When we talk about partitioning the hard drive , especially if it is the first time you listen to it or if you have never done it before, it is very possible that it sounds like a technically complicated task that most of the users do not need to worry about. .
But the reality is that it is relatively simple to do, it costs absolutely no money and it would help make our computing life a little simpler, easier and more productive.
The partition divides a hard disk into multiple disks . We could assimilate it to a chocolate cake that we have just made at home: in the different layers we find the stored data, but then we can cut it into several pieces to serve them to our guests. If we cut it into two large portions, all our files will be placed in the first one, and the second one will become a completely new space where we can fill in those layers little by little. It is the operating system that is responsible for carrying out this partition, usually in smaller pieces or spaces. Therefore, the end result, with regard to macOS or Windows, is that we have two or three units installed instead of one (obviously, the number will depend on the number of partitions we have carried out, usually one or two , as much).
If we are using a desktop computer it is evident that we can physically install a second hard disk, either internally or externally. It is an added option, much more orderly than the partition, although it will obviously have a cost, since we will have to spend money to buy that additional unit. However, as long as we have storage space to spare, the partition will make a lot more sense .
What are the benefits of partitioning the hard drive?
When we consider the possibility of partitioning the hard drive, it is usually mainly due to a need, or a specific purpose, rather than on a whim.
One of the most common options is to have two operating systems on the same computer. For example, we can have an iMac and run macOS on the original partition, and then install Windows on the other. In fact, Apple makes the task much easier because it has an official tool for it, known by the name of ‘BootCamp Assistant’.
As long as both partitions are visible when we turn on the computer, we can choose which operating system to use at that time. Generally, all applications and files are kept separate from each other .
Even if we are not interested in having two different operating systems on the same device, we can still benefit from having a separate partition, especially for key files and folders .
And why have these files and folders on a separate partition? Very simple: it isolates them from whatever operating system we are running, so we can reset and update Windows or macOS without worrying about what happens to the data. In addition, it also greatly facilitates the recovery of data saved on them if the partition where the operating system is located has been damaged .
How to partition your hard drive
The truth is that both Windows and macOS have integrated partition tools that, without any doubt, greatly facilitate the task and the process. In case you are using Windows, you need to access Disk Management , which you will find by searching for it in the search box on the taskbar.
You must first choose Shrink Volume to reduce the size of the existing hard drive partition. Once we have reduced some space, it is possible to click on it through the right click, and choose the option New simple volume to format the new partition.
If you are going to do it through macOS, you must first access Disk Utility , looking for it in Applications, or through the Spotlight functionality). Once inside, we will see the main internal unit appear. Then, the options are to click on the Partition button, or on the More button that we will find located above the Volume label.
Finally, we will only have to slide the tab until it is placed in the storage capacity that we want the new partition to have. Clever!
