FDISK is a Windows utility for partitioning a hard disk drive in preparation to hold data. Partitioning is useful for naming different areas for different uses. For example separating the operating system and data. Typically most computer hard drives have a single partition, the logical C drive. FDISK can also be used for setting up a dual boot system such as Windows in one partition and Linux in another. Disk partitioning is also common on LAN servers where different sets of users share files and applications. But does partitioning safeguard your information against data loss?

Whilst we advocate keeping your data backed up to a second physical hard disk drive, sometimes this is not practical. There is a common myth that partitioning will help against malware. A virus can easily interrogate all the partitions, whilst it cannot propagate across two physical drives. Nevertheless, partitioning can help you organise your data. Partitioning is a simple process, but before you attempt this, make sure you have a full backup of your data. FDISK will format the hard drive and this will delete any existing data.

The advantages of partitioning include increased speed, security, organisation and backup. By moving less frequently used data to a separate partition, you will notice speed improvements. Encryption can be applied to single partitions containing sensitive data to ensure optimum security. Although you may think that separate partitions look like separate drives, they are not and if the hard drive fails, it will take all the partitions with it! Hence unless you have a specific reason for partitioning, it is not advisable.

Does partitioning help in the parition recovery process? Well it might help you if you are attempting data recovery yourself, but for a data recovery company it only complicates the process. If a partition becomes corrupted there are many free data recovery utilities that can help. However, if you are structuring partitions very differently with multiple operating systems or differing levels of encryption, this will make data recovery much more difficult.