How to partition a hard drive?

[CarienQuiroga]

I have bought a WD 1TB hard drive for saving my data. And many people also suggest that I should partition it into three or four. But, I don’t know why and how. Do I need special software?

 

[Ubrales]

You can partition a hard drive using Windows, but why? These days all you need to do is to create folders for different types of data.

 

[Ubrales]

Go to Control Panel ---> Administrative Tools ---> Computer Management ---> Disk Management

From here you right click the drive that you want to partition ((you will lose all data on the drive).

 

[Guest]

I have bought a WD 1TB hard drive for saving my data. And many people also suggest that I should partition it into three or four. But, I don’t know why and how. Do I need special software?

i don't know why anyone would put several partitions on a data only HD. some folks like to use one smaller partion for windows only and have another partion for just data; makes creating a back up image easier, that understand but, putting several partitions on a HD will not magically make it faster.

i'd really recommend doing the steps ubrales posted for a single partion.

 

[MichaelAtkins]

You do not need special software to help you partition it.
Actually, a partitioned drive always can provide more partitions for you to put your different data so that you can manage the data in order and find it quickly. That is exactly the main reason why we partition a new drive. But, if you want to know more reasons, you could visit there: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Disk_partitioning

 

[MichaelAtkins]

As Ubrales writes, you could partition your new drive by using windows.
What version of windows do you use, Win XP or Win 7?
Here are the steps for Win XP:
http://pcsupport.about.com/od/windowsxp/ht/partition-hard-drive-xp.htm
Here are the steps for Win 7:
http://pcsupport.about.com/od/windows7/ht/partition-hard-drive-windows-7.htm
You should follow the steps carefully and pay attention to the mentioned notes and tips.
Best wishes!

 

[rdc85]

I'm using lots of partition to separate data by it's type/purpose...

(sort of virtual data library, it looks neat and organized as well as easier to backup)

U can using disk management from windows to partition the disk, just remember there a limit (restriction) on number of physical partition in one disk (3 if I'm not remember it wrong)

 

[CarienQuiroga]

Thanks for your quick answers. I will try your ways!

 

[CarienQuiroga]

Best answer selected by CarienQuiroga.