risk of failure, There are three methods:
- Insert the hard drive into another computer and change partitions from it by running Disk management or any other program for changing partitions. Due to the fact that Windows will be launched from another drive, no programs will go onto the foreign drive, interfering with a critical operation.
- Boot from a Live CD - the operating system and programs will be launched not from the hard drive, but from a CD or DVD, flash drive - again, nothing will interfere with changing partitions.
- To change partitions, use a program that can work in Native mode. For example, disk check C always works in this mode - a black window with white text before loading the Desktop. In this mode, a minimum number of programs are launched and the risk of failure is minimal.
The third option is the simplest, because the user essentially does not need to do anything - just restart the computer and wait a few minutes. The following two review programs can do this.
Free for home use program for changing hard disk partitions.
By clicking on a section (it doesn’t matter - in the list at the top, on the picture below), you can see a menu (both a pop-up and in the left panel) with all the required actions:
Resize/Move partition- resize the partition and/or move its physical position on the disk. By the way, the official website says that EaseUS Partition Master version Home (free) does not support changing partitions. This is not true - everything works great.
Copy partition- copy the partition to another disk with all the information on it.
Merge partitions- merging two or more sections. Convenient if you need to save information on your hard drive, but reduce the number of partitions. Convert to logical/primary- conversion to logical (extended)/main (primary) partition.
Change label- change the disc label.
Change drive letter- change the drive letter.
Defragment- launch standard Windows programs to defragment the disk.
Check partition- check the disk for errors using again standard program Windows.
Hide partition- make sure that the partition is not visible in the “Computer” window.
Delete partition- deleting a section.
Format partition- partition formatting.
Wipe partition- clearing the contents of the section. All folders and files will be deleted, the partition will remain. Information deleted in this way cannot be restored.
Explore partition- view the contents of the section.
View properties- see how much space is occupied on the partition, what file system it has, and find out other technical information.
The list of actions changes depending on where you click. In the screenshot above, I clicked on the non-system section. By clicking on the system partition (where Windows is running), there will be no delete, hide, or cleanup options. If you click on the physical disk icon, the list of actions will be completely different:
I will list the points:
Copy disk- the contents of the entire disk are copied: partitions, information in them. To do this, you need a second disk of the same or larger capacity.
Upgrade disk- the function is primarily needed for Windows migration on new hard larger disk. The partition is copied and increased in size in proportion to the size of the new hard drive.
Delete all partitions- delete all sections.
Wipe disk- the same as the previous paragraph, only with special deletion algorithms, making it impossible to restore the information.
Surface test- checking the disk surface (physical). Allows you to detect bad sectors (so-called “bads”, “bad blocks”).
View properties- display information about the disk.
Yes, knowledge of English is clearly required here, especially considering that almost every item opens a window with settings for the action being performed. After you have made the necessary manipulations, you need to apply the changes by pressing a button Apply(Apply):
Only then will the partition changes begin. This process may take some time - from a couple of minutes to several hours.
Depending on whether the system partition is affected or not, operations are carried out either immediately in the window, or you will need to restart the computer and start changing the partition in Native mode:
The program has so many functions that it is impossible to list them all. I recommend that you read the help for EaseUS Partition Master. It is in English, unfortunately, but you can use Google Translator. The translation is quite understandable.
Pros of EaseUS Partition Master Home Edition:
- Lots of functions.
- All actions are “virtual” until you click the Apply button. This means that you can cancel operations before this “point of no return” and try to do something else with the partitions. Or don’t do it at all if you change your mind.
- Works stably and predictably. For example, during testing, while changing partitions, I started copying files to the partition that was to be changed. Result - a window appeared stating that it was not possible to lock the partition, all operations were interrupted, the data did not disappear anywhere.
- The program is free for home use.
Cons of EaseUS Partition Master Home Edition:
- The interface is in English only.
- There are, perhaps, too many possibilities - this can confuse beginners.
- A serious failure during the operation will lead to serious consequences.
- For example, if you turn off the computer while changing a partition, the data on the partition will disappear. However, this is a minus of absolutely all programs for changing partitions.
Conclusion: the program is good. You can and should use it; there is no alternative among free programs.
Paragon Partition Manager 11 Free
Free program for changing partitions from a company based in Russia. Unfortunately, the program is in English. What made the developers take such a step is unclear. Moreover, the paid version of the program is Russian.
The main window of the program is no different from the window of the hero of the previous review, except that the buttons have changed their order:
Deserves special mention Express Mode(Simplified mode). By clicking on this button, we will get a window with a list of the most frequent actions:
One could say that this is an ideal mode for beginners, if not for one “but”: everything here is in English. Moreover, I had a suspicion that the English here was somehow incorrect, as if it was not a person who was translating, but a machine.
Pros of Paragon Partition Manager 11 Free:
- Many windows are clear enough to understand the functions.
- Some operations are carried out immediately in the program window, some (if required) in Native mode. That is, the program does everything to reduce the chance of data loss.
- The program is free to use at home.
Cons of Paragon Partition Manager 11 Free:
- English-language, and due to the strange construction of phrases it is quite difficult to perceive.
- The simplified Express Mode works exactly the opposite: firstly, the descriptions of operations and the operations themselves have more technical subtleties than is required; secondly, this mode is very capricious and does not really work, producing meaningless errors.
- The program is too slow. For example, deleting a 38 GB hard drive partition took me about 5 minutes - quite long for such a simple operation.
Conclusion: The program works, but somehow it is unpredictable. I do not recommend using this program, fortunately there is an alternative in the form of EaseUS Partition Master Home.
Changing partitions during installation of Windows 7, 8, 10
This tool also deserves a mention.
We take any installation disk with Windows Vista, Windows 7, 8 or 10, start the disk installation, go to the partition selection and click Disk setup:
It seems that everything is simple: you need to click on a section in the list, then the action button. Unfortunately, there is little action here: deletion, formatting, partitioning and expansion.
You can, for example, delete a partition and, using the freed up space, increase the size of another partition or partitions (when selecting the desired partitions, you must press the Delete and Expand buttons in turn).
Alas, a very popular operation - reducing the size of partitions - is not here. You can delete the partition, then re-create a new one with a smaller partition, but, unfortunately, we will lose the data.
All operations take place in real time, i.e. after pressing the button the action occurs.
Result: editing partitions during Windows installation is an extremely primitive tool. It works, but performs only a limited list of actions, among which the only one that saves data is increasing (expanding) the size of the partition. If you need to install Windows and do not need to save data on partitions, then the tool will come in handy.
If you suddenly accidentally deleted a partition during Windows installation or through some program, do not despair - the partition recovery function is included in EaseUS Partition Master Home Edition.
In order to recover a deleted hard drive partition, don't touch the partitions, immediately boot into Windows (or insert the hard drive into another computer if you deleted the system partition and Windows boot impossible), then run the above program, click on the line with the word in the list Unallocated("Unallocated"), then click the button Partition recovery.
The rest, as they say, is a matter of technique - the action wizard will tell you where to click, where to check the boxes, and then restore your deleted disk.
Tip #2: Installing two or more Windows operating systems on one hard drive
All you need for this is several sections. If your hard drive already has a second partition that is visible in the " Computer" - make sure that there is at least 20 GB of free space (more is better), then during Windows installation simply specify this second (third, fourth, etc.) disk. Once installed, you will be able to select Windows using a menu that appears when you turn on your computer.
If you have one disk ( C), I suggest the simplest option: Through Disk management give it to the section first WITH team Compress, reducing it by at least 20 gigabytes (or better yet, more, because in addition to Windows you will also be installing programs):
Right click on drive C...
After pressing the button Compress disk size C decreases, unallocated (free) space appears in the partition map:
We indicate unallocated space. The installer will create the partition itself.
After installation, you will have two operating systems. You can create unallocated spaces or empty disks and indicate them for installation.
Thanks to reader Vladimir for raising this topic.
You may have noticed that in the screenshots of the Disk Management window, all partitions are marked with a blue stripe. You may have sections with green stripes. What is the difference between blue and green sections?
A green bar in Disk Management is a sign of an extended (additional) partition. As I wrote above, there may be “nested” sections inside, which from the user’s point of view are no different from the main (primary) ones. Nested partitions have one peculiarity - if you reduce their size, then due to the free space that appears, you will not be able to simply expand the main partition. You must first shrink the extended partition itself (which stores free space and the reduced partition) so that free space is created outside of any partitions, only then can you expand the disks.
Standard Disk Management does not work well with extended disks, so if you see green marks instead of blue ones, it is better to use free programs above - they will reduce the extended partitions, move the free space where needed and expand the main disk.
This article talks about how to create, change or delete hard drive partitions using Windows 7.
To work with hard drive partitions in Windows 7, there is a tool called “Disk Management”: Control Panel → System and Security → Administrative Tools → Computer Management → Disk Management OR “Start” → in the search bar enter: diskmgmt.msc and press Enter.
1. Creating a section
Right-click on a free space not occupied by other partitions the right hard disk → Create a simple volume... The “Simple Volume Creation Wizard” window will open, click the “Next” button. Then specify the size of the partition to be created, assign a drive letter, select the required file system and formatting options, once again make sure that you did everything correctly and click “Finish”
2. Compressing a Partition
Shrink Volume... A message window will appear asking for space for compression, wait until the end of the survey. Then in the window that appears, in the line “size of compressed space”, indicate the amount of free space and click “Compress”
3. Section expansion
Right-click on the desired section → Extend volume... The “Volume Expansion Wizard” window will appear, click the “Next” button. Then select the required free space from the list, click “Add”, then specify the amount of free space allocated to the partition, click the “Next” button, check the information and click “Finish”
4. Deleting a partition
Right-click on the desired section → Delete volume...Before continuing the operation, copy everything necessary files and folders to another disk, because Once a volume is deleted, all data on it will be lost.
5. Changing the drive letter
Right-click on the desired section → Change drive letter or drive path... Click on the Change button, select the desired drive letter and click OK. Next, we will look in detail at ways to expand disks without harming the information stored on them.
In order to divide the hard drive into partitions, you need to go to the "Start" menu → right-click on "Computer" and click on "Manage".
In the window that appears, go to the "Disk Management" section.
Select the hard drive and partition that needs to be divided and right-click on it.
In the drop-down menu, you need to select "Shrink Volume" and then select the size to which you want to shrink the existing partition. The space freed up after compression will be the new hard drive partition.
To create a new partition, you need to right-click on the free space and select “create volume”. Then specify the size of the new partition and wait for the operation to complete. Sooner or later, any computer user faces such a problem as lack of free space on the system partition of the hard drive. This is where the question arises: How to expand drive C?
First we need to go to the "Computer Management" tab (see above).
When this tab opens, you will see in the window all the media that are currently connected to the computer. Each hard drive can be divided into several logical ones. The very first one will be "Disk 0". On the right you will see the space reserved by the system and the logical partitions (C, D, E, F, etc.). If you have only one drive C and it is full, then you can try “Shrink Volume” (see above). If you have several logical partitions, then move on.
The principle of disk division.
The principle of action is this: we must expand drive C at the expense of the adjacent logical partition. This could be drive D, E, and so on. In the same way, you can increase not only section C, but also others, if you have such a need. So, delete the adjacent disk, for example, D. Right-click on it and select the “Delete Volume” option. Click OK. Immediately after this this volume should appear in black. The message “Volume is not allocated” should appear on it. Now we can add the space we need to drive C. To do this, right-click on partition C and select “Extend volume”. Click "Next" and select the size you want to add.You can use the maximum size as suggested by default, or select one of your own. Click "Next" and then "Finish". If no additional windows pop up, then the operation was successful. You have learned how to expand a disk using Windows 7. The main thing to remember is that the system partition can only be expanded if there is free space to the right of it. Otherwise, nothing will work.
Possible difficulties.
What other difficulties could there be? Let's say we have five volumes. We want to configure them in such a way that part of the space is added to drive C, and the other to drive D. When deleting one of the partitions, the “Delete Volume” function may not be active, and the “Extend Volume” function may not be available on volume C.The whole point is that the section style can be used MBR*. This is an outdated style. In this case, two adjacent volumes can be connected by a green frame. This means that you cannot create more than four volumes with the MBR partition style.
Windows 8 provides the same tools for increasing space. Therefore, this method is also applicable on this operating system.
Partitioning a hard drive in the operating room Windows system 7 is a very simple thing. You can see this for yourself if you partition and create a new partition according to the described algorithm.
*MBR (Master Boot Record) main boot record in a PC - a table in the first sector of the boot disk that stores data about the physical and logical organization of the disk. If this record is corrupted, loading the OS becomes impossible.
That's all. Thank you for reading the article. I hope it was useful to you.
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