How to partition a hard drive from Windows 10 without losing data?

If you are using an SSD disk (please notice this is not recommended for mechanical HDD), then it might be easy to just create some .VHD or .VHDX files on your main partition and mount them as secondary drives (mount via File Explorer or via Computer Manager, or with command line). This way you can organise things better, and at the same time, you can more easily grow and shrink the size of each volume (don't exaggerate the number of volumes, you'll suffer later!).

In any case, it should me mentioned that if you're using SSD, then in the vast majority of cases (both server and desktop usage), having partitions doesn't give you any performance advantage, quite the contrary (a lot of hassle with volume size limits). Consider carefully if you want this. 

My experience: 

1. Backup: It is recommended to use an external hard drive, which is safe and fast, and cloud storage is too slow.
2. Use disk management: The disk management tool that comes with Windows 10 is the safest and suitable for novices.
3. Don't mess with the C drive: Too many partitions on the system drive can easily cause problems.
4. Recommended tool: If you are afraid of trouble, try professional Partition Assistant, which is simple and intuitive.

Remember, be sure to back up before partitioning! This is the only way to partition a hard drive from Windows 10. 💪

I have also recently studied how to partition safely on Windows 10, especially to avoid the trouble of losing files. Here are two simple methods for you to easily partition a hard drive for Windows 10, and the files will not be lost.

Solution 1: Use the built-in disk management tool
Backup first: This is very important! Whether you use an external hard drive or cloud storage, back up important files first. External hard drives are reliable, and cloud storage is convenient. You can choose which one is more convenient.

1. Open Disk Management: Right-click "This PC", click "Manage", and then select "Disk Management".
2. Compress Volume: Find your primary partition (usually the C drive), right-click "Compress Volume", and enter the size of the space you want to divide.
3. Create a new partition: The compressed space will be displayed as "Unallocated", right-click it, select "New Simple Volume", and then follow the prompts to set the partition format and drive letter.
4. Complete the partition: It will be done in a few minutes, and there is no need to worry about file loss.

Solution 2: Use the command line (suitable for those who like to tinker)
Open the command prompt (administrator mode): press Win+S to search for "cmd", right-click and "Run as administrator".

1. Enter diskpart to enter the partition tool.
2. Enter list volume to view all partitions.
3. Select the partition you want to adjust: select volume X (X is the partition number).
4. Compress the partition: use the command shrink desired=XXXX (XXXX is the number of MB you want to allocate).
5. Create a new partition: enter create partition primary, then format: format fs=ntfs quick.
6. Assign a drive letter: assign letter=Y (Y is the drive letter you want to use).
7. Done! This can also be operated without pressure on partition a hard drive from Windows 10.

Reminder:
Pay attention to backup: disk operations are risky, and backup is double insurance.
Don't touch too many system disks: especially the C drive, be careful to allocate key system files.
Tool recommendation: If you are afraid of making mistakes using the command line, software like AMEI Partition Assistant is also super friendly.

I wish you a smooth partition and a perfect partition a hard drive from Windows 10! 

To partition a hard drive from Windows 10 without losing dataSince DiskPart is a command-line interface (CLI), you won't get visual feedback as you do with the Disk Management tool. This can make it harder to visualize what's happening or identify potential issues. With great power comes great responsibility, right? It's super easy to make mistakes using DiskPart. A single misstep can lead to data loss, partition corruption, or even render your hard drive unusable.

To make things easier, Microsoft has provided some excellent tools to help you manage your hard drive partitions. Here are a few options:

• Disk Management: As mentioned earlier, Disk Management is a built-in tool in Windows 10 that allows you to create, delete, and resize partitions. It's a visual interface that's much easier to use than DiskPart.
• Disk Cleanup: This tool helps you free up space on your hard drive by deleting temporary files, system files, and other items you don't need. It's a great way to declutter your hard drive and make space for new partitions.
• System File Checker (SFC): This tool scans your system files and replaces any corrupted or missing files with fresh copies. This can help prevent data loss and ensure your system runs smoothly.

Partitioning your hard drive can help you organize your files better, improve system performance, and manage your storage more efficiently. However, it's essential to approach this process carefully to avoid any potential data loss. Here are some key tips to ensure a smooth and safe partitioning experience on Windows 10 to partition a hard drive without losing data:

1. Backup the Drive. 

Before you start partitioning, make sure to back up all your important files. Even though the partitioning process is generally safe, unexpected issues like power outages or system errors can occur, potentially leading to data loss.

2. Ensure Sufficient Free Space on Your Drive

Before you attempt to shrink a partition, ensure that there is enough free space available. Run the Disk Cleanup tool to remove unnecessary files and free up space. Additionally, defragmenting your drive can help rearrange fragmented data, making it easier to shrink the partition without affecting your files. To defragment, search for Defragment and Optimize Drives in the Start menu, select your drive, and click Optimize.

3. Create a System Restore Point

Creating a system restore point before partitioning adds an extra layer of safety. If something goes wrong, you can easily revert your system to its previous state. To create a restore point, search for Create a restore point in the Start menu, select your system drive, and click Create. During the partitioning process, avoid interrupting your computer by shutting it down or restarting it.

The built-in command line (diskpart) can also partition a hard drive windows 10 without any data loss! While it might seem intimidating at first, following the right steps can help you safely create new partitions without risking your existing data. Below is a comprehensive guide to help you through the process using the built-in DiskPart utility.

Here are a set of commands to partition a hard drive from Windows 11 Command Prompt utility, including disk selection, disk shrinking, creation of new partition and new disk formatting.

diskpart
list disk
select disk 0
list partition
select partition 1
detail partition
shrink desired=50000
create partition primary size=50000
format fs=ntfs quick
assign letter=E
exit

Now, press Win + E to open File Explorer. Look for the new drive letter (e.g., E:) under This PC. Ensure that it's accessible and properly formatted.

Partitioning your hard drive via the command line in Windows 10 using DiskPart is a straightforward process when approached methodically. By following the steps outlined above and taking necessary precautions like backing up your data and double-checking commands, you can safely create new partitions without risking your existing files.

Before  partitioning a hard drive from Windows 10, ensure your hard drive is in good shape. You can do this by running a quick check with the built-in Windows tool (right-click the drive > Properties > Tools > Check). If your drive has issues, partitioning might make them worse.

Now, if you’re ready to get into the nitty-gritty of partitioning a hard drive from Windows 10 without worrying as much, here’s a chill step-by-step.

1. Open Disk Management:
- Right-click on the Start button and select "Disk Management."

2. Shrink Your Main Drive:
- Right-click on the primary drive (usually C:), then click "Shrink Volume."
- It’ll calculate how much you can shrink based on the free space available. Just decide how much space you want to allocate to your new partition and confirm.

3. Create New Partition:

- After shrinking, you’ll see unallocated space. Right-click that space and select “New Simple Volume.”
- Follow the wizard to format it as NTFS and assign a drive letter.

4. Final Check:

- After the process is complete, navigate to File Explorer and make sure your new partition is there and accessible.

Partitioning a hard drive in Windows 10 without losing your data is entirely possible with the right steps. Here's a comprehensive guide to help you partition a hard drive from Windows 10 without losing data.

Step 1: Before making any changes to your hard drive, it's crucial to back up your important files. You can back up your data using an external hard drive, USB flash drive, or cloud storage services like Google Drive, Dropbox, or OneDrive.

Step 2: Press Win + X on your keyboard and select Disk Management from the menu. Once Disk Management is open, you'll see a graphical representation of your hard drives and their partitions.

Step 3: To create a new partition, you first need to shrink the existing one to free up space. In the Disk Management window, right-click on the partition you want to shrink (usually the C: drive) and select Shrink Volume.

Step 4: The system will query the volume for available shrink space. After a moment, you'll see the total size before shrink, the size available to shrink, and the amount you want to shrink. Enter the amount of space to shrink in megabytes (MB).

Step 5: With the unallocated space ready, you can now create a new partition now. Right-click on the unallocated space and select New Simple Volume. The New Simple Volume Wizard will open. Click Next. Specify the volume size. Click Next. Assign a drive letter of your choice and click Next.

Step 6: After completing the wizard, the new partition should appear in Disk Management and File Explorer with the assigned drive letter and name.

Step 7: Choose the file system (typically NTFS for Windows), set the allocation unit size to Default, and you can also name the volume (e.g., "Games" or "Work"). Ensure the Perform a quick format option is checked for faster setup, then click Next. Review your settings and click Finish to create the partition.

By following these steps carefully, you can successfully partition Windows 10 hard drive without losing any data. Taking the time to back up and prepare ensures a smooth and safe partitioning process.