What is the Best Partitioning Tool/Manager

Discussion in 'backup, imaging & disk mgmt' started by Paragon, Jul 7, 2015.

  1. Paragon

    Paragon Registered Member

    Joined:
    Sep 28, 2003
    Posts:
    70
    Location:
    USA
    Hello All, I'd like to know in your opinion what is the best partitioning tool/manager out there free or paid. Over the years I've tried several of the freebies for simple tasks worked. Now I looking for one app that can perform well in all of the aspects of partition(s) management. Thanks in advance!
     
  2. Mr.X

    Mr.X Registered Member

    Joined:
    Aug 10, 2013
    Posts:
    4,793
    Location:
    .
  3. zapjb

    zapjb Registered Member

    Joined:
    Nov 15, 2005
    Posts:
    5,554
    Location:
    USA still the best. But barely.
    GParted for me.
     
  4. Robin A.

    Robin A. Registered Member

    Joined:
    Feb 25, 2006
    Posts:
    2,557
    I prefer the tool box approach, the best depends on the operation you want to perform. Sometimes it is the Windows disk manager or DiskPart. Minitool Partition Wizard is good and can be run from a boot medium.

    And sometimes the fastest and most reliable way for me is to combine the partition manager with an image manager (for example, to move a partition). Paragon Hard Disk Manager combines both tools.
     
  5. Brian K

    Brian K Imaging Specialist

    Joined:
    Jan 28, 2005
    Posts:
    12,113
    Location:
    NSW, Australia
  6. Paragon

    Paragon Registered Member

    Joined:
    Sep 28, 2003
    Posts:
    70
    Location:
    USA
    I have been looking at the professional version of MiniTool Partition Managerr, it looks very robust. I was hoping for real life experience with this and other similar tools. Like Robin A I prefer the tool box approach.
     
  7. Nebulus

    Nebulus Registered Member

    Joined:
    Jan 20, 2007
    Posts:
    1,635
    Location:
    European Union
    Paragon Partition Manager 2014 Free in Windows and GParted in Linux.
     
  8. Infected

    Infected Registered Member

    Joined:
    Feb 9, 2015
    Posts:
    1,134
    MiniTool is good, just got done partitioning my HD, so I can dual boot. The only problem I had was, Chrome lost it's extensions and settings. Not sure why. But that can be fixed easily.
     
  9. oliverjia

    oliverjia Registered Member

    Joined:
    Jul 21, 2005
    Posts:
    1,926
    All other tools I tried are lame as compared to Terabyte Bootit Bare Metal. I once deleted all 4 GPT partitions on a UEFI/Secure boot OS disk (Recovery, MSR, EFI and C:\), then used many partition managers to recovery the lost partitions. Tested programs included MiniTool, Paragon, AOMEI, EASEUS PM, bibm, Acronis DD, GParted. All tools except BIBM could not recovery any of the 4 partitions. They took forever to recovery a series of tiny partitions (100-300MB) that had never been existed. Only BIBM restored all 4 deleted partitions in ~10 seconds.
    In normal partition operations, BIBM also prompted me to correct some tiny partitioning errors (could not remember exactly what was the error message) that other tools had never identified.

    BIBM is the one to go for if you want the most robust. Paragon could be a good general purpose Partition manager, but BIBM will save our asses at the end of the day.
     
  10. pajenn

    pajenn Registered Member

    Joined:
    Oct 26, 2009
    Posts:
    930
    +1 for MiniTool because it's small and simple, but does all the same things other partition managers I've used do, and I like the interface - similar to the good old PowerQuest PartitionMagic. I think there's also a boot disk (iso) for it, but I don't recall ever having needed it. (In the past I've also used Norton PartitionMagic, Acronis Disk Director, and I've tried some others).
     
  11. ArchiveX

    ArchiveX Registered Member

    Joined:
    Apr 7, 2014
    Posts:
    1,501
    Location:
    .
    MiniTool :thumb:
     
  12. roger_m

    roger_m Registered Member

    Joined:
    Jan 25, 2009
    Posts:
    8,627
    MiniTool Partition Wizard Free Edition, AOMEI Partition Assistant Standard and EaseUS Partition Master are all very good, and also free.

    The paid versions of Partition Master and Partition Assisant are often available as giveaways (but the free versions are very good too). Check Giveaway Radar.

    Out of the three softwares, I don't have any particular preference, as they all work well. I'm currently using Partition Assisant due to getting the full version as a giveaway.
     
  13. Paragon

    Paragon Registered Member

    Joined:
    Sep 28, 2003
    Posts:
    70
    Location:
    USA
    Thanks Oliverjia,

    I'm sure you're 100% accurate about saving our asses which is an extreme motivator for me. I think the only thing that unnerves me is the learning curve. I see they have video tutorials, but do the have a complete manual?
     
  14. Brian K

    Brian K Imaging Specialist

    Joined:
    Jan 28, 2005
    Posts:
    12,113
    Location:
    NSW, Australia
    A 95 page manual.
     
  15. The Seeker

    The Seeker Registered Member

    Joined:
    Oct 24, 2005
    Posts:
    1,338
    Location:
    Adelaide
    BootIt BM - every time. It has never, ever failed for me in almost four years of usage.
     
  16. Paragon

    Paragon Registered Member

    Joined:
    Sep 28, 2003
    Posts:
    70
    Location:
    USA
    I'm trying to change my approach completely. Some of you may have read or posted in the Macrium thread thread that I posted. While not directly related to this thread this forum has given me a lot of new ideas for the way I do things. I did a complete rebuild of Windows 7 Pro and placed it and my apps and program in a sole partition of their own. I moved all my data to another partition. I want to use Macrium to image the OS partition and something like bvckup 2 or one of the synch programs to backup data. I want a good, fairly robust partition manger to change partitions for optimal use.

    I am a DB System administrator for a 4,000 user health care system but must admit this area of discussion is one of my weakest knowledge wise. I have a Linux Admin that handles most of the partition magic. I'm trying to start with one of my home devices and learn the right way to do things from the expertise this forum has to offer.
     
  17. Brian K

    Brian K Imaging Specialist

    Joined:
    Jan 28, 2005
    Posts:
    12,113
    Location:
    NSW, Australia
  18. Paragon

    Paragon Registered Member

    Joined:
    Sep 28, 2003
    Posts:
    70
    Location:
    USA
    Brian,

    Thanks! I have been diligently reading the thread you reference along with the Terabyte site. I agree that this likely the best product available just a bit overwhelming, but also a good learning opportunity.
     
  19. Brian K

    Brian K Imaging Specialist

    Joined:
    Jan 28, 2005
    Posts:
    12,113
    Location:
    NSW, Australia
    Paragon,

    I agree BIBM is overwhelming. It took a few months before the concepts clicked for me.
     
  20. Mr.X

    Mr.X Registered Member

    Joined:
    Aug 10, 2013
    Posts:
    4,793
    Location:
    .
    So, do you think is a good idea to open a dedicated thread to BIBM?
    I wish to learn from experts like you.
    TIA
     
  21. Brian K

    Brian K Imaging Specialist

    Joined:
    Jan 28, 2005
    Posts:
    12,113
    Location:
    NSW, Australia
    Just ask your questions in Snoop3's thread. That's a good place to keep everything together. BIBM is very powerful and difficult to use initially for multi-booting. Partitioning is not so difficult. Once you click with the "TeraByte language" it is really easy.
     
  22. Mr.X

    Mr.X Registered Member

    Joined:
    Aug 10, 2013
    Posts:
    4,793
    Location:
    .
    Ok, thank you.
     
  23. Snoop3

    Snoop3 Registered Member

    Joined:
    Jan 2, 2011
    Posts:
    474
    this is good to hear. i bought a combo pkg and looks like BiBM license is good for 3 computers if i read that right, so i figure about ~$17 per is not too bad.
    i wish they had a better help file within the program though, its kind of limited.
     
  24. TheRollbackFrog

    TheRollbackFrog Imaging Specialist

    Joined:
    Mar 1, 2011
    Posts:
    4,944
    Location:
    The Pond - USA
    Brian_K is the best on-line HELP FILE there is when it comes to all the Terabyte products :thumb:
     
  25. Longboard

    Longboard Registered Member

    Joined:
    Oct 2, 2004
    Posts:
    3,238
    Location:
    Sydney, Australia
    Terabyte for sure ....
    Amen to that.
     
  1. This site uses cookies to help personalise content, tailor your experience and to keep you logged in if you register.
    By continuing to use this site, you are consenting to our use of cookies.