Hello folks, Not sure if this is posted in right place! On my pc are 2 partitions c: 910gb (720gb free) and (Recover) d: 20gb (10.6gb free), I would like to either create a new partition using maybe 500gb or extending the d: drive (or is this not wise as it is the recovery drive?) I would like to do this on the fly as I havent got spare 200gb lying about to transfer stuff off c: to. Can anyone recommend a reasonably easy to use program to accomplish this?
Thanks
Mik
Hi, and welcome to the forum. 
It is not wise to mess with the Recovery partition, I suggest you leave the 'D' partition well alone. You can use freeware to create a new partition from the available space on 'C' without destroying existing data. My recommendation would be Easeus Partition Master Home HERE
Even though this software is very good there is always an element of risk involved with these types of operations. I suggest you create a full system image prior to commencing. What operating system are you running? If Windows 7 then the ability to create full system images is already built in. If XP or Vista, I suggest using Macrium Reflect Free HERE.
Cheers...Jim
Hello and thanks Jim, just wondering about imaging drives, if i do an image will it be the same size as the space used? eg my c: 190gb used (approx) making the image 190gb too and do I image d: as well? as I realise if I lose this I have to buy a copy of win7 on disc!
With partiitioning, how big does c: need to be? this is where everything installs is it? so if I make it an extra 100gb I should be alright for little while? Funnily enough I had a quick look through recommended software and downloaded Easeus Partition Master earlier...I gather it's pretty straightforward then!
Thanks for now
No doubt lots more to ask in future!
Hi - So you are running Win 7 then, yes?
Both Windows 7 native imaging tool and Macrium Reflect only include used space by default - they do not include free space in the images.
Both utilize a method of compression to make the images smaller than original size. Not sure what level of compression the Windows 7 imaging tool uses but Macrium Reflect includes compression options.
Images cannot be saved on the same drive as the one being imaged, they must be saved to external media or to a separate partition or internal drive (external USB drive is recommended).
There is no real need to create an image of 'D' drive. Creating images of 'C' drive sort of makes drive D's functionality redundant.
If you create a secondary partition; You will need to maintain all system files and installed program files on 'C' - everything else, including personal data (documents, pictures, videos, etc) can be stored on the secondary partition. You will need to balance the available disk space to suit your needs/habits. If you store a lot of large files such as video and photo files on the hard drive then you need to make allowances for that on the newly created partition. If you tend to install a lot of software then you will need to leave room on the 'C' drive accordingly - an additional 100 gigs would be more than adequate under normal circumstances.
And yes, Easeus Partition Master is pretty straightforward, as straightforward as partitioning software gets anyway. 
Cheers now...Jim
How big is your harddisk? I have 500G and do not recommend partitioning. There are different schools of thought here, but it's always best to use a second drive, internal or external (since the cost now is very small), Mindblower!
"For the needy, not the greedy"
I'll throw my .02 into the ring...
If you are going to alter the partition structure of the drive I would image the entire drive not just the c: partition - you never know what may happen or what mistakes might be made. Always better to have the full drive imaged as a fall back.
I know many are fans of differing partition schemes, but I am not. I prefer to have the OS and data on the same partition - less complicated(for me) and less likely to be lost due to a partitioning error. Unless I have a specific reason to do so I prefer to use folders for organization.
Jim is also right about your d: partition. Unless you have actual recovery media (CD/DVD) it should be left alone and not altered.
Since here in Canada we're going to discard the penny soon, I'll just add my nickel's worth. Hardware prices, especially in regard to hard disk, has dropped to record lows, and I imagine it's even lower in the US. Plus, there is almost no worry as to how to configure extra drives, it's all done for you. And having / using several drives, makes it much easier to get up and running if a problem should present itself, Mindblower!
"For the needy, not the greedy"
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