How do I partition an external hard drive on Windows 11?

How to partition external hard drive? There are a few ways to free up space on a partition of an external hard drive in Windows, depending on what you mean by "free."

1.  Deleting Files/Folders:
This is the simplest way to free up space.  Just delete the files and folders you don't need from the partition.  Windows Explorer is your friend here.  Right-click on the folder, and choose "Delete."  If you have lots of files, you might want to use a search to locate files you don't need.

2.  Deleting the Partition (Important: This wipes the data!):
If you want to completely clear the partition and use the space for something else, you need to delete the partition. This is a drastic measure.  BE ABSOLUTELY SURE YOU'VE BACKED UP ANYTHING IMPORTANT ON THAT PARTITION FIRST.  Deleting a partition is permanent, and you can't get the data back.

• Open Disk Management (search for "disk management" in the Start Menu).
• Locate your external hard drive in the list.
• Right-click on the partition you want to delete.
• Choose "Delete Volume." You'll likely be asked to confirm.
• After deleting the partition, you can create a new one.

3.  Formatting the Partition:
Formatting a partition is similar to deleting a volume, but you might be able to re-use the partition without having to recreate it.  This is a good option if you want to use the drive for a new operating system or for storing new data.

When you are figuring out how to partition external hard drive. If you're unsure about any of these steps, it's best to ask for help from someone more familiar with computer partitioning.  Mistakes can lead to data loss, and that's the last thing you want.