How Do I Partition an External HD?

sileebo

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I got an external hard drive with a backup image. I want to make a partition on it without formatting it and without erasing this backup image. How can I do this?
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    win 8.1
Open Disk Management.
Shrink the existing Partition.
Create a new partition out of the unused space.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 10 Pro X64
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Open Disk Management.
Shrink the existing Partition.
Create a new partition out of the unused space.
And this can be done without erasing the backup image already on the external HD?

I read theres a software you can download that does a better job than Disk Management. Its called Gparted. Should I use this instead of Disk Management!?
 
Last edited:

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    win 8.1
Open Disk Management.
Shrink the existing Partition.
Create a new partition out of the unused space.
And this can be done without erasing the backup image already on the external HD?

I read theres a software you can download that does a better job than Disk Management. Its called Gparted. Should I use this instead of Disk Management!?
When ever possible use windows tools inside of windows. Specially when it comes to partitioning and disk management. Only use 3rd party partitioning when you cannot do the job through Disk Management or in Command Prompt using Diskpart, such as a partition or disk suddenly shows up as RAW.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Update Pro in Hyper-V/Windows 10 Pro 64 bit
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    PC/Desktop
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    Cliff's Black & Blue Wonder
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    Intel Core i9-9900K
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    ASUS ROG Maximus X Hero
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    32 GB Quad Kit, G.Skill Trident Z RGB Series schwarz, DDR4-3866, 18-19-19-39-2T
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    C: Samsung 960 EVO NVMe M.2 SSD
    E: & O: Libraries & OneDrive-> Samsung 850 EVO 1TB
    D: Hyper-V VM's -> Samsung PM951 Client M.2 512Gb SSD
    G: System Images -> HDD Seagate Barracuda 2TB
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Whenever messing with disk partitions, there is always a risk there will be a problem, even with the best tools out there. So regardless the tool you use, you should always back up any data you don't want to lose.

If you are using W8.1 or W10, then I agree using Windows integrated tools as they are very effective. They are not the fanciest, but they work. That said, I use and have no problems recommending EASEUS Partition Master Home Edition - it is free for home/non-commercial use. I have used it many times successfully with XP, W7, W8, and W10 on hard drives and SSDs. And while I have never had a problem, I still always backup first. An untimely power outage, for example, would be very unfortunate.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    W10 Pro
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
Hello [FONT=Segoe UI, verdana, Tahoma, Calibri, Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif]sileebo[/FONT] ,


Gparted is a tool that does provide morefunctionality that the built in Windows Disk Management, however youdon't really need this additional functionality for what you want toachieve. I would recommend that you use Windows disk managementshrink option on the existing partition and then create a new onefrom the unallocated space. Good luck.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1
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