Quite often, users have questions about how to divide a disk into several parts, if, for example, when buying a computer, the hard drive has only one system partition. What is it for and what means can be used to carry out such operations, read on. Let's try to consider several basic situations that every user of Windows-systems may face. We will dwell separately on data safety issues when creating additional virtual partitions.
Why do I need to partition the disk?
Let's start with why all these actions are needed. An example is the simplest situation. Suppose a user has only one system partition, and for some reason he needs to reinstall the operating system. But you need to save the important information present on the disk. Where to copy it? On a flash drive? Let's say. And if the total file size is about a hundred gigabytes? Where to find such a carrier? Even if there is one, the copying process will take a lot of time.
So isn’t it easier to copy data to a virtual partition, which is only called virtual, but actually represents the reserved space on the hard drive? This is where you will need to split the disk. In Windows systems, this can be done in several ways, not only at the stage of installing the operating system, but also in an already installed operating system (native tools originally appeared in Windows only in the seventh version and are included in the standard set in all later versions).
General concept of disk partitioning
Let us leave for now the consideration of how to divide the disk into parts, and dwell on the basic principle that is used in performing such operations. Many users completely misunderstand the process of separation. Among the ignorant, there is an opinion that this is akin to how a whole piece is cut from a round cake. This is an absolute fallacy.
Users completely forget that the files on the hard drive are not stored in one place, but scattered throughout the space. Thus, the allocation of space for a new section is made, so to speak, by selective “nibbling” of free sectors with their subsequent merging into one file structure, but not whole (like a piece of cake), but just scattered across the hard drive. And what everyone sees in the usual “Explorer” is fundamentally different from what it really is.
Basic options
These were all lyrical digressions. Now the practice begins. To begin, let's see how to split the disk in terms of the actions that can be taken in each case. The following are most commonly used in practice:
- Partitioning during the installation of Windows
- partitioning the disk in the installed system with data saving by a standard tool;
- Using DISKPART command line tools
- use of third-party software.
Creating a partition at the installation stage
First, a few words about how to split the disk in the 10th version of Windows when installing it. The tenth modification is taken solely as an example, since in all versions of the OS (even in the outdated XP modification) these processes look almost the same.
How to split a disk in this example? At one of the installation stages, the installer will prompt the user to select the partition into which the system is supposed to be installed.
If this is a solid unallocated space, first use the button to create a partition with the subsequent indication of the required size. This procedure is performed as many times as necessary to create partitions (but usually no more than four). Each section created below must be formatted. It is better to use NTFS (for partitions with volumes up to 2 TB) as a file system, rather than FAT32, since the latter cannot work with files larger than 4 GB. After creating, formatting partitions and installing the system, all of them will be available in the "Explorer". But, as it is already clear, due to the fact that all partitions created are subject to formatting (otherwise they simply will not be recognized by the system), there can be no question of saving the information originally present on the hard disk.
Disabling protection in a running system
In order to carry out the actions described below, in some cases it may be necessary to disable the system protection (this will lead to the removal of all restore control points).
To do this, call the properties of the computer, use the hyperlink on the left to go to the appropriate section and, after clicking the protection settings button, disable it. This will be followed by a warning in which you need to click the "Yes" button.
How to split a disk into 2 parts with Windows tools?
Starting with the seventh modification, Windows systems have finally acquired their own tools for partitioning a disk into logical partitions (previously this could only be done using third-party utilities). The main tool is the disk management section, which can be accessed through administration or accessed directly through the Start menu by entering the diskmgmt.msc command.
You can split a disk without data loss as follows. First, through the PCM menu on the marked section, you need to select its compression (for convenience, we assume that it is only one so far).
After that, you should pay attention to the size of the compressible space. Usually, the system sets the size on its own, and will not give it a “pinch”. Now the system partition and unrecognized space appeared in the system.
Through RMB, the point of creating a simple volume is selected on it, and then you need to follow the instructions of the special “Wizard”. In most cases, automatically set parameters can be left unchanged, with the exception of those moments when the size of a new partition is set manually if there are several of them to be created. The same applies to the assignment of the desired letter (be careful not to use letters that correspond to optical drives or removable USB-drives, as they may stop working).
Command line usage
Now let's see how to split the disk using command line tools. To do this, use the universal tool DISKPART, which works only from the command console and is not called in any other way. Looking ahead, it can be noted that it is used not only to partition the main disk into partitions, but also to create bootable media (flash drives) when there are no third-party programs at hand.
The splitting process is quite simple. The user does not particularly need to delve into each command. It is enough to follow the sequences given above.
Here you need to pay attention only to the correct choice of disk, the indicated size and the file system that will be used for the new partition when formatting it.
How to split a disk into 2 parts using third-party programs?
In principle, many users do not like the standard tools built into Windows systems, no matter how corny it may look, just because a lot of additional actions have to be performed. Is it a case of third-party programs specially created for working with disks? As one of the simplest utilities, you can recommend the program AOMEI Partition Assistant.
How to split a disk into logical partitions with its help? Easy peasy! Two solutions can be used. In the first case, resizing the disk is applied and then creating a new partition, which is very similar to the actions used in Windows.
In the second option, you can do much easier by immediately selecting the drive sharing option through the RMB menu. But in both cases, a window appears in which, to simplify setting the size, there is a special slider. All other actions, such as selecting a section letter, are standard.
Note: after performing these steps, the partition itself will be performed in PreOS mode upon subsequent reboot before the operating system starts. Depending on the total volume of the partition being partitioned, a lot of time may be needed.
Brief summary
Here is a brief summary of everything related to partitioning a disk into logical partitions. It goes without saying that many beg the question about which tools to give preference to. The easiest is to use third-party programs. But on the other hand, the application of actions with the command line excludes the possible appearance of various kinds of errors and failures, from which third-party applications are absolutely not safe.