What are partitions and logical drives?
A partition, sometimes also called a volume, is an area on a hard disk that can be formatted with a file system and identified with a letter of the alphabet. For example, drive C on most Windows computers is a partition.
In this version of Windows, when you use Disk Management, a Microsoft Management Console (MMC) snap-in, to create partitions on a basic disk, the first three partitions you create are primary partitions. These can be used to start an operating system. If you want to create more than three partitions, the fourth partition is created as an extended partition.
An extended partition is a way to get around a limit on the number of primary partitions a basic disk can have. An extended partition is a container that can hold one or more logical drives. Logical drives function like primary partitions except that they cannot be used to start an operating system.
A hard disk needs to be partitioned and formatted before you can store data on it. Many computers are partitioned as a single partition that equals the size of the hard disk. Partitioning a hard disk into several smaller partitions is not required, but it can be useful for organizing data on your hard disk. Some users prefer to have separate partitions for the Windows operating system files, programs, and personal data.
Snap-in
A tool or set of tools that can be added to the Microsoft Management Console (MMC) to help manage a computer.
Basic disk
A physical disk that can be accessed by MS‑DOS and all Windows-based operating systems. Basic disks can contain up to four primary partitions, or three primary partitions and an extended partition with multiple logical drives.
Partition
Part of a computer hard disk that functions like a separate disk. Separate, formatted partitions share your computer's memory and storage space. Partitions allow you to install more than one operating system on the computer.
Extended partition
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Extended partition
A type of partition on a basic disk that should be used if you want to create more than four volumes. Extended partitions can contain multiple logical drives that can be formatted and have drive letters assigned to them.
Volume
A storage area on a hard disk that is formatted with a file system. Volumes have drive letters assigned to them. A single hard disk can have multiple volumes. Some volumes can span multiple hard disks.
Microsoft Management Console (MMC)
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Microsoft Management Console (MMC)
A tool used by computer administrators to manage the hardware, software, and network components of Windows. Both Microsoft and other software vendors offer programs, called snap-ins, that run within MMC to manage specific areas of Windows.
Logical drive
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Logical drive
A volume created within an extended partition on a basic disk. A logical drive can be formatted and assigned a drive letter, but cannot host an operating system.
Help and How-to
