The advantage of partitioning a drive is that you can separate user files from the OS files. Additional partitions can be handy for multi-boot setups with alternative operating systems on separate partitions. Although Windows 10 does include partitioning tools, third-party partition manager utilities have more extensive options. There are plenty of benefits that come with good partition management. You get to create the best possible disk space optimization to ensure your OS and application function at full capacity. Having multiple disk partitions allow you to run multiple operating systems on your computer. Dedicated software usually creates a better user experience by enabling you to follow intuitive step-by-step operations. On top of that, partition management softwares are configured to ensure maximum safety when it comes to preventing errors and data loss. Manually managing your disks is a little bit riskier. If created incorrectly, a hard disk partition can actually decrease the functionality of your PC and make it run slower. This often happens when you use multiple partitions for similar files and thus duplicate some essential system files. These are some of the more notable partition manager software packages for Windows 10.
What is the best partition manager for Windows 10?
Acronis Disk Director
Acronis provides powerful disk management controls under a simple and intuitive user interface. The aim is to maximize functionality without requiring much technical knowledge. It has a fairly extensive freeware version, but you can also upgrade to Professional, Server, Unlimited or Technician editions if required. AOMEI Partition Assistant is chock-a-block with partition management wizards. For example, users can select Disk Copy, Partition Copy, Partition Recovery, Migrate OS to SSD and Extend Partition wizards from the software’s sidebar. Below those you can select a variety of options for copying, merging, creating, splitting, moving, formatting, and deleting partitions. Its Quick Partition option is a great addition that enables users to re-partition a hard disk in just a few clicks. This software also enables users to queue multiple operations that they can then execute simultaneously. The software also allows complete disk conversion from MBR to GPT, dynamic disk to basic disk and vice versa, and also file system conversion between NTFS and FAT32. All conversions are done without any loss of data. Aomei Partition Assistant also comes with a recovery tool that can find lost files and partitions. Other key features of Aomei Partition Assistant include:
Data protection feature Permanent technical support Data migration support
The software comes in different versions, starting from standard-personal use packs and ending with full-featured professional versions created for MSPs. Aside from all its partitioning options, it also includes backup and restores tools so that users can back up files and clone entire hard disks. The software has freeware, Home and Professional version. With the freeware version users can create, format, move, resize and delete partitions. If you upgrade to the Home edition, you can split and merge partitions and redistribute free space to increase partition storage. The Home and Pro versions also have a handy boot manager that enables you to choose an OS to boot with and set up OS parameters. Paragon Partition Manager also has an intuitive UI reminiscent of the Windows 10 Start screen. The Express Launcher has tiles that provide easy access to the software’s wizards and utilities. Paragon has several conversion options including logical partition to primary partition, HFS volume to NTFS without reformatting, and MBR to GPT. It also offers support for safe operating system migration to another HDD or SSD. You don’t need to reinstall or reboot your OS. Other key features include:
Data recovery with the undelete feature Expand already existing partitions Identifies and fixes errors
Partitioning hard disks is a breeze with the Split Partition Wizard. This tool lets you create partitions and set them up to fully benefit your specific needs. You can label, format, and activate your partitions in just a few clicks. The process is completely safe and error-proof. Acronis Disk Director offers advanced format options that let you easily adapt your drive to the correct file system. It works with FAT16, FAT32. NTFS, Ext2, EXt3, Reiser, and Linux SWAP. Another useful feature that can improve disk performance and data storage is the disk converter. Acronis Disk Director can convert basic disks to dynamic disks without any loss of data or errors. On the topic of data security, this utility also provides a recovery tool. The Acronis Recovery Expert scans and recovers deleted or damaged volumes. This software has an easy-to-follow disk cloning wizard. This is very useful as allows you to replace old MBR disks with new ones without requiring you to reinstall the operating system and vital applications. Other key features of Acronis Disk Director include:
UEFI suupport Boot from CD/DVD or USB stick Add, remove, or break mirrored volumes
Acronis Disk Director is compatible with Windows operating systems starting with Windows XP. It is a licensed software with a free trial version with no expiration date.
Tenorshare Partition Manager
Tenorshare Partition Manager is another viable option that offers assisted support for general tasks such as disk creation, disk deletion, clone, split, format, resize, and more. It is also equipped with additional, more advanced features that help users take full control of their disk settings. The user interface is very simple with controls that are familiar to any Windows user. The design is very minimal as the main focus of this tool is its functionality. This comprehensive tool offers an easy step-by-step partition creation process. You just have to make sure that your disk has the necessary unallocated space for a new partition. Once you have that figured out, head to the Create tool in the main window of the software, and set your preferred parameters including name, type, file system, size, space, and more. You can always come back and change certain parameters, as the software lets you resize your partition. If you need to allocate unused disk space elsewhere, you can easily shrink your partition. On the other hand, if you need additional space, you can easily extend it. This tool can safely convert partitions from MBR to GPT as well as vice versa. It supports conversion for all types of file systems including FAT, NTFS, and HFS. Moreover, when it comes to HDD interfaces, Tenorshare Partition Manager can easily work with SATA, SCSI, SSSD, IEEE, and USB 3.0. It is also compatible with all types of removable media including CDs, DVDs, external hard drives, USB drives, and more. As previously mentioned, this software offers advanced partition customization tools. You can set partitions as active, change volume labels as well as change driver letters and paths. This allows you to create a better-organized workspace. Other key features include:
Format tool to erase all data Partition deletion option Disk splitting feature
Tenorshare Partition Wizard has a free version that includes all the above-mentioned features (with some limitations here and there). You can buy a license for more advanced features. These are the best recommended partition management utilities for Windows 10. With them, you can partition your hard disk quickly and efficiently. Some also include additional backup tools. Even though it provides a plethora of advanced disk management tools, the program is surprisingly straightforward to use with its Actions & Wizards sidebar and color-coded partition indicators. The software has freeware, Pro, Server, Enterprise, and Technician editions. The freeware version has a good variety of options for resizing, splitting, aligning, moving, creating, deleting, and formatting basic partitions. However, you’ll need to upgrade to the Pro version to merge partitions and create, delete and format dynamic volumes. MiniTool Partition Wizard is a comprehensive utility that comes with full partition controls that let you create, format, delete and copy your partitions. Not only that, but you can use some customization features to set partitions as active or inactive, ad labels, change drive letters, change partition type IDs and even change the serial number. The tool also offers a solution for users that worry about storing sensitive data. MiniTool lest you hide/unhide your partition in just a few clicks so no one can access the information without you knowing about it. The software also offers full partition properties reports and file system checks. Other key features of MiniTool Partition Wizard include:
Copy system and non-system disk Migrates OS to SSD/HDD Disk cleanup
The software’s Partition Recovery Wizard works like a charm and enables users to recover all partitions. MiniTool Partition Wizard also supports all hard disks such as IDE, SCSI, and external USB disks. However, the freeware version alone packs a lot in. With that you can resize, merge, move and split partitions. It provides you with recovery tools to restore lost partitions with. This software provides efficient and safe disk resize settings. If you want to add more space or, on the contrary, remove some disk space, just use the resize feature. You can slide the partition left and right until you get your optimal configuration or enter the specific size you want right away. An additional optimization method provided by EaseUS Partition Manager is the merge partitions feature. This can solve your low disk space options by combining two small, cluttered partitions into a larger one that has the potential to run smoother. The utility is also a safe environment for converting disks from MBR to GPT and vice versa without losing any data. It can also safely convert the file systems from FAT32 to NTFS. EaseUS Partition Manager also lets you clone your Windows 10 system partition/ drives to a new hard drive without reinstalling or reconfiguring the operating system. Other key features of EaseUS partition Wizard include:
Adjust all partition simultaneosly with the disk layout feature Manage dynamic volume Support for Windows Server Partition recovery feature Format feature
You can copy partitions to new disks with the program’s Partition Copy Wizard. EaseUS Partition Master’s defrag option is also a good system tool to include. ⇒ Get EaseUS Partition Master Professional Version It runs from a bootable disc or USB, but it has a full user interface. GParted is easy to use and it has a very intuitive process of editing a partition. The partition manager includes a lot of different file formats like EXT2/3/4, NTFS, FAT16/32, and XFS. You can change anything with just one click, and because it runs on a USB drive, there’s no need for a reboot. It also lets you hide partitions and works with all versions of Windows. Gparted is available for multiple operating systems including Windows and macOS. It is compatible with hard disk drives such as SATA, IDE, and SCSI, as well as flash memory devices, such as USB memory sticks, SSDs, and NVMes. Gparted also supports RAID devices. Other key features include:
Align partitions to MiB or traditional cylinder boundaries Data recovery from lost partitions Most features don’t require internet connection
GParted is around 300 MB and you can download it for free by following the link below. ⇒ Get GParted If you have any more suggestions or questions, don’t hesitate to leave them in the comments section below.
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