Normally, only one operating system is installed on PCs, namely Windows, which remains so for the life of the computer.
But if we want to test the old Microsoft operating systems in a real environment without resorting to virtual machines or we want to get closer to the Linux world, the first step is to create a partition on the PC hard disk, that is "reserve" a part of the space for the new system.
Alternatively we can create various partitions on the disk to separate the data and programs, so that we can format the system without losing the data.
In this guide we will show you the best programs to create a disk partition, so that you can use a single disk as if we had two or three, simply dividing them into many sections that can be used for new operating systems to try.
For this guide we will show you only the programs offered for free, so you can act without any licensing problems or without having to spend money on such an advanced functionality.
The guide is suitable for both mechanical hard disk partitioning and SSDs, which behave the same way when it comes to file systems and partitions.
READ ALSO: Best programs to format disks and manage hard disk partitions
1) What is partitioning for?
As mentioned in the introduction, we can partition our disk for various purposes, many of which are also useful in everyday scenarios.
- Many systems engineers believe that the operating system should be installed on a partition separate from the one where the programs and personal files are located, so as to protect the computer from damage.
Practically, having two or more separate partitions, if the system partition should break or be damaged, you can still use the other one for emergency and for file recovery.
- If we want to try other operating systems, it is necessary to reserve a part of the disk space for the new system, which will be placed on startup together with the main system
- If we want to create a copy or a system image, a good place to keep it is a separate partition on the disk (waiting to be moved to an external disk, much more secure); in this regard, we need to create an image of the operating system, you can refer to the guide to system backup and recovery programs .
READ ALSO: What does it mean to partition disks and how to create, extend, join partitions
2) Partition with Windows
If we don't have special needs, we can also use the partitioning program included in Windows, called Disk Management .
We can find it by right clicking on the Start button at the bottom left and clicking on the item of the same name; alternatively we can search for the program in the Windows 10 search bar or by looking for the name Disk Management in the Start menu.
Once this program is opened, we right click on the partition assigned as (C :) and select the item Reduce volume, indicating when we want to "remove" space from the main system.
This will create an empty, unallocated space inside the disk: to exploit it, just click on it with the right mouse button and choose New simple volume .
This system is effective for installing other Windows operating systems or for creating a partition in which to save personal data or system backups, but it is not applicable for those who want to try Linux or want more control over the partitioning system.
That's why we still recommend using one of the free programs in the next chapter.
READ ALSO: Create a partition (volume) on Windows by dividing a hard disk into several parts
3) The best free programs to create disk partitions
So, to create a partition in a simple way you have to use specific programs and, on this occasion, we report two, free.
One of them is considered the best program for creating partitions, even if it is not the most famous.
Easus Partition Master
One of the best (if not the best) program to create a partition or volume on a hard disk or SSD is Easus Partition Master.
This program makes simplicity of use its strong point: we can create any type of partition (even for Linux), hide the partitions that we do not want to be visible in the system (excellent for backups) and operate in an advanced way on the partitions with operations such as cloning or moving one or more partitions together.
Paragon Partition Manager Free
An excellent program for creating partitions is Paragon Partition Manager Free, available for free download for personal use.
Paragon is a software for the complete management of the hard disk, multifunction.
With it you can create disk images or partition images to keep for recovery of computer data and you can create new partitions on your computer.
There is also a rescue tool for creating bootable USB sticks for emergency use.
The backups can be scheduled, at regular intervals, also in a cumulative way, that is, without saving the entire disk every day but only the files changed since the previous saving.
You can also mount previously created images so that you can explore them as if it were any other folder or disk on your computer and manually add additional files to it.
As mentioned, in addition to backup and imaging operations, Backup & Recovery can also perform a series of operations for managing partitions.
In this way you can easily create new partitions (in FAT32, NTFS, EXT2 / 3/4, Linux Swap format), hide the partitions and check the integrity of the filesystem with more effective tools than the scandisk.
MiniTool Partition Wizard
MiniTool Partition Wizard (free for personal use) is a partition manager designed for any version of Windows, so we can also use it on Windows 7 and Windows 8.
With Partition Wizard users are able to perform complex operations such as:
- resizing of existing partitions also by enlarging them;
- copying entire partitions;
- create, format and delete new partitions;
- convert its format (Fat32 or NTFS);
- Explore the partitions;
- hide them from exploring resources;
- modify the letter with which it is indicated and named;
- set the primary or active partition (the one where the operating system is located).
Among the functions there are also those to create recovery disk images and to copy entire hard disks from one partition to another.
AOMEI PArtition Manager
AOMEI PArtition Manager is a simple, reliable and essential program for creating disk partitions in complete safety, preserving data integrity.
With it you can resize partitions, merge, copy and split partitions.
The simple and Windows-style interface will help any user to better manage all types of disks and partitions that we intend to use.
4) Conclusions
In general, creating partitions for the programs mentioned above is a very simple operation.
In case you have installed Windows, for example, before putting programs, you can use Paragon or Partition Wizard to create a new partition to be used to insert documents, personal files, programs and so on.
If one day Windows requires a reinstallation, it will be enough to reformat the partition where it is present, without touching the one with the saved documents.
If, on the other hand, you wish to do a dual boot by putting, for example, Linux or another version of Windows, when you insert the CD at startup and the operating system installation program asks which disk to install, you choose the other partition, the one created manually.
Although it is simple, however, I must warn you to always be careful: if we make a mistake in selecting the partition or turn off the power during operations, we run the risk of damaging the computer, the operating system and the data stored on the disk.
In another article, we delved into the discussion by explaining how to create hidden virtual partitions and hard drives, very useful for protecting sensitive files or files that no one should read.
But if we want to test the old Microsoft operating systems in a real environment without resorting to virtual machines or we want to get closer to the Linux world, the first step is to create a partition on the PC hard disk, that is "reserve" a part of the space for the new system.
Alternatively we can create various partitions on the disk to separate the data and programs, so that we can format the system without losing the data.
In this guide we will show you the best programs to create a disk partition, so that you can use a single disk as if we had two or three, simply dividing them into many sections that can be used for new operating systems to try.
For this guide we will show you only the programs offered for free, so you can act without any licensing problems or without having to spend money on such an advanced functionality.
The guide is suitable for both mechanical hard disk partitioning and SSDs, which behave the same way when it comes to file systems and partitions.
READ ALSO: Best programs to format disks and manage hard disk partitions
1) What is partitioning for?
As mentioned in the introduction, we can partition our disk for various purposes, many of which are also useful in everyday scenarios.
- Many systems engineers believe that the operating system should be installed on a partition separate from the one where the programs and personal files are located, so as to protect the computer from damage.
Practically, having two or more separate partitions, if the system partition should break or be damaged, you can still use the other one for emergency and for file recovery.
- If we want to try other operating systems, it is necessary to reserve a part of the disk space for the new system, which will be placed on startup together with the main system
- If we want to create a copy or a system image, a good place to keep it is a separate partition on the disk (waiting to be moved to an external disk, much more secure); in this regard, we need to create an image of the operating system, you can refer to the guide to system backup and recovery programs .
READ ALSO: What does it mean to partition disks and how to create, extend, join partitions
2) Partition with Windows
If we don't have special needs, we can also use the partitioning program included in Windows, called Disk Management .
We can find it by right clicking on the Start button at the bottom left and clicking on the item of the same name; alternatively we can search for the program in the Windows 10 search bar or by looking for the name Disk Management in the Start menu.
Once this program is opened, we right click on the partition assigned as (C :) and select the item Reduce volume, indicating when we want to "remove" space from the main system.
This will create an empty, unallocated space inside the disk: to exploit it, just click on it with the right mouse button and choose New simple volume .
This system is effective for installing other Windows operating systems or for creating a partition in which to save personal data or system backups, but it is not applicable for those who want to try Linux or want more control over the partitioning system.
That's why we still recommend using one of the free programs in the next chapter.
READ ALSO: Create a partition (volume) on Windows by dividing a hard disk into several parts
3) The best free programs to create disk partitions
So, to create a partition in a simple way you have to use specific programs and, on this occasion, we report two, free.
One of them is considered the best program for creating partitions, even if it is not the most famous.
Easus Partition Master
One of the best (if not the best) program to create a partition or volume on a hard disk or SSD is Easus Partition Master.
This program makes simplicity of use its strong point: we can create any type of partition (even for Linux), hide the partitions that we do not want to be visible in the system (excellent for backups) and operate in an advanced way on the partitions with operations such as cloning or moving one or more partitions together.
Paragon Partition Manager Free
An excellent program for creating partitions is Paragon Partition Manager Free, available for free download for personal use.
Paragon is a software for the complete management of the hard disk, multifunction.
With it you can create disk images or partition images to keep for recovery of computer data and you can create new partitions on your computer.
There is also a rescue tool for creating bootable USB sticks for emergency use.
The backups can be scheduled, at regular intervals, also in a cumulative way, that is, without saving the entire disk every day but only the files changed since the previous saving.
You can also mount previously created images so that you can explore them as if it were any other folder or disk on your computer and manually add additional files to it.
As mentioned, in addition to backup and imaging operations, Backup & Recovery can also perform a series of operations for managing partitions.
In this way you can easily create new partitions (in FAT32, NTFS, EXT2 / 3/4, Linux Swap format), hide the partitions and check the integrity of the filesystem with more effective tools than the scandisk.
MiniTool Partition Wizard
MiniTool Partition Wizard (free for personal use) is a partition manager designed for any version of Windows, so we can also use it on Windows 7 and Windows 8.
With Partition Wizard users are able to perform complex operations such as:
- resizing of existing partitions also by enlarging them;
- copying entire partitions;
- create, format and delete new partitions;
- convert its format (Fat32 or NTFS);
- Explore the partitions;
- hide them from exploring resources;
- modify the letter with which it is indicated and named;
- set the primary or active partition (the one where the operating system is located).
Among the functions there are also those to create recovery disk images and to copy entire hard disks from one partition to another.
AOMEI PArtition Manager
AOMEI PArtition Manager is a simple, reliable and essential program for creating disk partitions in complete safety, preserving data integrity.
With it you can resize partitions, merge, copy and split partitions.
The simple and Windows-style interface will help any user to better manage all types of disks and partitions that we intend to use.
4) Conclusions
In general, creating partitions for the programs mentioned above is a very simple operation.
In case you have installed Windows, for example, before putting programs, you can use Paragon or Partition Wizard to create a new partition to be used to insert documents, personal files, programs and so on.
If one day Windows requires a reinstallation, it will be enough to reformat the partition where it is present, without touching the one with the saved documents.
If, on the other hand, you wish to do a dual boot by putting, for example, Linux or another version of Windows, when you insert the CD at startup and the operating system installation program asks which disk to install, you choose the other partition, the one created manually.
Although it is simple, however, I must warn you to always be careful: if we make a mistake in selecting the partition or turn off the power during operations, we run the risk of damaging the computer, the operating system and the data stored on the disk.
In another article, we delved into the discussion by explaining how to create hidden virtual partitions and hard drives, very useful for protecting sensitive files or files that no one should read.
