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Free Windows Partition Manager?

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Free Windows Partition Manager?

I can't find a good one that's free

from WinCustomize Forums
I found a few free ones, but they seem to not do what I need. Does anyone know of a good free one?
24,353 views 54 replies
Reply #26 from WinCustomize Forums Top
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=309000
Reply #27 from WinCustomize Forums Top
I always use PartitionMagic, since it can do on-the-fly creating and resizing without those reboots.

But if I were looking for a freeware app, Ranish would be top of the list: http://www.ranish.com/part/
Sins of a Solar Empire: Rebellion
Reply #28 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Win is taking up my whole disk, but there is plenty of free space, so does that change the scenario?

Ranish: Looks quite good. In fact, I read the Linux dual-booting guide. I'll be getting this.
Reply #29 from WinCustomize Forums Top
I tried the guide, but I can't seem to be able to get my system to boot from the disk, I get a

'Non-system disk or disk error,
please replace disk and try again'

Any suggestions? I IO.sys, command.com, part.exe and chkdsk.exe on disk.
Reply #30 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Win is taking up my whole disk, but there is plenty of free space


I am actually doing this so I can install Fedora Linux



If I understand you right, Windows is taking up your whole (probably "C") partition, and that you have unallocated, unformatted space left on your physical disk.

If that is the case, and you are wanting to use the unallocated space for a Linux partition, then most, if not all, of the popular Linux installs will detect the Windows partition, and ask if you want to install Linux to the unallocated space, or if you want it to over-write the Windows partition.
Obviously you will want to choose to install to the unallocated space on the drive.
Otherwise, I'd just bite the bullet and buy PartitionMagic. (or if you have a friend who has PartitionMagic, they could throw your HDD into their machine as a slave drive and partition it however you want)
Reply #31 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Creating a dual boot with windows and linux isn't hard.

First you have to install Windows, Create a partition big enough for the OS and files.

Second Install Linux in the unallocated area (while installing, you can create a partition just for Linux so you have extra space that isn't partition if you wanted to install another OS or just have Linux use all the free space). Linux will format it to what it needs.

You need to do it in this order so GRUB takes over in the MBR.

If you don't have enough room on your harddrive because windows was not a fresh install. Make sure you have at least half the harddrive with free space. You will want to close all apps, probably defrag the system, then resize the currenty windows partition smaller till you have enough unallocated area for the Linux enviroment.
Reply #32 from WinCustomize Forums Top
tjesterb sortof beat me to some of it.

I had to leave my computer for a little bit before I could send my message. I wasn't able to finish all that I wanted to type and send it before I left
Reply #33 from WinCustomize Forums Top
No, 1 partition is on my hard drive, and is using it all. Also, I have a question about this:

Will I lose that data?
No matter how many times I defrag that is still there.
Reply #34 from WinCustomize Forums Top
I tried the guide, but I can't seem to be able to get my system to boot from the disk, I get a

'Non-system disk or disk error,
please replace disk and try again'

Any suggestions? I IO.sys, command.com, part.exe and chkdsk.exe on disk.


Please help?
Reply #35 from WinCustomize Forums Top
After getting help on how to get Ranish to boot, should I just hack off 15 gigs from NTFS and then let Fedora do its thing?
Reply #36 from WinCustomize Forums Top
You won't lose it, the jist of the defrag is try to get everything as close as possible and inline. 15gigs should be fine for Fedora.
Reply #37 from WinCustomize Forums Top
I still need help on getting Ranish to boot.
Reply #38 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Hmm, I can't help you there. I never used it.
Reply #39 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Reply #40 from WinCustomize Forums Top
I came across this -> http://zeleps.com/

You're able to put it on a floppy and boot it up. Just follow the instructions. Plus read the FAQ too.
Reply #41 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Can check out this area too -> http://www.thefreecountry.com/utilities/partitioneditors.shtml
Reply #42 from WinCustomize Forums Top
came across this -> Link


It shows up as blank page.

Can check out this area too -> Link


Been there, done that.
Reply #43 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Maybe I should just get a secondary hard drive, such as a Maxtor 60 gig?
Reply #44 from WinCustomize Forums Top
I just can't see how you're having so many problems. I'm almost positive that you can just resize the partition in the Windows Disk Manager.Then install Linux in the unallocated partition. It shouldn't be harder then that.
Reply #45 from WinCustomize Forums Top
It's much harder when you want to keep data.
Reply #46 from WinCustomize Forums Top
If you can resize in WDM, then show me how. I've gone through menus and help files and knowlege bases to no avail.

Meowy thinks that getting a secondary hard drive would be easier.
Reply #47 from WinCustomize Forums Top
If you have the $ then go for it It would be easier, plus you will have plenty of space still. Just keep in mind to let GRUB take over the Windows boot when you do it.
Reply #48 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Getting a seondary hd saves $$$. I got zeleps.com to show up so I'll try to run that program before I try anything else.
Reply #49 from WinCustomize Forums Top
I have 5 HDs in my computer But only using 98 and XP on it. The rest is sorted for different type of programs or storage. Which I need to get around and back up my data on DVD. I need to come up with the $ so I can go and buy Norton Ghost. I also want to get the latest version of SystemWorks and the Firewall. I have older versions and my subscriptions expired, but I know a way to get alot of my latest definitions at least till I get the new versions.

I built a different computer out of spare parts as a Linux machine. It's going to become a local server. It has SuSe Pro 9.2. I like it. I also got RedHat from school, which I know more of since I had several classes on it.

As a warning also, if you do decide to put Linux on the same drive. If Linux or the file system screws up, you will most likely have to reformat the WHOLE drive. Or try to troubleshoot the Linux problems to get it to work again. We've ran into problems here and there since we have to usually install different OSs on our school drives depending on the class. Usually we have a Windows and a Linux. Sometimes, two types of Windows and Linux. Problems will most likey come up, just be prepared for them. The second Harddrive might be your best choice to save your windows.
Reply #50 from WinCustomize Forums Top
Yikes. Probably want to get secondary HD then....