Disk partitioning divides the data storage space of a hard disk into separate areas referred to as ‘partitions’. Partitions are usually created when the hard disk is first being prepared for usage. Once a disk is divided into partitions, directories and files may be stored on them. Because of later changes on the computer and operating system, often an administrator or power user will be faced with the need to resize partitions, create new partitions in the unallocated space, and sometimes even undelete partitions that were previously removed or deleted.

Hard Drive Partitioning:  Use Caution!

Most tools will let you convert a partition from one file type to another, i.e. from NTFS to FAT/FAT32 or vice versa. Needless to say that in most cases, such a conversion, especially from NTFS to FAT/FAT32 will cause the files to lose their NTFS permissions (ACLs), and in some cases where EFS was used to encrypt the files, it will actually cause you to lose access to these files. So beware!

Some of these tools may be able to help you recover deleted partitions, and if data on that disk was un-damaged, actually help you gain access to that data. Some, but not all of the tools may have the ability to move existing partitions from one location on the disk to another location, again, without losing data.

Note: We’ve tried to make this guide as definitive as possible, there are always changes in the software world that we’re not aware of. We would gladly accept your feedback, comments and tool recommendations. Please limit your feedback to freeware utilities.

Disclaimer: The author of this article cannot be held responsible for any data loss or computer malfunction due to using any of the tools listed in this article. Please carefully read the software creators’ read-me files and manuals, and always test before using any tool on a computer or hard disk that holds critical information.  Remember as well that free products rarely, if ever, provide any kind of end user support other than forum or community support.  If you’re unsure of what you’re doing, or need technical support, it’s best to go with a paid product.

Free Partition Tools

1.EaseUs Partition Manager

EaseUs Partition Master Home Edition is a FREE disk partitioning utility that offers a powerful range of functions such as resizing partitions, formatting partitions, copying partitions, creating new partitions, deleting partitions, hiding partitions, changing drive letters, setting active partitions, and a handful other functions. Some of the main characteristics of EaseUs Partition Manager are:

• Material support for RAID
• Re-size and move partitions without losing data
• Create and delete partitions with a simple stage
• Allocated in a partition to make easier recognition
• Format of partitions by simple click
• Partition of ownership of every partition
• Conceal and to show partitions – to protect important data
• Specify a boot partition
• Outline of the effects of partitioning of a hard disk before applying
• Works on hard disks of 20GB to 800GB

Note: EaseUs Partition Master Home Edition ONLY supports 32 bit Windows systems. If your computer is running 64 bit Windows systems, please check the Professional or Server editions which are not free.

Get EaseUs Partition Manager here:

A hard drive is not always used as a single drive, but is often split up into multiple drives. This is accomplished prior to formatting, in a process called partitioning. As the name indicates, a hard drive partition is part of the drive, or a section, treated by the operating system as an independent storage area or drive. Hence, a 120-gigabyte (GB) drive can be partitioned into several drives, rather than being used as one large drive.

A hard drive, also known as a hard disk drive or HDD, is a fundamental part of modern computers. The hard drive is where all of your programs and files are stored, so if the drive is damaged for some reason, you will lose everything on your computer.

A hard drive uses similar memory storage technology to cassette tapes and video tapes. You may already know that tapes store information on long, thin strips of tape with a delicate magnetic material on its surface. Likewise, hard drives contain round, mirror-like platters that are covered with that same magnetic recording medium.

hard disk is a metal plate with magnetic surfaces. It is a component of a disk drive. The hard drive equipment reads from and writes to the surface of the hard disk. These hard drives are a common part of either Macintosh or PC computers, as well as other large devices that include data storage.

In a hard drive, an actuator arm assembly locates platter cylinders for reading from and writing to the disk. Read and write heads act as the agents for these functions. The total assembly fits into a rectangular metal container. In traditional computing, the hard disk was the internal structure for storing data in a workstation or personal computer. External disks were called “floppy disks” because they had soft internal media instead of a hard disk. The emergence of new types of drives has made floppy disk technology largely obsolete.

Today, a hard disk can be either part of an internal disk drive, or an external drive that connects to a computer. Internal and external hard disks provide a common method for storing a lot of executable programs. They also provide a stable way to hold many gigabytes of data in a separate drive that can be disconnected from a laptop or desktop computer. An innovation called Perpendicular Magnetic Recording or PMR is increasing the amount of data that a hard drive can hold. A new product called the Terabyte Hard Drive represents this progression.

Hard drives are getting competition from other new technologies. One of these is the flash drive. A flash drive is not a hard disk drive, but a solid state drive, where a new form of data storage replaces the circular hard disk technology. The hard drive and the solid state drive often share the same USB (Universal Serial Bus) connections to the computer, but the way data is recorded and stored is different.

A hard drive needs to be periodically defragmented, where the computer re-organizes all of what is written on the drive surface for optimized performance. Because a solid state drive doesn’t write to a hard disk, it does not need to be defragmented. Solid state drives can be more expensive than hard drives, but they are becoming a more common way to hold and deliver data. Lots of manufacturers are using solid state drive technology for smaller electronic devices as well as ruggedized computers and some netbooks.

An operating system is a program designed to run other programs on a computer. A computer’s operating system is its most important program. It is considered the backbone of a computer, managing both software and hardware resources. Operating systems are responsible for everything from the control and allocation of memory to recognizing input from external devices and transmitting output to computer displays. They also manage files on computer hard drives and control peripherals, like printers and scanners.

The operating system of a large computer system has even more work to do. Such operating systems monitor different programs and users, making sure everything runs smoothly, without interference, despite the fact that numerous devices and programs are used simultaneously. An operating system also has a vital role to play in security. Its job includes preventing unauthorized users from accessing the computer system.

There are multiuser, multiprocessing, multitasking, multithreading, and real-time operating systems. A multiuser operating system enables multiple users to run programs simultaneously. This type of operating system may be used for just a few people or hundreds of them. In fact, there are some operating systems that are used to allow thousands of people to run programs at the same time.

A multiprocessing operating system allows a program to run on more than one central processing unit (CPU) at a time. This can come in very handy in some work environments, at schools, and even for some home-computing situations. Multitasking operating systems work a little differently; they make it possible to run more than one program at a time. Multithreading operating systems are even more different, allowing varied parts of one program to be used simultaneously.

Real-time operating systems are designed to allow computers to process and respond to input instantly. Usually, general-purpose operating systems, such as disk operating system (DOS), are not considered real time, as they may require seconds or minutes to respond to input. Real-time operating systems are typically used when computers must react to the consistent input of information without delay. For example, real-time operating systems may be used in navigation.

Today’s operating systems tend to have graphical user interfaces (GUIs) that employ pointing devices for input. A mouse is an example of such a pointing device, as is a stylus. Commonly used operating systems for IBM-compatible personal computers include Microsoft Windows, Linux, and Unix variations. For Macintosh computers, Mac OS X, Linux, BSD, and some Windows variants are commonly used.

An ISO image is created by a particular software and is the replica of an existing file system. This image can include the whole contents of a DVD-ROM or a CD-ROM. The program that will be used to open, create, edit and extract the DVD image file will allow the users to convert the extracted contents into an ISO image that will burn the exact contents into a DVD again.