How to partition an external drive. How to partition a disk using the command line


Partitioning a disk into several partitions is a very common procedure among users. Using such a HDD is much more convenient, since it allows you to separate system files from custom ones and manage them conveniently.

Smash HDD You can split partitions into parts in Windows 10 not only during system installation, but also after it, and for this it is not necessary to use third-party programs, since such a function is available in Windows itself.

In this article we will look at how to divide a HDD into logical partitions. This can be done in an already installed operating system and when reinstalling the OS. At his discretion, the user can use the standard Windows utility or third party programs.

Method 1: Using programs

One of the options for dividing the drive into partitions is to use third party programs. Many of them can be used in running Windows, and as bootable flash drive, when it is impossible to partition a disk while the OS is running.

MiniTool Partition Wizard

Popular free solution, working with different types drives is . The main advantage of this program is the ability to download an image with an ISO file from the official website to create a bootable flash drive. Partitioning a disk here can be done in two ways at once, and we will look at the simplest and fastest one.


The letter of the new volume can later be changed manually via "Disk Management".

Acronis Disk Director

Unlike the previous program, - paid option, which also has a large number of functions and can partition the disk. The interface is not very different from MiniTool Partition Wizard, but it is in Russian. Acronis Disk Director can also be used as boot software if operations cannot be performed while Windows is running.


EaseUS Partition Master

- a program with a trial period, like Acronis Disk Director. Its functionality includes various features, including disk partitioning. In general, it is similar to the two analogues listed above, and the difference mainly comes down to appearance. There is no Russian language, but you can download a language pack from the official website.


Method 2: Windows built-in tool

To perform this task you need to use the built-in utility "Disk Management".

  1. Click on the button Start right click and select "Disk Management". Or press on your keyboard Win+R, enter diskmgmt.msc in the empty field and click "OK".

  2. The main hard drive is usually called Disk 0 and is divided into several sections. If 2 or more disks are connected, then its name may be Disc 1 or others.

    The number of partitions themselves may vary, and usually there are 3 of them: two system and one user.

  3. Right-click on the disk and select "Shrink Volume".

  4. In the window that opens, you will be asked to compress the volume to all available space, that is, create a partition with the number of gigabytes that is free. this moment. We strongly do not recommend doing this: in the future, for new Windows files there may simply not be enough space - for example, when updating the system, creating backup copies (restore points) or installing programs without the ability to change their location.

    Be sure to leave for C: additional free space, at least 10-15 GB. In field "Size" compressible space in megabytes, enter the number you need for the new volume, minus the space for C:.

  5. An unallocated area will appear, and the size of C: will be reduced by the amount that was allocated in favor of the new partition.

    By region "Not distributed" right click and select "Create Simple Volume".

  6. Will open "Simple Volume Creation Wizard", in which you will need to specify the size of the new volume. If from this space you want to create only one logical drive, then leave full size. You can also split the empty space into multiple volumes - in this case, specify right size volume you are creating. The rest of the area will again remain as "Not distributed", and you will need to do steps 5-8 again.
  7. You can then assign a letter to the drive.

  8. Next you will need to format the created partition with empty space, none of your files will be deleted.

  9. The formatting options should be as follows:
    • File system: NTFS;
    • Cluster size: Default;
    • Volume Label: Enter the name you want to give to the disk;
    • Quick formatting.

    After this, exit the Wizard by clicking "OK" > "Ready". The newly created volume will appear in the list of other volumes and in Explorer, in the section "This computer".


Method 3: Partitioning the disk when installing Windows

It is always possible to divide the HDD when installing the system. This can be done using the Windows installer itself.


Now you know how to partition a HDD in different situations. This is not very difficult, and will ultimately make working with files and documents more convenient. The fundamental difference between using the built-in utility "Disk Management" and there are no third-party programs, since both options achieve the same result. However, other programs may have additional functions, for example, transferring files, which may be useful for some users.

This article will talk about how to correctly partition a computer’s hard drive into partitions, as well as how to correct incorrect broken disk without loss of information. Splitting methods hard drive for Windows XP and Windows 7 are somewhat different due to the peculiarities of the operation of these operating systems, so I will talk about them separately.

At first glance, it may seem that partitioning is not a particularly important process and does not require much attention. But an incorrectly partitioned disk can cause a lot of inconvenience in the future.

Pros of partitioning hard drives

Why do you need division into sections? Firstly, this will allow a clear distinction between the system and the user’s files. That is, Windows will live, for example, on the C: drive, and documents, movies and music on D:. Thanks to this, it will be possible to back up the entire system partition, and in case of failure, simply restore it all. If the process Reserve copy will, along with the Windows operating system, also duplicate your files, which often include music and movies, occupying hundreds of gigabytes, then there will not be enough space. And so you will always have an image of the system partition at hand, ten to one and a half gigabytes in size. And your own documents can be copied to a spare drive at any time.

In addition, after a failure, checking a disk containing only the operating system will take much less time than checking all the files on the computer (sometimes the number of files reaches hundreds of thousands or even millions). For erased file recovery programs to work, you will also need a second partition to which the saved information will be copied.


This is what it looks like splitting hard disk into logical partitions

A fly in the ointment or without some drawbacks

The main disadvantage is that only the disk space of the current partition can be used, even if other partitions are completely free. That is, if the disk is divided into three partitions, and each of them has, say, 50 gigabytes free, then it will not be possible to write a file of 120 gigabytes in size, although the total free space will be 150 gigabytes. In this case, you will have to transfer files from partition to partition until enough space is freed up on one of them. Applied to this example, if there was only one partition on the disk, then a 120 gigabyte file could be written to it without any manipulation. Since disks usually do not become completely clogged, the more partitions there are, the greater the “wasted space” will be.

For small hard drives, this “lost space” as a percentage will be a decent amount. Therefore, the answer to the question of whether division into sections is necessary is not entirely unambiguous. But I can say quite clearly that to work in modern system Partitioning a disk with a capacity of less than 80-160 gigabytes, with rare exceptions, does not make any sense.

In what proportions to split? Windows XP vs Windows 7

If you still decided to partition the disk, then it is necessary to allocate Windows specific space in gigabytes, rather than dividing it proportionally “in half” or “one to two”. First you need to decide how much space the operating system requires.

Windows XP is enough for 30-40 gigabytes. This size is taken with a small margin when taking into account large quantity installed programs. Of course, you can put it on a 10 GB partition, but the space may run out at the most unexpected moment. All other data should be copied only to the second partition.

Windows 7 itself requires a lot more disk space. In addition, hidden in its depths is the “magic” winsxs folder, which is growing by leaps and bounds. In this regard, it is recommended to allocate at least 70-80, and preferably 100 gigabytes for the “Seven”. For the last reason, it is better not to use SSD drives that have a small capacity (less than 64 gigabytes). We leave the remaining space on the hard drive for the second partition.


Manager Windows drives. You have to work very carefully.

How to partition a disk

Dividing into sections is not difficult. To do this, you can use the “disk manager” built into Windows (Right-click on the “My Computer” shortcut and select Manage, then select Disk Management).

A list of disks installed on your computer will appear in the window that opens. Now you can create and delete partitions. Please note that you will not be allowed to work with the partition on which the system is installed. To do this you will have to use specialized software, which is discussed in the next chapter. Himself system partition marked at Windows installation.
In addition, perform all operations in the above-described disk manager with extreme caution, since any actions in it hard data disks are destroyed, and it will not be easy to restore them later.

How to fix incorrect hard drive partitioning

The most common situation is when too little space was allocated for the first (system) partition. As a result, we have a completely clogged system partition while the second one is empty. The simplest way is to reduce the second section, and due to the resulting empty space increasing the system partition. However, built-in Windows tools will not be allowed to do this.


Everything is very clear.

In such a situation it is better to use auxiliary tools. For example, Disk Director Suite from Acronis. This package will allow you to create boot disk, with which you can repartition the partitions of your hard drive at your discretion. All data on the hard drive will not go anywhere. However, it is recommended to save important data in a safe place before any manipulation. In addition, boot Acronis disk will help convert file system to a different format, delete and create partitions, check disks for errors and much more.

But it’s better to correctly plan the size and number of partitions right away than to spend a lot of time later correcting errors at the most inopportune moment.

conclusions

My opinion, based on many years of experience, is this. There is no need to partition the disk. If it is inconvenient to store files on one partition, then instead of partitioning it is better to buy a second hard drive. On the one hand, this will allow you to separate the system and personal files, and on the other hand it will divide the load between two devices. That is, system files will be opened from one hard drive, and user files from another, which will ultimately speed up the operation of the operating system and documents will open noticeably faster.

Partitioning will be required only when organizing a RAID array, when two or more hard drives a huge single space is created. It will still have to be broken.

If you are determined to partition your disks, use the above recommendations for choosing their volume. Incorrect partitioning can then backfire. And remember the main truth - perform any manipulations only if you have a backup copy important information. One wrong move and your entire life's work will be sent to electronic Valhalla.

UPD. With the advent of SSD, the issue of division resolved itself. The system is installed on solid state drive, and data that does not require high speeds, – on a traditional hard drive. In such a situation, as you understand, there is no need to divide the hard drive into partitions. At the same time, large volumes random access memory allow you to completely disable paging. Thus, the most optimal scheme is SSD + HDD, each of which has only one partition.

External

Technologies are developing rapidly. Just yesterday we used calculators, and today we cannot imagine life without our gadgets, computers and other hi-tech devices. In the process of all this rapid growth of technology, people are needed who will repair and maintain it. But still, seemingly simple things can be done by the user himself. After all, why pay extra money for something that you can do yourself without special skills and difficult efforts, without resorting to the help of specialists. They already have enough work. In this material, we will try to cover one very interesting technical topic and teach you some tricks. And we will talk about how to properly break your external hard disk independently, and without anyone's support.

How to break external HDD to logical partitions

As a rule, we have to store a lot of different information on our external hard drive. This is necessary so that all the data stored on it is structured and ordered. Usually new directories (folders) are created. But what if you need to globally intervene in the process of disk space sharing?!

Firstly, it is worth defining the concept itself, hard sections disk. Section - (English partition) - this is a part permanent memory any data storage device (SSD, hard drive, USB drive), which is logically allocated for ease of operation, and consisting of adjacent blocks. As you may have already guessed, there are many different ways to partition an external hard drive. It is in this material that we will touch on the three most common and widespread methods.

Method number 1 (the easiest). , by using specialized software

Let's look at this method using our example, using a utility from Acronis, which specializes in managing various hard drives, both external and internal. First, you need to download the utility from off. company website and install it on your computer. Then we perform the following chain of actions:
1.Open the utility on your PC;
2. In the main window of the utility you will see a list of currently available hard drives. We choose the one that interests us. Most often, the name is the name of the company that produced this medium(eg "Samsung");
3.In the left menu, click on “Change volume size”;
4.In the “Volume Size” field, you must enter the size of the future partition (usually from 100 GB, but not necessarily, the size should be determined based on future needs);
5.After all these actions, an unmarked area will appear in the main application window, which will be called “Unoccupied”. Select this area as in step 2, then in the operations panel select the “Create volume” item;
6.Then the volume creation wizard window will appear, where you need to leave all the parameters as they are (volume type – basic), and then click “next”;
7.Afterwards, you need to click “next” without changing any parameters;
8.In further settings, you should select the F.S. type (let's say NTFS) plus assign the letter of the new volume (let's say z), the rest of the settings can be left at default.

This is how you learned how to break portable hard disk into partitions using the Acronis application. Below we give an example of how you can perform a similar operation, but using standard features your OS.

Method number 2 (the most accessible). We break it down removable hard disk into partitions using Windows OS.

First of all, we need to go to the management section. You can do this as follows: click “start”, right-click on “computer”, select “manage” in the menu that opens. After opening the window called “Computer Management”, our next steps will be as follows:

1.On the left side, select “disk management”;
2.On the right you need to select the volume we need;
3.Click on the right mouse button, and in the additional menu select “shrink volume”;
4.Next, you need to change the size of the compressed space to the value that, after all operations, will be the size of the new partition, click the “compress” button;
5.At the end of the compression operation, a new partition will appear, it will be called “Unallocated”, press the right key and click “create simple volume”;
6.Afterwards, in two pop-up windows you need to select “next” 2 times;
7.In the penultimate window of the settings wizard you need to specify the letter of the future partition (let's say Z);
8. And finally, you need to select the F.S. type (let's say NTFS). Further. Ready.

The third method (for owners of computers running MAC-OS).

Special difficulties this method doesn't call. And the only difference from the first two is that to implement it we need a PC with an operating system MAC-Os system. Typically this operating system is installed on computers of the American brand. Apple. As before, we should perform a number of certain operations, namely:
1.We use Disk utility utility, or as it is otherwise called disk utility;
2. Go to the “programs” item;
3.hereinafter referred to as “utility programs”;
4.Next, select our disk utility;
5.Under volumes, you must click the “+” button;
6.Indicate the size of the future volume;
7.Specify the format of the section itself (magazine Mac os extendet);
8. Don’t forget to give a name to our future section;
9.Click the “apply” button.

After completing these steps, the system will ask you to confirm the creation, we successfully confirm the operation, and go to the explorer to ensure its successful completion.

Let's sum it up

It is worth noting that the process of creating new partitions is not such a complicated procedure. We looked at the three most common methods, namely:
1.Using third party applications(such as Acronis or others);
2.Using basic Windows functions;
3.Using the basic functions of Mac-Os.

In addition to these three solutions described above, there are others, but they are not particularly different from each other. The main goal is to grasp the meaning of the operations being performed. So to speak, learn and understand the basic concepts. In the future, these procedures will not cause you difficulties, and trips to various service centers on such little things will be reduced, which will save you a lot of time and money.

If, unfortunately, none of these techniques worked for you, you can try using these programs:

1.PartitionGuru – free application, also allows you to archive and restore data from your media;
2. CheckDrive – the same free utility, in which you can work with your removable storage media; Download CheckDrive for Windows from cloud.mail.ru
3.SSD Life Free – this program is for those users who have a solid-state drive in their arsenal; download from the website
4. Macrorit Disk Partition Expert; download from the website
5.Wondershare Disk Manager Free- another one free program, which opens up opportunities for editing your HDD; Download Wondershare Disk Manager Free for Windows from cloud.mail.ru
6. ENWOTEX HDD MASTER – a free console application for working with your disks. Download ENWOTEX HDD MASTER from cloud.mail.ru

As you can see, the list is quite large, and it can actually be continued if necessary, but the process of creating new sections is almost identical to what was described earlier. Main difference consists only in the convenience of the most user interface, or preferences for one program or another, that’s basically all.

So we learned about how you can, how to split a removable hard drive into partitions using the tools and functions of the operating system Windows systems, as well as using operating systems such as Mac-OS and additional utilities from Acronis. I hope that this material was useful to most readers. The main purpose of this material is to tell you how easily and at home you can easily break your external media into sections. This is needed for all sorts of different purposes. Let's say we can distinguish Various types files and isolate them from each other. Additionally, you can install an operating system on an empty partition of external media and run it on your home computer or laptop. In general, the scope of this method is very wide.

Today we will talk about how to partition a hard drive in Windows 10: why it is needed, as well as several ways to do it. Increasingly advanced computer user When installing the operating system, Windows decides to split the system or hard drive into several partitions. What is it for? The main goal is ease of use, and most importantly, the separation of working operating system files and personal data, which we in no case want to lose. And this can happen if the system suddenly crashes. Besides, separation of hard partitioning will help your Windows 10, it will be a tool that will help it work faster.

So, here are some ways to partition your hard drive in Windows 10:

  1. Using standard operating system tools
  2. When you install Windows 10
  3. Using special programs

Now let's look at each of the methods in more detail.

How to create partitions on your hard drive using Windows 10

The main condition in this method of dividing a hard drive into partitions in Windows 10 is that there is enough free space (so that it is no less than what you decide to define for a new one).

  • Press the Win+R keys and in the “Run” window enter diskmgmt.msc
  • Downloading has started special utility management
  • After loading it, right-click on the partition that corresponds to the disk we are working with
  • Next, select “shrink volume”
  • In the window that opens, in the “Partition of compressible space” column, indicate the size that we are going to allocate for new disk or logical partition
  • Select “compress”
  • Unallocated space should appear on the right, right-click on it
  • You need to select “create simple volume”
  • The resulting volume will have a default size that is equal to the entire free space. We can specify a lower value if, for example, we want to create several logical drives
  • Specify the letter of our new drive
  • Define the file system (set a new one or leave it as is) and click “next”
  • That's it, if the steps were followed correctly, our disk is divided into two

Splitting on the command line

You can also change the disk size in Windows 10 using the command line. This method also applies to the tools of your operating system. Please note that this method will only work when you divide the only system partition into two - for system data and your personal ones. And here's how to create new volume on the Windows 10 hard drive in this way:

  • Open command prompt as administrator
  • We begin to enter commands in this order: first diskpart
  • Then list volume. When this command is executed, pay attention to the volume number that corresponds to drive C
  • Enter select volume N. N is the volume number from the previous paragraph
  • Next is the command shrink desired=size. Instead of the word “Size”, enter the number in megabytes by which we will reduce drive C in order to divide it into two
  • Then list disk. When executing this command, remember the number of that HDD or SSD with partition C
  • Next select command disk M. M – the number that we remembered in the previous paragraph
  • Next, enter these commands in order: create partition primary
  • Format fs=ntfs quick
  • Assign letter=desired_drive_letter
  • The process is complete. You can look in Explorer at the disk partition we created

Acronic Disk Director

This program will also help us expand or reduce the size of the railway. How to use it:

  • When you first start the program, select the “manual” operating mode
  • A window will open in which we select the section that we will split
  • Right-click on it and select “split volume”
  • Set the size, then click “OK”
  • Click “apply pending operations”
  • Restart the computer and click “Ok” again

Convenient distribution of disk space on a computer is one of the fundamental actions for comfortable work and operating system performance. After purchasing a new PC or reinstalling the operating system, the question arises - how to properly partition a hard drive? Standard separation for two volumes C and D will not be enough for large size Winchester. 100-150 GB are usually allocated for system files; the rest of the disk space will be correctly divided into several parts. This simple action will guarantee the performance of the OS by reducing the fragmentation rate system volume. There are three simple ways division into parts in the Windows operating system:

  1. Installation of a separate software.
  2. Using internal Windows services.
  3. Separation when installing/reinstalling the operating system.

Using separate program To partition the disk you need to prepare, namely:

  • do backup copy important personal files;
  • free up additional space on your hard drive;
  • check the hard drive for possible errors.

Protecting your personal files from loss during further work is the user’s primary task. Photos, contacts and other files should be copied to an external storage device (hard drive, flash drive) or use a file storage cloud on the Internet. After backing up your data, you should make sure you have free space to create a new partition. To do this, just go to “Control Panel” - “Add or Remove Programs”. View the list and remove unnecessary software, which will provide additional disk space.

Once you have enough space for the new partition, you need to check the hard drive for errors. Go to “My Computer” and select required disk and go to “Properties”. Then select the “Service” tab and click “Run check”, check both boxes and wait for completion. At the end of the check, the OS will ask you to restart the PC - confirm. The disk properties interface in Windows 7 and XP is identical, so there will be no difficulties.

Working with partitioning programs

The program interface is configured mainly to solve one problem - how to divide the hard drive into convenient parts. Most software works with different versions Windows 7 and XP, there is both paid services, and for free use. It would be more correct to use programs for free use with a Russian interface.

The following are very popular: “Partition Magic”, “Acronis Disk Director”, “ Aomei Partition Assistant". Each uses standard menu for working with the disk. All that remains is to select the disk that needs to be divided into parts. Then set the volume for the new partition, its name and file system. Any of the programs will offer two file options FAT systems 32 and NTFS. The first is installed when working with Windows 95/98 or Millinium Edition. Starting from XP, NTFS should be selected. For stable operation OS mandatory conditions– all hard drive partitions must be formatted to the same file system.

How to partition a hard drive without installing software

The ability to divide the hard drive into partitions using system services, provided in Windows versions 7 and above. To do this, find the “Management” item, located in the “My Computer” folder. In the “Computer Management” menu that opens, open the “Disk Management” tab. A list of disks that are on the PC will appear, as well as a hidden “System Reserved” section - a recovery system disk. We select drive C or the one that we will divide into two or three parts - additional containers. Open the list of disk functions: right button- “Volume compression.” In the window that appears, select the location where you want to compress the disk. Provided that the hard drive was not previously divided into separate parts, the system will offer to divide it into parts approximately equal in volume. Can be installed desired value. If a miscalculation is made, you can return the partition to its previous sizes by selecting “Uncompress volume” in the disk functions. System disk compressed and a new section called “Unallocated” will be displayed. Open the list of functions and click “Create a simple volume...”. The “Creation Wizard” window will appear on the screen. simple volume” and will ask you to designate the new section with a letter and give it a name. This is followed by the process of formatting into a file system. Having decided on the option, click “Continue”, and in a few minutes the work on creating a new section will be completed.

Partitioning the hard drive when installing or reinstalling the operating system

Partitions should be created at the moment when the OS installation reaches the point of selecting the partition in which it should be installed. Further actions:

  1. Create a partition for the OS, let it be drive C, and enter its size. If the hard drive initially has 1 TB of memory, you can allocate 100-120 GB for the operating system - that’s enough.
  2. Next, the computer will ask you to allocate some more space for backup files, you don’t need to skimp, but click the “Agree” button.
  3. Create a second section: look for the line “ Free place on disk”, click “Create”. Next we set the size for it. We call it drive “D” and the button “Apply”. So, there are already two sections.
  4. To create the third partition, proceed in the same way as described above: “Free disk space” - “Create”. We indicate the entire size remaining from the original one.
  5. Click on the “C” drive, which is allocated for the OS and click “Next”. The installation of your Windows 7/8 continues.

Conclusion

As you can see, there is nothing complicated about dividing a hard drive into several departments. With this simple process Even a novice user can handle it. The main thing is to carry out everything clearly according to the written points, and you will succeed. If done correctly, you will have several disks, each of which can store specific folders, files, etc. This will solve the problem constant search necessary information on the computer.

The second important advantage of partitioning the hard drive is that when reinstalling the OS, for some reason, all information during the formatting process can be destroyed. And if the computer has the OS on one disk, and all the files on others, the process of destroying the contents will affect only one partition of the hard drive. And the speed of the system itself will be faster, the computer will not freeze, thanks to less “cluttered” departments. Ideal option: two to four sections, depending on the size of your hard drive.


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