What program to split the disk. How to partition a hard drive. Working ways! How to partition a hard drive without using third-party programs

How to split a hard drive into two partitions without data loss, provided that there is one partition converted to the main volume with the letter (C :), the operating system is installed on it and nothing should happen to it, how do you like the task?

• Note: If you have a new operating system installed, you can divide the hard disk into partitions using the operating system itself, without resorting to third-party programs, the article is here - if something doesn’t work, use the universal and free program in Russian.
• If you're on Windows 7 read here. If you have a new laptop, then you need this article.

Such tasks are very easy to solve with special disk management programs, for example: Acronis Disk Director, Paragon, I have to work with all of them. The fact is that when working with such programs, it is easy to damage the hard disk partition table, then the computer will not be able to determine among the new volumes created by you, finding the main partition with the operating system, what then? That's right, you just won't be able to boot into Windows. Acronis, besides working from a boot disk, sometimes confuses partition letters.

• Therefore, before working with Acronis Disk Director, you need to insure yourself as much as possible and create a backup of all partitions on your hard drive. Each user should be able to create a backup of the operating system and, if necessary, deploy it back.

These detailed articles will help you master the indispensable means of restoring the operating system. These tools will restore your Windows under any circumstances.

I do not want to intimidate you in any way, but I simply warn you to be very careful when working with programs for working with hard disk partitions. I remember in the old days, when everything was just beginning, I always had several floppy disks in my pocket with the Partition Magic program in the bourgeois language, yes, floppy disks, it worked from them, you insert it into a floppy and you always don’t know how it will end, but I’ll say To be honest, I've only let it down a few times. And then I met Acronis and since then I have not parted, although now I carry a large suitcase with me and there are always several boot disks with this program. Well, it's time to get down to business, otherwise you will run away from the site and do not partition your hard drive.

How to split a hard drive into two partitions

As I said, we have a Windows XP operating system, but everything that will be said below can also be applied to Windows 7. The operating system has one system partition-disk (C :) with a volume of 111.8 GB, and we will divide into two sections, as a result we will have another disk (D:), don't worry, nothing will happen to your files on the disk (C:). Here it is our disk (C:), one-alone.

Launching our program

In the main window of the program, our hard disk is visible as one disk partition (C), with a capacity of 111.8 GB. We go with you to Actions and Tools, and then Resize Volume

change the size of the 111.8 GB volume, for example, to 55.8 GB, so we will have a logical volume (D)

We have unallocated space and we will convert it later to a logical volume (D)

Apply pending operations

Friends, now you can create the second partition you need, right in the operating system, go to Computer-> Management-> Disk Management, right-click on the unallocated space and select Create Partition from the menu. Or you can use our program again.

We run our program again, select the unallocated space with the mouse and click Create Volume

Select the type of volume to create Basic

Specify unallocated space

Very often, stores selling computers and laptops, due to their laziness or some unforeseen circumstances, sell computer equipment with an unpartitioned hard drive, which can later lead to very unpleasant situations, such as complete or partial loss of important data.

Most often this happens (data loss) due to inattention, when, when reinstalling the operating system, they forget to save something, and they “bang” (format) the entire hard disk, later remembering that important documents remained on the desktop or in some folder and photos.

To avoid this, it is much more expedient to store everything important on the local disk "D", so that in case of an unexpected system failure, you can be calm and know that everything important is on another disk. So, if you bought a computer or laptop and found that you have only one "C" drive, do not despair, today we will fix this misunderstanding, and without the help of third-party programs, we will do everything with standard Windows 7 tools. By the way, in other versions of Windows, tools similar.

Only 14 small steps, or if you want action and you have not one local C drive, but two or more, again, if you wish, but it's better not to get carried away :). For example, I will divide the already existing disk "D", but you do this operation with the disk "C".

Step #1. Click the "Start" button and select "Control Panel"

Step #2. In the "Control Panel" window that opens, find and click on the "Administrative Tools" link

Step #3. Find and select "Computer Management"

Step #4. In the window that opens, click "Disk Management"

Step #5. Here you need to do three simple steps, 1 - left-click on the disk you want to divide, 2 - right-click on the disk area as in the figure below, 3 - select "Compress volume ..."

Step #6. Wait for the system to poll the disk to determine the available space for compression

Step #7. At this stage, you need to specify what size the new disk will be, by default the system shows the maximum possible size. So specify your value or leave it as it is and click "Compress"

Step #8. We "pinched off" a little space from the "C" drive and now we see a new, not yet allocated partition

Step #9. Right-click on it and select "Create a simple volume..."

Step #10. In this and the next window, click the "Next" button.

Step #11. Select a letter for the new drive and again "Next"

Step #12. We write a name for the new disk, by default it is "New Volume", check if the checkbox is checked for "Quick Format" and click "Next"

Step #13. We complete the creation of a new disk by clicking "Finish"

Step #14. Finally, we check whether everything turned out well, a new disk with the status "Healthy" should appear in the open window

As you can see, everything is very simple and now you have an additional partition on your computer where you can store your data and not worry that they will be lost. Although in fairness I note that for the complete safety of files, duplicate them on removable media, since it is not uncommon for not only the "C" drive to fail, but also the entire hard drive. Thank you for your attention, good luck to everyone.

Why is it necessary to partition a hard drive in Windows? First of all, for the security of your personal data. When a hard disk has only one partition, then all the files that are on this disk: programs, documents, photos, files of the Windows OS itself - are stored in one place.

Now imagine that the system crashes. All your personal files (photos, documents) will most likely be lost. It is much more correct when system files and user files are stored separately from each other.

Physically, they will still remain on the same hard drive, but will be on different partitions. There may be several sections. One, as a rule, is assigned to the operating system and programs (system partition), the other (or others) - to the user's files.

One of the easiest and most affordable ways is to partition your hard drive when installing Windows. How to do this, we have analyzed in great detail and using a specific example in. What to do if the system is already installed and there are user files in it, how to partition the disk in such cases?

How to partition a disk with an installed Windows system without losing data

Today we will analyze how to divide a hard drive into two or more partitions with an already installed OS. It doesn't matter what edition of Windows you are using. This method will be relevant for any version, be it Windows 7 or Windows 10. In addition, if you already have two partitions, but you want to create a third one, both methods described below will also work.

In fact, our task is to “pinch off” from a large partition (and in our case this is the only partition - the system drive C) some part, say 200 GB, and make a separate partition out of it.

This can be done in several ways, including using the Windows operating system itself, which has a special Disk Management tool (Disk Management). This method requires a minimum of effort and in most cases solves the problem without third-party software. Let's start with him.

Before proceeding with the partition of a hard drive with Windows installed, you need to take some precautions. If there are important files in the system, copy them to external media (flash drive, external hard drive) in advance.

How to divide a hard drive into two or more partitions? Method 1 - Windows system tools

Let's use the Disk Management tool. In Windows 10, just right-click on the icon My computer, select item Control - Disk Management.

In other versions of Windows, this tool can be found using a regular search or using a hotkey combination Win+R, and enter the diskmgmt.msc command.

Before us is the Disk Management window, which displays the user's disk, which in this case has a size of 465.76 GB (Disk 0). Almost all HDD space is allocated to one partition - Disk C. There is also a partition (500 MB), which is reserved by the operating system at the stage of its installation.

In our case, 465 GB (the entire hard drive) for one system disk is not an affordable luxury, so we will “pinch off” the maximum possible (as the system allows) number of GB from it and make a new partition out of this free space.

As a rule, about 100-150 GB are allocated for the system disk. It all depends on the specific user. 100 GB is enough if Windows and the most necessary software are installed on the system disk. If, in addition to the system and software, it is planned to install modern games, then the size of 100 GB will not be enough.

Before performing any operation with a specific hard disk partition, do not forget to select it. It is enough to click on it with the left mouse button and the section will be selected. Only then proceed to the operation.

Let's move on to practice. Select the partition from which you want to "pin off" the space. On the selected section, right-click and select the command Shrink Volume.

All sizes are in megabytes, be careful. In a specific example, the maximum amount of MB that the system "allows" to compress is 237.656 MB (232.09 GB). This means that after compression, we will get Disk C with a size of 232 GB and Disk D - 238782 MB (233 GB). Not the best option. If it does not suit you, and you need to “pinch off” more than the system offers, then you will have to use third-party software, but more on that later.

When all calculations are completed, and the sizes of future sections are set, click OK(or click Enter). We have a new unrecognized partition (200 GB). Do not rush to exit Disk Management. The procedure for dividing the disk into two partitions has not yet ended. Select a new partition (200 GB), and right-click, select the item Create a simple volume.

run Create Simple Volume Wizard. In principle, everything is simple, just follow the instructions of the master himself. Check out the screenshots. You are required to give the future partition a letter (in my case it is D) and the file system - NFTS.

Let's see what happened. We have one hard drive and divided it into two partitions: the system Disk C (265 GB) and the New Volume D (200 GB) for storing personal data. By the way, the new volume is now displayed in Windows Explorer as well.

Now you know how to partition a hard drive into two or more partitions using Windows. If this method suits you, and it coped with your task, then you can stop there. However, if you are looking for a better option, and, for example, you need to “pinch off” a larger size than the system itself offers, we use third-party software. True, first we need to return the original state of the hard drive.

Let's delete the created partition and return it to the system disk. We allocate New volume and right click the item Delete volume.

Read the warning and click OK. We get 200 GB, which are not distributed.

We carefully check all the numbers and click Further.

We have returned to the original state, when the system has one hard drive and it is almost completely reserved for one partition (system).

How to divide a hard drive into two or more partitions? Method 2 - Partition Master Free

It's time to switch to third-party software. Here the choice is great. There are paid and free options. I recommend staying at . Why? Time-tested, intuitive interface, free. Unlike the Disk Management tool that Windows offers, Partition Master allows you to shrink a disk partition for as long as it is physically possible.

The official website of the program is www.partition-tool.com. Go to the site, and select the section Products - Partition Master Free - in the top menu - Download.

Since the program is free, it will prompt you to install additional unwanted programs during its installation. Many free products work great and do their job perfectly, but since they are free, developers try to somehow make money on them. Be careful and uncheck the checkboxes with the offer of promotional products in time.

1. We start the installation of the downloaded program. Choose a language English and press OK.

2. In the next window, we agree that we will use this software only for our family, check the box and click OK.

3. In the next window (at our discretion), we leave only one checkmark - Create a desktop icon(create an icon on the desktop) and click NEXT.

Installing Partition Master Free in screenshots. Click

5. In the next window, enter your Name and Email. You can enter fictitious data.

6. After installation, click Finish.

The program should start. The interface is completely in English, but it is quite simple and with the help of this instruction it will not be difficult to partition a disk in Partition Master Free.

The main window of the program displays Disk C, which you want to split. Its main information is also presented here: file system (NFTS), size - actual (465.27 GB) and used (17.10 GB). Pay attention to the graphic disk scale, which is located at the bottom of the window. You can work and execute commands using both options. With a graphical scale to make it a little easier and clearer.

Select the section (left click) that you want to split (from which you want to pinch off a place), and in the drop-down list of commands, select the item (Resize).

In the window that appears, grab and move the special slider. It is responsible for the size of the future partition being set. We indicate how many GB we need to pinch off. In this case, 322.242 MB (or 314.69 GB) is selected for the new partition.

Pay attention to the bottom of the window. While moving the slider, you see in real time how your C Drive will change after compression, and how much will be allocated for the new partition.

I set the size of the new partition to 314 GB, and the size of Drive C will become 150 GB. After that we press OK.

An unrecognized partition appeared (314 GB). Now we need to make a partition out of this unrecognized space.

We click on it with the mouse and select the command (Create section) in the drop-down menu.

In a new window, I am prompted to enter a partition label, give it a name (Partition Label). Let's say I call it Multimedia. Next, you need to specify the partition letter (Drive Letter). Don't forget the item Optimizefor SSD, but only if you have an SSD drive. If you are using a regular hard drive, then this item is not checked. File system (File Systems) - NFTS. click OK.

Let's see what happened. System Drive C under which we took about 150 GB and a partition for storing files (Multimedia). This is not the final result yet, but rather a sketch. For the program to perform all operations, you need to click on the button apply in the top menu.

A pop-up window will appear containing information about the operations that will now be performed. Click YES and the program will start executing them. The computer will restart and start in download mode. Wait for the end of the operation.

After the end of the process, a window will appear with information that the two operations were successfully completed. If you open the explorer, you can see the created new section.

Now system files and user files will be stored separately. The assigned task has been completed. As you can see, both methods described are working and allow you to partition the disk without losing data. Which one to choose - everyone decides for himself. I hope this article was useful and helped you finally understand this issue.

If you are building a computer and looking for the best prices for components, then the number one option is computeruniverse.com.(article ). Time-tested German store. Coupon for 5% euro discount — FWXENXI. Happy assembly!

With a 99% probability, a very sad picture will appear in the existing computer: the new disk will contain only one partition. Perhaps for people using Linux as their operating system, this is not so important, but when using Windows 7, it is more convenient to store your files on several partitions. Moreover, in case of reinstalling or restoring the system, it is easier to save your data if there is a separate partition available - in this situation, you will appreciate your former foresight.

The required minimum in terms of the number of partitions, dictated by more than one year of using the Windows 7 operating system, is two. The first section should be allocated exclusively for the operating system and work programs (including games), while the second section should be used to store documents, movies, music and other things. You must decide on your own the number of partitions that you will be comfortable working with later, therefore, given that disk partitioning usually does not change for years, approach this issue with all responsibility.

To partition a hard drive into several separate partitions, hardened “computers” are used to using third-party software like the well-known Partition Magic or Acronis Disk Director, but in Windows 7 there is no need for this - programs for performing these manipulations are included in the operating system itself. For this reason, you do not have to look for and install any third-party software. The only thing you have to take care of is giving your account system administrator rights, since ordinary users do not have the necessary rights to change the parameters that are so important to the system.

So, let's start the task of dividing the hard drive into several partitions, for which you should go to the Control Panel by clicking the "Start" button and selecting the appropriate item in the system menu. Next, follow the following path: "System and Security" -> "Administration" -> submenu "Create and format hard disk partitions".

The "Disk Management" tab will allow you to familiarize yourself with the existing partitions. When buying a computer with the Windows 7 operating system, in addition to the main partition (drive C:) on the hard drive, there may be a hidden partition that serves to restore the OS in case of loss of its performance. It is up to you to decide whether to leave this partition or delete it, but in the latter case, you can free up an additional few gigabytes (the size of this partition can vary greatly) and lose the ability to quickly restore the system.

To partition a disk, right-click on the symbolic image of the partition designated as (С:) and select the "Compress volume ..." item in the context menu. Wait a little while the system performs the necessary preparatory steps, after which in the window that appears you will be asked to select the size of the space allocated for the new partition (in general, the translation of some terms, as well as their original name in Russian versions of Windows 7, is not always logical, so this value is indicated in the “Size of the compressible space” item, and the size of the C: drive after the manipulations are indicated in the “Total size after compression” item). If you make a mistake or decide to resize the partition, you can perform the reverse of compression - expanding the volume.

After making sure that the specified data is correct, you can click the "Compress" button and after a while you will receive a new section, which will be marked as "Unallocated". To fully use the newly created partition in the system, you need to format it, for which right-click on the partition and select "Create a simple volume ...". After clicking the "Next" button twice, the New Simple Volume Wizard will prompt you to determine the drive letter for the new partition. You can choose any that you like, but only from those not previously occupied by the system. Confirm your choice and in the next window you will be asked to specify the file system type. In the "Format this volume as follows:" item, specify the NTFS file system, then, if using a new disk, click the "Next" button, otherwise, you must, among other things, check the box next to the "Quick Format" item and only then click "Next ".

In the next window, make sure that all options have been set correctly and click the "Finish" button. If you specified the quick format option in the previous step, the whole process will be completed in a matter of seconds, otherwise you will have to wait about an hour (the time depends on the amount of disk space given to the new partition).

After all the manipulations performed, you will receive a hard drive with two partitions. More sections can be obtained by performing the same steps as many times as necessary.

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

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

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

What is it for?

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

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

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

Launching the Disk Partitioning Utility

Working with partitions begins with the launch of the Disk Management program, which has hardly changed since its introduction into the Windows 7 operating system. The tool is launched in several ways.

Control Panel

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

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

3. We call the applet "Administration".

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

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

6. Click on the "Disk Management" item.

command interpreter

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

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

2. Enter the command "diskmgmt.msc".

3. Run it using the "Enter" key.

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

How to use the built-in disk manager

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Partitioning a volume during the installation phase of Windows 10

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

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

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

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

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