How to partition a hard drive on your Windows 8 PC? Step by step guide

He HDD, or hard drive, is a storage unit available on any computer. These units provide multiple functionalities. For example, the ability to partition. If you want to know How to partition a hard drive on your Windows 8 PCcontinue reading this step by step guide.

Create partitions on the hard drive It is very useful when provide protection to PC files, while the information is distributed in a more organized way.

Each partition can fulfill a specific function. However, you must know certain key points to carry it out. Therefore, we will teach you everything you should know regarding this topic.

How convenient is it to partition a hard drive? Advantages and disadvantages

A partition is a special division of the hard drive. It can be created, edited or deleted by the user at any time, and can be used to save any information as a backup. However, certain precautions need to be taken. How convenient is it to partition a hard drive?

Here are the advantages and disadvantages of the process:

Advantage

The hard drive partition It is a process carried out by users with intermediate or advanced knowledge about the topic.

Such a measure offers many advantages, among which are:

You can install multiple operating systems: Having separate partitions of the hard disk will allow you to have installed on the computer more than one operating system. Similarly, you can allocate a partition to share files between the different installed systems.
Protect your information in case of failures: If your operating system starts to show problems, for whatever reason, then you probably won't be able to use the HDD. Therefore, having a partition will allow you to store the system in one part, and your data in another. So in case of a formatting, your information is not affected.
Improve performance: Currently, the hard drives have storage spaces of up to 10TB. However, having multiple partitions allows you to reduce the delay of data repositioning and therefore improves the performance of your computer.
Optimal maintenance: The multiple partitions facilitate the maintenance of the hard disk, since it favors various processes such as: Optimization, defragmentation, file search acceleration and the error checking in the system.
Improve distribution and organization: Partitions allow you to allocate each space to a different task. For example, you can store photos and videos on one partition, video games on another, backups or programs on a third partition. In such a way, your personal space will enjoy better personal organization.

Disadvantages

Partitions function as a backup. However, such a method is not as safe or foolproof as you think.

Among the most notable disadvantages are:

Damaged hard drive: In case the hard drive ends damaged, all partitions will be compromised, since they are in the same physical drive.
Increased wear: In some cases, partitions improve computer performance. However, on other occasions it can slow down the mechanism, since you will have two work areas. Which implies a more effort for the PC.
Limited space: If you divide a hard drive from 2 TB, you will have two partitions of 1TB. In case of making more partitions, the space for each one will be smaller. This can cause some parts of the disc to wear out faster than others.
Failure-prone: It is essential to back up the information before partitioning the hard drive. Before any failure, you can lose all your data. The same applies when modifying a partition, or when you want to install a new operating system on the hard disk.

Learn step by step how to partition a hard drive in Windows 8

Create a hard drive partition It may seem challenging. However, if you follow the instructions to the letter, you can successfully divide the storage space. Then, learn step by step how to partition a hard drive in Windows 8. As mentioned earlier, it is recommended to make a backup before proceeding to partition the disk.

It is not a mandatory step, so you can skip it if you wish:

Right click on the menu "Start" of Windows. Then select Disk Management.
In the next window you will be shown a list of the units connected to the PC. This includes the HDD, pendrives, partitions or CD / DVD. Each one identified by a letter, the name and the size of the storage.
The partition can only be created in the "unallocated" space of a hard disk. You can identify it by the upper black bar that is named as such.

In case of not seeing the space “Not assigned”, you must right click on the disk and click on "Dicrease the volume".
In the field "Size of the space you want to reduce", enter the size in Megabytes you want to dedicate to the new partition and click "Reduce". In this way, the “Unallocated” space can be viewed without major problems.

Right click on the "Unallocated" space of the disk in which you want to make the partition. Then select "New Simple Volume".
Then a wizard window will run. Continue the process by pressing "Following".
In the next window you should define the size you want for the new partition. Write a value that meets the minimum and maximum indicated by the wizard. Similarly, you can keep the recommended size. When setting the size, press "Following".
In the event that the unit does not have an assigned letter, click on the option "Assign the next drive letter". You will then be presented with a drop down list. Select there the letter with which you prefer to identify the new partition. Confirm your selection with "Following".
In the next window, click on "Format this volume with the following settings".
Next, define some options:

File System: You must choose between NTFS or FAT.
Allocation unit size: Be sure to keep the default.
Volume label: Assign a name that defines the role of the new partition. It is not a mandatory step.
Finally, uncheck the "Quick format" box. When finished, just click on "Following".
You will then see an information window with the details you have selected for the new partition. Verify that everything is in order and click on the button "Finalize".
Go back to the Disk Management to verify that the new partition is there. You can identify it by a blue bar at the top.
An indicator should appear in the window showing the formatting advance, although it may take time to appear on the screen. When it reaches 100%, you can close the window.
If a notice appears asking you to format, you can close it. Finally, enter the "File Browser" and verify that the new partition is in the list of drives.
If the new partition does not appear, go back to Disk Management and right click on the newly created partition. Choose "Change drive letter and paths".
You must click "Change". Then make sure that the box "Assign the next drive letter" is checked. Choose a different letter for the partition.
Finally press "To accept". Return to "File Browser" to verify that the partition is available.

List of best tools to partition hard drive in Windows 8

In Internet there are a variety of programs designed to facilitate the partitioning process Of discs. Each application has its own functions, so it is up to you to choose the one that best suits your needs.

Here we leave you a list of the best tools to partition the hard drive in Windows 8:

AOMEI Partition Assistant

It's a free partition wizard which is available for the operating systems of Windows XP, 7, 8, 8.1 and 10. The peculiarity of the application is that you can partition without formatting the storage unit. AOMEI It has two paid versions, which expand the variety of options that the free version brings. It is also compatible with systems FAT and NTFS.

Among other characteristics, the following stand out:

The possibility of create, move, join, detach, resize and divide partitions.
You can create bootable units. (Starter discs)
You can convert a GPT partition to MBR without complication.
It has tools recovery and diagnostic.

Download AOMEI Partition Assistant Windows

EASEUS Partition Master Free

It is a tool developed by the company EASEUS. It is oriented to partition hard drives and storage units easily. It is an application with complete work options to make a process much more effective. It has a easy to use interface, and its basic and advanced functions are very well balanced. Although you can download the free version, you can also choose one of the payment plans.

Other features are:

You can change, hide, move, merge, recover or convert partitions.
It allows you to drive up to 32 units.
Can create dynamic disks.
The paid versions have updates free.

Download EASEUS Partition Master Free Windows

Minitool Partition Wizard

It is a free program widely used by novice users and by professionals in the area. Its interface is intuitive, making it easy to adapt to the management of its functions. You have the option to create disk partitions without resorting to formatting. Like the previous ones, it also has paid versions, which have licenses to be used on up to three computers at the same time.

Some of its functions are:

You can format removable drives and drives completely at any time.
It is available to the vast majority of storage devices.
You can create, copy, delete, edit, change, recover and make invisible partitions on the hard drive.
It's compatible with systems FAT, FAT32 and NTFS.