How to Partition an SSD in Windows 11

AsSSDs (solid state drives)become more affordable, it’s not uncommon for desktop and laptop devices to come with lots of super-fast storage. However, using a high-capacity SSD in a single partition setup isn’t always practical, as it combines all data types. It’s often better to divide the drive into two or more volumes.

For instance, you can allocate a specific partition for the operating system, another for your documents, music, and movies (making recovery easier if the system partition gets corrupt), or even create a volume for an additional operating system.

This tutorial will show you how to partition or allocate space on an SSD inWindows 11using the native Disk Management and Settings apps.

Partition an SSD Using Disk Management in Windows 11

Disk Management is a built-in Windows tool that allows you to manage your disks and partitions without installing additional software. The user interface may appear dated (it’s been around since Windows 2000!), but it lets you visually “look” at your computer’s SSD and easily create, modify, and manage partitions.

Just right-click theStart buttonand selectDisk Managementto access the Disk Management tool in Windows 11. Alternatively, you can open theStart menu, search forDisk Management,or use thediskmgmt.mscRun command (pressWindows+R).

The Disk Management window provides a graphical representation of the drive. Besides the system partition (typically denoted by the letterC), you may see hidden partitions related to theEFI (Extensible Firmware Interface)andWindows Recovery. To prevent issues with startup and recovery, focus only on the larger system volume while creating a new partition.

Since the system partition encompasses the entire SSD, you must begin by acquiring disk space for the partition you’re about to create using a process called “shrinking.” Open Disk Management, and then:

Important: Since you’re shrinking the system partition, it’s best to keep at least 25GB of space for general Windows-related activities like updates, caching, and virtual memory management.

You can now create a partition out of the unallocated space. To do that:

You should find the new partition next to the system partition in Disk Management. You’ll also see the partition among the list of local disks in File Explorer, meaning it’s ready for use!

If you want to change the drive letter, right-click the partition in Disk Management and selectChange Drive Letter and Paths. To modify the label, chooseProperties.

If you didn’t partition all of the unallocated space, you can continue creating additional partitions by repeating the steps above.

If you decide to delete a partition in the future, you can use the Disk Management app for that as well. After deletion, you can add the resulting unallocated space to the preceding volume. To do that:

Important: Deleting a partition erases all of the data on it. Make sure to back up important files and folders to another volume or an external drive before proceeding.

Partition an SSD in Windows 11 Using Settings App

The Storage management screen within the Settings app on Windows 11 provides a modernized interface for an alternative approach to shrinking, creating, and deleting disk partitions.

You must begin by shrinking the system partition to free up space for the partition you want to create. To do that:

You can now create a new partition out of the unallocated space. Just:

The partition should now appear within the “Disks & volumes” screen. If you want to change the label and drive letter later, selectPropertiesnext to the partition and use theChange labelandChange drive letteroptions.

You always have the option to delete and merge the partition back to the volume that comes before it. Make sure totake a back up of your datafirst, and then:

Make Your Pick

Partitioning an SSD in Windows 11 is simple once you know what to do, and you have two built-in tools to choose from: the Disk Management tool and the Settings app. Each has its benefits. Disk Management provides comprehensive control and visual feedback during the partitioning process, while Settings presents a more contemporary interface for carrying out the task.

Dilum Senevirathne is a freelance tech writer and blogger with three years of experience writing for online technology publications. He specializes in topics related to iOS, iPadOS, macOS, and Google web apps. When he isn’t hammering away at his Magic Keyboard, you can catch him binge-watching productivity hacks on YouTube.Read Dilum’s Full Bio

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