Windows 7: How to partition in windows 7 without formatting

Hello Friends,



I already have windows 7 home Basic edition install, i however want to partition the hard drive without formatting. need some step by step help. some screen shots will enhance my understanding.

Thanks.

Hello Bediako, and welcome to Seven Forums.

Before we get started, could you post a screenshot of your Disk Management (diskmgmt.msc) screen showing all of your HDD's layout? This will help determine what your options may be.

If you're looking to partition your HDD so you can keep your OS on one partion and your other files (documents, music, videos, or whatever arrangement you want on the other), there are a couple free softwares i've used to successfully partition my HDD that do it fairly easily and are fairly user-friendly.

If you Google "partition software" you'll find a couple. Some free, some not. But one I've been using lately is Easus Master Partition. I used this one recently to set my OS on the main partition, and my music on another, and work related documents on another. All regularly backed up of course.

As a safe/general rule of thumb, make sure that when you do partition your HDD, you make sure to create the free/unallocated space AFTER your main OS partition.



But if you don't feel like trying out new software and are really looking for a step-by-step guide, check out this tutorial here: Partition or Volume - Create New.
(Note: you do have the potential of ruining your hard drive and messing everything up. Make sure to read everything. Just a forewarning)

We're waiting for the screenshot so we can advise you further as we have thousands of others here.

Please post back a screenshot of your maximized Disk Management drive map and listings:

1. Type Disk Management in Start Search box.
2. Open Disk Mgmt. window and maximize it.
3. Type Snipping Tool in Start Search box.
4. Open Snipping Tool, choose Rectangular Snip, draw a box around full map and all listings.
5, Save Snip, attach using paper clip in Reply Box.

Tell us what is on each partition and what you'd like to add.

Hello abc617, i found your mail very useful both the info from the google site an the link u posted. many thanks and i will get back to u soon

Thanks

ello Brinks,
the screen shot is posted c drive has my OS, d drive has my hp recovery files the others are free. i need one more partition to make it 4.

could u also give me some clue on how to copy my recovery from d drive onto CD. i tried by going to recovery manager, it copied the first CD but my CD ROM drive keeps rejecting any other disk i insert, it needs 3 discs in other to complete the process.
Many thanks

How much space do you need for this additional partition and what do you intend to do with it? Looks like you can rob from either C or F.

You will likely need to use Partition Wizard bootable disc; free download from here:

Free download Magic Partition Manager Software, partition magic alternative, free partition magic, partition magic Windows 7 and server partition software - Partition Wizard Online

Unless you are absolutely desperate for space, I'd probably leave the HP recovery partition as is rather than make CDs. The CD recovery can be a bit shaky as you are finding out in your attempt to make the CDs.

I agree with ignatzatsonic. I would recommend to leave the HP "System" and "Recovery" partitions alone. If you mess with them, you may not be able to use them to do a factory recovery of Windows 7 again.

thanks friends, but what if the unexpected happens to the whole system, how do i revive it especially with my set-up still on d drive.

Well, it would be a good idea to create HP factory recovery discs or USB as a backup in case you lose all HDDs.

The link from HP below can give you a few options on how to do the factory system recovery.

HP Omni 220-1100 Desktop PC series*-* HP PCs - Performing an HP System Recovery (Windows 7) - c01867418 - HP Business Support Center