What Are Disk Partitions?

The Windows 10 Setup program examines the hard disk to determine its existing configuration. Setup then allows you to install Windows 10  on an existing partition or to create a new partition on which to install 

A disk partition is a logical section of a hard disk on which the computer can write data. Partitions offer a way to divide the space on a single physical hard disk into multiple areas, each of which is treated as a different disk within Windows. Some people create separate partitions to help organize their files. For example, you might store the Windows system files and application files on one partition, user-created documents on another partition, and backup files on another partition.

Another reason to use multiple partitions is to isolate operating systems from one another when you install more than one operating system on a computer. Although it is technically possible to install some operating systems on the same partition,

Microsoft does not recommend or support this practice. You should always create a separate partition for each operating system.

Depending on the hard disk configuration, do one of the following procedures during installation:

  If the hard disk is not partitioned, create and size the Windows 10 partition. Unless you have a specific reason to create multiple partitions (such as for multiple operating systems or to have a separate partition for document storage), you should create one partition that uses all available drive space.

If an existing partition is large enough, install Windows 10 on that partition. Installing on an existing partition might overwrite any existing operating system files.

If the existing partition is not large enough, delete it and combine it with other partitions on the same physical disk to provide more unpartitioned disk space for creating the Windows10 partition.


NTFS The preferred file system for Windows XP,7 and 10, NTFS provides more security and fiexibility than FAT32. Microsoft recommends that you always use NTFS unless there is a specific reason to use another file system (such as When you are inbtalling more than one operating system on a computer and one of those operating systems does not recognize NTFS partitions).

Using NTFS Use NTFS when the partition on which Windows 10 will reside requires any of the following features:

Fileand folder-level security NTFS allows you to control access to files and folders.

Disk compression NTFS can compress files to store more data on the partition.
Disk quota NTFS allows you to control disk usage on a per-user basis.

 Encryption NTFS allows you to encrypt file data on the physical hard disk by using the Microsoft Encrypting File System (EFS).
The version of NTFS in Windows 10  supports remote storage, dynamic volumes, and mounting volumes to folders.

FAT and FAT32

FAT and FAT32 offer compatibility with other operating systems. -You must format the system partition with either FAT or FAT32 if you will dual boot Windows 10  another operating system that requires FAT  or FAT32.

FAT and FAT32 do not offer many of the features (for example, flle-level security) that NTFS supports. Therefore, in most situations, you should format the hard disk with NTFS. The only reason to use FAT or FAT32 is for dual booting with an older operating system that does not support NTFS. If you are setting up a computer for dual booting, you need to format the boot partition that contains the older version of Windows with FAT or FAT32. For example, if drive C is the boot partition that holds Windows 7, you could format drive C as FAT or FAT32. You should then format the boot partition that will hold Windows 10 as NTFS. Finally, for multiple booting to be successful, the system partition must be formatted using a file system that all installed operating systems can access. For example, if you are dual-booting between Windows 10 and Windows7, the system partition (as well as the boot partition on which Windows xp is installed) would have to be formatted with FAT.

Converting a FAT or FAT32 Volume to NTFS

Windows 10  provides the Convert command for convening a partition to NTFS without reformatting the partition and losing all the information on the partition. To use the Convert command, Click Start, click Run, type cmd in the Open text box, and then click OK. This opens a command prompt, which you use to request the Convert command. The following example shows how you might use switches with the Convert command.

Convert volume IFS:NTFS [/V] [/CvtArea:f11ename] [/NoSecurity] [IX]



Switch Function Required

Volume Specifies the drive letter (followed by a colon), volume Yes mount point, or volume name that you want to convert

/FS:NTFS Specifies converting the volume to NTFS Yes

[V Runs the Convert command in verbose mode No

/CvtArea:filename Specifies a contiguous file in the root directory to be the No placeholder for NTFS system files

/NoSecurity Sets the security settings to make converted files and No directories accessible by everyone /X Forces the volume to dismount first. if necessary, and all
No open handles to the volume are then not valid

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