A disk partition is a section of a hard drive that can be used to store various items. Each partition on the disk is given a drive letter, for example, (C:). It can also have a volume label that can help the computer user identify the partition and what is stored on it. When you buy a computer from a retail outlet, it usually has just one partition on the main hard drive. However, you can actually put more than one partition on a drive. This can help you sort your data and programs more easily.

What means partitioning

Here’s a simple illustration to show what partitioning the drive means. Let’s say that you had a large box that you were going to use to store your clothes. You could throw your clothes into the box in one big jumble, but that would make it difficult to find what you needed to wear. Therefore, you separate the box into two sections using a small wall or partition. Now you can keep your outer clothing on one side and your underclothing in the other side.

If you want to get a little more organized, you could partition the box into two more sections for a total of four. Now you can put your shirts in one partition, your pants in a second partition, your underclothing in a third section and your socks in the fourth. Partitioning a hard drive is very similar to this. A single hard drive can be partitioned into four different sections.

In the PC

Now, let’s take that hard drive in the computer that you bought and divide it into two partitions. We are going to use one partition to store your operating system and program files. Let’s call that partition C. We are going to create a second partition, which we shall call D, and use it to store your data. In this way, we will be keeping your data separate from your operating system and program files. One of the advantages to doing this is that it will make backing up your data simpler and more efficient. When you set up your backup software, you will be able to point it to the D partition and the program will only search that partition for changes that need to be backed up.

Additionally, if you want to make a system image, you will only need to point the imaging software to the C partition. This will make the system image smaller. If your operating system becomes corrupted, you can use this system image to restore it, and then bring back your data using your backup software.

Using partitions

As stated previously, you can create up to four partitions on a single hard drive. You might want to add additional partitions so that you can further separate your data. For example, use one partition to store your documents and another to store your photographs. You could even have one partition that stores only your music files. While you can buy software that will assist you in partitioning a hard drive, most operating systems have a partitioning routine already built into them. In a Windows-based, this partitioning routine can be found under disk management.

Most partitioning routines will normally assign consecutive drive letters to the partitions made on a single hard drive. However, the user will set the drive labels, allowing them to indicate what is going to be stored on each partition.