The performance and usability of the system depends on the condition of the hard disk. Cluttered media reduces performance, slows down the system, and is more prone to errors and crashes. Adequate disk management and the use of custom partitions improve its performance, increase comfort and positively affect the security of data and equipment. There are many tools and programs for working with a hard drive. Some of them differ only in graphical interface and price.
Selecting a program for working with hard disk partitions.
GParted is an advanced program for working with hard disk partitions that does not require the operating system to run. Once downloaded, the program is offered as an ISO disk image, which must be burned to a CD/DVD. After burning, restart your computer and choose to start from the CD/DVD. The program allows you to create, delete and resize an existing partition. A big plus of the program is the ability to change the size of the partition on which the system is installed. The program supports most known file types, including fat16, fat32, ntfs, ext2, ext3 and ext4. Before any operations on partitions, it is recommended to perform preliminary defragmentation and backup of the most important files. Partition resizing can take anywhere from a few minutes to several hours.
How to use the program:
- Back up your important files!
- Download the GParted program and burn it to disk.
- Insert the disc into the drive and restart your computer.
- When the motherboard manufacturer splash screen appears, press the F8 key (sometimes it can be F9, F10, F11, F12, depending on the manufacturer) and select boot from CD / DVD.
- Once downloaded, select GParted Live from the list.
- Click "Don't touch keymap".
- Select language (Russian - 24).
- "Which mode do you prefer?" – 0 and confirm with ENTER.
- A search will begin for all available hard drives and partitions that have already been created on them. This may take several minutes.
- If you need to repartition the disk, first delete all previously created partitions. To do this, delete them one by one (the “Delete” trash can icon). If you don't have any sections yet, skip this step.
- In the list with sections, click on the place with unallocated space. Then click on the white sheet icon ("New").
- In the window that opens, you need to set the parameters for the new partition: size, partition type (primary, extended or logical) and its file system, partition name. Then confirm the addition of the section with the "Add" button.
- After creating the section, confirm the actions by selecting the green checkmark icon. The program will start creating partitions. This may take several minutes.
- The next step is to close the main window and double click on the "Exit" icon.
- Restart your computer.
After the reboot, the new disk partitions will be ready to use.
One of the most convenient disk management programs, EaseUS Partition Master, supports RAID devices. The application is equipped with a Wipe module, thanks to which the user can permanently erase files so that their recovery is impossible (especially useful before selling a hard drive). Each operation requires additional confirmation and becomes the first in the queue, so the risk of error is minimal. Let's see how to use this program to organize a disk that contains too many or too few partitions:
- Download the program and run the installation.
IMPORTANT. Please do not download additional tools during installation.
- After the application is installed, launch partition management to go to management.
- Select the drive you want to format, right-click it and select the Delete Data option.
- Set the number of disk cleanup repetitions to 1, and click OK.
IMPORTANT. Formatting the drive means that all data will be permanently deleted.
- The task is added to the list of pending operations in the window on the left.
- Then select the "Create Partition" option.
- Then you need to set up a new partition, select its size, enter a name and select a letter. After entering all the data, click "OK".
You can create multiple partitions on a drive, but remember that if you create a partition on a USB drive, Windows will only be able to read the primary partition.
- To complete all tasks in the Pending Operations list, simply click Apply Changes.
How to create a new section:
- Select the system partition.
- The Actions panel displays the available functions.
- If you are using a hard disk, it is recommended to defragment the partition first. Select Defragment, then click OK.
- After defragmenting, select Resize/Move Partition.
In the next window, drag the borders to the left with the pointer - this will reduce the size of the system disk.
- If you perform SSD partitioning operations, check the "Optimize SSD" box.
- Click "OK" to confirm the operation.
- In the Apply Changes window, click Yes. A message will appear asking you to restart your computer. Click Yes. The disk will be partitioned and the computer will restart.
- Start EaseUS again. Click in an empty space and in the Actions panel, select Create Partitions.
- If it is an SSD, then check the "Optimize SSD" box. Click OK. Unallocated space will be formatted as a new drive.
Combining sections:
- In EASEUS Partition Master, select a partition on drive C. In the Actions panel, select Merge Partitions.
- Select the second section, it should be an adjacent section. Select the target drive from the list. Files from the second section will be placed in a separate folder. Click OK, then Yes. Sections will be merged.
The program also has a diagnostic module that allows you to search for bad sectors and manage the structure of the hard drive. An important feature is the pre-separation before approving changes, thanks to which the user has full control over the planned actions. The rest of the programs in the review work on the same principles as those described above.
One of the best hard drive software that supports hard drives with a capacity of more than 2 TB. Each partition can be archived as a backup, which allows you to restore data after a possible failure. The user can also change the file system from FAT to NTFS, and there is no need to reboot the system after every resizing of the NFTS partition. The application is equipped with interesting modules, including a disk map, which shows a graphical view of the partitions on the disk, Disk Surface Test, which offers basic disk diagnostics, and the Partition Surfece Test - analysis of a specific partition.
Free utility for Windows 7 and later Microsoft operating systems. Created on the Visual Operating System (ViOpSys) environment and runs from a bootable CD/DVD at system startup. Allows you to create new sections, divide, move and delete existing ones and copy their contents. In addition, the user has modules for defragmenting and formatting partitions. The program has low system requirements, so it can be used on older hardware (Pentium-class x86 processor, 32 MB RAM or 16 MB in text mode).
A powerful and functional disk and partition management tool, equipped with diagnostic and repair modules for working in Windows 10 and earlier versions. In addition to the basic functions of creating, copying and deleting partitions, you can back up and restore data lost as a result of, for example, a hard drive failure. The application is equipped with a "tom finder" that allows you to find and recover deleted data. The program supports the most popular file systems such as FAT12, FAT16, FAT32, NTFS, EXT2 and EXT3, as well as DE, SCSI, SATA media. Allows you to manage virtual storage media and RAID. The built-in diagnostic module allows you to analyze the state of the disk, find and fix any errors (including recovering a damaged MBR).
A program designed to create copies of Windows system partitions. Allows you to quickly clone a partition to a new disk, so you can work on new media without having to go through the operating system installation procedure. When moving a section, you can change its volume or leave it in its original size. The program supports files in FAT and NTFS, IDE, SATA, SCSII, USB and FIREWIRE interfaces.
An application designed to manage USB storage devices (cards, pendrives, external drives) that supports FAT16, FAT 32 and NTFS file systems. Allows you to create, copy and delete partitions, format memory and create bootable media, for example, with an operating system or another program. The program is equipped with a diagnostic module that checks the performance of the hard drive and the size of the media.
Allows you to analyze disk resources, provides detailed information about files and displays them in graphical form. For example, their size and location. The user can determine what data and in what form will be displayed. The application generates reports from the collected data in HTML, ASCII and XML formats.
Conclusion
Thus, we have introduced you to the best programs for working with hard disk partitions. You just need to try them out and decide which one suits you best. And if after reading this article you still have questions, then feel free to ask them in the comments.
Creating, deleting and formatting computer disk partitions is only part of the possibilities hard drive management applications. Today, they allow you to securely carry out operations that previously required deletion of data or other dizzying combinations.
Many tasks implemented through the partition manager can, in theory, be performed using the built-in Windows 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. 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 carefully, back up your data, and make sure you select the correct hard disk or partition before pressing Enter .
Attention! All operations carried out on partitions are burdened with risks. The editors recommend that you take special care and is not responsible for possible loss of data or other damage incurred by readers.
Disk Management EaseUS Partition Master
One of the most popular programs for managing hard disk partitions in Windows. Provides allocation of new partitions without data loss.
Benefits of EaseUS Partition Master
- Simple conversion of partition type, primary to logical and vice versa
- Recovers deleted or non-existent partitions
- Supported hard drive capacity up to 8TB
Flaws
- 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 partitions of hard drives, changing their size, while saving files. It is possible to transfer the system.
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 computer hard disk partitions. 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
- Does not require installation and does not take up disk space
- Attractive free offer for companies
- Extensive partition management capabilities for virtually any file system
Flaws
- Mastering takes time
- Only available via Live CD
License: freeware
Price: free
MiniTool Partition Wizard
Carries out all operations with hard disk partitions, also hides it. Copying the contents of the disk and changing the file system.
Benefits of MiniTool Partition Wizard
- Many tools, including cleaning and checking the disk
- 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
[email protected] Partition manager
Performs operations on disk partitions. Formats a flash drive in FAT32 and NTFS. Fixes MBR disks. Converts MBR to GPT and vice versa.
Advantages [email protected] Partition manager
- Disc imaging tool
- Convenient wizard for creating and modifying partitions
- Built-in boot sector editor, allows you to manually make changes
- Shows data for hard drives
Flaws
- Only in English
License: freeware
Price: free
Multilingual registered version!
Aomei Partition Assistant- a powerful program for working with a hard disk, partition administration for PCs and workstations. The program will answer questions such as: “How to resize a partition or merge partitions without losing data? How to increase computer performance? In addition, PA includes AOMEI Dynamic Disk Manager Pro (DDM), which means it has the ability to manage a dynamic disk volume.
System requirements:
Windows 10 | 8.1 | 8 | 7 | vista | XP
· Windows SBS 2003 | 2008 | 2011
Windows Server 2012 and 2012 R2 | Server 2008 and 2008 R2 | Server 2003 and 2003 R2
Torrent Hard Disk Partitioning - AOMEI Partition Assistant Technician Edition 6.6 RePack by KpoJIuK in detail:
Key features:
· Ability to expand the NTFS system partition without restarting the computer to maximize computer performance and minimize downtime;
· Merging adjacent partitions into one big one without losing data, or combining unallocated space into a partition;
Splitting one large partition into two or more partitions;
·Create as many partitions as you need without using free disk space;
· Copy partitions for Windows system migration or when backing up important data;
· Cloning the hard drive helps with its upgrade;
· Quick distribution of free space from one partition to another for full use of disk space.
New opportunities:
OS Migration to SSD/HDD: For many SSD users, this simple technology can help you migrate your OS to an SSD and keep the original system.
Partition recovery: recover lost or deleted partitions in a few steps.
Partition Alignment: speeding up disks when reading and writing data, especially SSD disks.
Creation of bootable CDs: performs secure disk partition management in WinPE mode and boot from CD/DVD, USB flash memory.
MBR Overwrite: overwriting from the master boot disk to a corrupted MBR hard disk for easy recovery.
·Conversion between GPT and MBR: converting from a GPT to MBR disk without data loss and vice versa.
Linux Partition Management: creation, deletion, formatting, copying, destruction, restoration of Ext2/Ext3 partitions.
·Changing the partition type (ID) and changing the serial number.
Changes in version 6.6:
Fully support exFAT file system, including create, delete, format, move, and copy exFAT partition.
The Windows PE bootable media created on 64-bit system support both UEFI and Legacy BIOS boot modes.
Remove the limitation to resize/move system boot partition in Windows 10, version 1703 and later.
Version features:
·A type: installation [official installer]
·Languages: multi, there is Russian
·Treatment: carried out
Command line switches:
Silent Install: /S /Q
Select installation location: /D=PATH
The /D=PATH option is specified last
Existing primary partitions and logical drives can be reduced in size by adding adjacent free space on the same drive. For example, if there is a need for an additional partition but no additional disks, you can shrink the existing partition from the end of the volume to create unallocated space that can be used for the new partition. The compression operation can be blocked by the presence of files of a certain type (for more information, see the subsection "What to also consider").
When shrinking a partition, all simple files are automatically moved to another area of the disk to free up additional space. There is no need to format the drive to shrink the partition.
Note: If the partition is an unformatted partition (i.e. without any file system) containing data (e.g. a database file), then compressing the partition may cause the data to be destroyed
Start- right click Computer- select Control. Choose an item Shrink Volume
Follow the instructions. It is advisable to leave the size of the main partition at least 40 GB. After compression, a new unallocated partition will appear, which will need to be formatted.
Note: You can only compress basic volumes that do not have any file system or have a file system NTFS
What should also be considered
- When shrinking a partition, some files (such as the swap file or shadow copy storage area) cannot be moved automatically, limiting partition shrinkage to the point where non-movable files reside. If the shrink operation fails, check the Application log for Event 259, which indicates a file that cannot be moved. If you know the clusters or the cluster associated with the file that is interfering with the shrink operation, you can also enter the command at the command line fsutil(enter fsutil volume querycluster /? to view the syntax). When setting the parameter querycluster the result of the command points to an unrelocatable file that is preventing the compression operation from being completed.
In some cases, you can temporarily move this file. For example, if the file being moved is a paging file, you can use the Control Panel to move it to another drive, shrink the volume, and then move the paging file back.
- You cannot shrink a partition if too many bad clusters are found during dynamic remapping. If this happens, you should move the data and replace the drive. Do not use block-level copying to transfer data. This will copy the bad sector table and the new drive will treat the sectors as bad even though they are good.
- You can shrink primary partitions and logical drives on partitions that do not have any file system, or on partitions with a file system NTFS.
Enlarging the main section
A logical drive is expanded by contiguous free space on the same extended partition that contains it. If there is not enough free space on the partition to expand the logical drive, the partition is enlarged to fit the logical drive.
For logical disks, boot volumes, or system volumes, you can only expand a volume with contiguous disk space, and only if the disk can be converted to dynamic. For other volumes, it is possible to expand with non-contiguous disk space, however, with the condition that the disk be converted to dynamic.
Open the disk management environment: Start- right click Computer- select Control. Select the item , right-click on the main section and Extend Volume. Follow the instructions.
For normal and stable operation of the operating system of any personal computer or laptop, it is necessary to properly partition the space on the hard disk (perform HDD partitioning). Often when buying a computer in a store, you may encounter the fact that all the hard drive space is reserved for only one system drive (usually this is the C drive). Such a setting for the distribution of HDD memory is not entirely correct. In addition, it can adversely affect the operation of the computer, because important documents and system files may be at risk of disappearing (it is recommended to use a separate partition on the hard disk for such data).Therefore, in order to avoid any troubles associated with improper use of the computer's HDD memory, it is customary to divide it into several additional partitions (disks), one of which is usually reserved for the needs of the operating system. Nevertheless, it should be remembered that the process of partitioning a hard disk is a very responsible and scrupulous procedure. Before starting it, it is recommended to back up all important documents to a USB flash drive or other storage medium, and then proceed directly to changing the size of the disk space.
So, in order to partition a hard drive, you have to go through several step-by-step procedures. First of all, you should select the disk partition that you want to split into subsections. After that, you must specify the size of the new partition that you want to create, indicating the type of file system. Having passed all these points, you can start the HDD partitioning procedure itself. As a result of successful completion of this operation, the program will display a list of changes made. It is also worth noting that most modern hard drive programs will help you not only split the HDD, but also merge them, perform deep formatting and other complex procedures.