- #How to partition second hard drive for dual boot software
- #How to partition second hard drive for dual boot Pc
To create a new partition, choose a disk that has free storage space, right-click it, and select Shrink Volume. An entry for Disk Management should show up underneath the Storage heading on the left-hand side.Ĭlick Disk Management, and you should see a list of your existing drives and partitions (if applicable).
Partitioning in Windows’ Disk Management tool.Open the Disk Management tool by slecting Control Panel, Administrative Tools, Computer Management. The partitioning process shouldn’t delete any data, but you can’t be too careful when working with your hard drive.
#How to partition second hard drive for dual boot software
Note: Users with complicated hard-drive configurations, RAID arrays, or the Windows XP operating system will likely need more-powerful partitioning software than Microsoft’s Disk Management tool– EaseUs Partition Master is a good place to start.įirst, back up your data. Generally, two operating systems can’t coexist on the same volume without stepping on one another’s toes, so you won’t be able to dual-boot Linux or ease into Windows 7 if you’re on a single-volume system.
#How to partition second hard drive for dual boot Pc
Some computer manufacturers (Lenovo, for example) supply a built-in emergency partition on some of their PCs, but you can make your own, if your PC lacks one.įinally, partitioning lets you try out other operating systems–like Linux, for example. If you’ve created a bootable partition that’s large enough to contain a stripped-down OS and a handful of diagnostic tools, you can use it to rescue your data and salvage your computer. Suppose that Windows unexpectedly croaks and you don’t have your emergency boot disc handy. You can also set up an emergency partition. In addition, you’ll be less likely to lose your data in an accident and if you ever need to reformat and reinstall Windows, you won’t have to worry about restoring your data backups.
If you keep your system and apps on a partition separate from your data (documents, music, video, and the like), the data will be easier to back up (because your backup utility won’t bother to copy the system and apps, which you can reinstall from the discs or redownload from an online source). One drive, three partitions.Partitioning your hard drive essentially tells your computer to treat portions of that drive as separate entities.