I just received this Dell computer with Win 7 Pro 64 installed. I am seeing some reservations expressed on the Internet about trying to partition the hard drive in this version.
I want to break a 500gb HD into four smaller...mostly equal sized...partitions.
Can it be done using the built in windows utility?
What do I need to look out for?
Is there free or low cost software to do this? I will probably only do this once.
You can do it with the built in partitioning. You may have to defrag the disc before the program will allow you to partition it. However, DO NOT disturb the Dell Recovery and Diagnostic partions (FAT partitions) that are on the hard drive. If the Dell recovery partition is corrupted it can't be recreated by users. The recovery partition (accessed by F8 at initial boot up) will allow you to restore the PC to the original factory condition without the need for any discs.
However, partitioning isn't really needed like it used to be. The OS could care less whether you have music (for example) on a partition or on the basic OS drive and it won't make any difference for speed of operation. I have a 1TB drive in my Win 7 system and it's the full 1TB, no paritions. Same way with defagging the drive, with the speed of modern PC's it's not a big hassle like it was in slow/older systems.
This appl is suggested by members of our forum
GParted -- Live CD/USB/PXE/HD
I do not think that it is really necessary to partition, however. If you do, be sure to have an image of HD, in case of problems.
I think the tricky part may you already have several partitions - because of the oem ones.
If you post a screenshot of the Disk Management window , we will be able to advise.
https://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials...en-forums.html
I agree with Fireberd.
You can most likely do what you want with Windows 7 built in Disk Management, but you might want to rethink if it is a wise idea to have that many partitions on a 500 gig drive.
The problem is that sooner or later you are going to run short of space in one of those partitions and then you are going to be forced into some very awkward and/or difficult partition resizing or deletion. It is very difficult to decide in advance how quickly your partitions will become filled. You will guess wrong and then end up in a tough situation.
I'd try to keep it to C only or maybe C and D. If you absolutely need more partitions, get another drive.
There is absolutely nothing wrong with a single partition, with an appropriate folder structure on that partition to separate your stuff at will. That strategy takes maximum advantage of your available space.
Thanks to all for the advice.
I want to partition partly because I have some older software that runs macros which were originally stored in partitions other than C or D.
And partly because I am used to separating user generated data from applications and so forth.
Probably, if I could somehow recreate the macros (it's been a long time since I delved into this at that level) would be willing to forego the partitions. That said, I am not really sure I like the way Windows is structured in that regard...from XP on. I am not fond of Windows thinking I should put my music in a folder or location not of my own choosing. Truth to tell...even in XP...if it weren't more hassle than it's worth I'd delete "My Music" and "My Documents," and the like. It's like moving into a house and just accepting the garish wallpaper.
I'll try to get a screen shot of the Disk management window.
Thanks again...
Yeah, re-writing macros can be a major hassle.
I agree with you about the whole "my music", "my documents" thing.
I don't have any idea why Microsoft ever even bothered with it. Anyone who uses a computer for more than about 5 minutes is going to know how to create a folder and subfolders anyway.
I try to ignore it, but it still rears its ugly head at times.
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