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I got a 2nd disk (Samsung QVO 860 1TB) for extra space to complement my primary Windows 10 OS disk (Samsung EVO 850 256GB).

After initializing it in Windows Disk Management, should I create just a single Volume/Partition, or are there benefits of multiple ones even on a non-OS disk?

Edit: My question is about partition strategy for the second drive, not the Windows drive. I don't believe it relates to the linked possible duplicate that deals with the main Windows drive.

Hennes
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Josh D
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2 Answers2

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In general, a single partition will be the easiest to manage and provide the least wastage.

There are some corner cases where multiple partitions could be useful. The following spring to mind, but are probably not exhaustive -

  • Where you need to share information between OS's and the preferred partition formats for the OS are not compatible.
  • Where you want to use a block device for a specific purpose, eg encryption.
  • If your backup strategy calls for backing up the block device for any reason, and you are constrained by the size of backps.
  • If your primary partition is small and you want to mirror/raid it to the second drive.
  • If you plan on using virtualization and want to carve out disk space rather then a file for the VM.
  • If you think you may want to put an alternative OS on the second disk.
davidgo
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In addition to the reasons listed by davidgo, having multiple partitions will let you use up all the space in a filesystem without using all the space in the device.  In effect, it lets you set a quota on a process.  If you partition your device into filesystems G: and H:, then you can run a background process with output to a file on G: without worrying that it might cause you to run out of free space on H:.

G-Man Says 'Reinstate Monica'
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