The Basic Input/Output System (BIOS) manages the flow of information between the Operating System and hardware, but it doesn't support disk partitions. However, you can create partitions on your Solid-State Drive (SSD) using alternative methods that don't require booting the Windows OS. Two effective solutions are available, which will be introduced by Qiling, and a comparison table will provide more information on these options.
| 🆚Comparison | 🥇Qiling Disk Master | 🥈BIOS |
|---|---|---|
| ⏰Duration | 10 Minutes | 15 Minutes |
| 🔒Difficulty | Simple | Complicated |
| 😀Pros |
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| 🤢Cons |
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| 👩💻Suitable Users | All users: including beginners | Experienced users |
Keep reading and find out how to perform the two methods on Windows computers.
You can create partitions on your SSD before booting the Windows system using Windows bootable media. Since Windows doesn't offer a built-in tool to create bootable media, we recommend using Qiling Disk Master, an efficient partition manager that can create bootable media and partition hard drives.
With its "Bootable Media" feature, you can easily create a Windows bootable media, then partition your SSD smoothly using its "Create" feature. To partition your SSD from BIOS, install the Qiling Disk Master and follow the step-by-step instructions provided.
Step 1. To create a bootable disk of Qiling Disk Master, prepare a storage media such as a USB drive, flash drive, or CD/DVD disc, and connect it to your computer.
Step 2. Launch Qiling Disk Master, and find the "Bootable Media" feature on the left. Click on it.
Step 3. To start the process, select the type of storage media you prefer, either a USB or CD/DVD, when the drive is available. If not, you can save the ISO file to a local drive and burn it later. Once you've made your choice, click the "Create" button to begin the process.
Step 4. When the process finishes, a pop-up window will appear, asking if you want to restart your computer from the bootable USB.
Note: To use the bootable disk on a new PC, restart the target computer and press F2/F8/Del key to enter BIOS, then set the USB bootable disk as the first boot disk.
Your computer will automatically boot up from the USB bootable media and enter Qiling WinPE desktop after a short wait.
Step 1. Launch Qiling Disk Master to check for free space at the Partition Manager section.
Step 2. Shrink a disk partition to create unallocated space.
Right-To resize the target drive partition, click on it with a lot of free space and select the "Resize/Move" option.
To free up space, drag either end of the partition leftwards or rightwards to reduce its size, allowing for more unallocated space. This adjustment can be monitored in the "Partition size" area, giving a clear visual of the space reduction.
Click "Proceed" to save all the changes.
Go back to Partition Manager, there should be unallocated space appearing on the same disk, allowing you to create a new partition on your hard drive.
Step 3. Create a new partition with unallocated space on the target hard drive.
Right-click on the unallocated space and choose "Create".
In the advanced settings, you can customize various aspects of a partition, including its size, drive letter, label, and file system type (such as NTFS, FAT32, EXT2/3/4, or exFAT), among other options.
To create multiple partitions on a hard drive, first, open the Disk Management tool. Then, select the hard drive you want to partition and click "New" to create a new partition. Choose the unallocated space on the disk and click "Next.
Qiling Disk Master not only enables you to create WinPE bootable media and partition your SSD, but also empowers you to perform various operations on your disk and partition without risking data loss.
If you're interested in a tool that offers features like [list features], then you might want to give it a try. You can download it and see how it works for yourself.
To create a Windows 10 bootable USB drive, you can download the Windows Media Creation Tool and use command lines to partition your SSD, but this method may be challenging for non-professional users. Alternatively, you can use the Windows 10 built-in feature to create a bootable USB drive from the Settings app, which is a more straightforward and user-friendly approach. To do this, go to Settings > Update & Security > Recovery, and click on "Add a drive" to select the USB drive you want to use, then follow the prompts to create the bootable USB drive. This method is recommended for most users.
Step 1. Download and launch Media Creation Tool from Microsoft.
Step 2. Select "Create installation media" and hit "Next." Choose "USB flash drive" as the media in the next window and click "Next."
Step 1. Plug the bootable USB into your computer. Restart the PC and press F2/F8/Del key to enter BIOS settings.
Step 2. Navigate to the "Change Boot Order" and set the bootable USB as the boot device, then hit "F10" to save the change.
Step 3. After Windows Setup is launched, you can choose an appropriate language in "Language to install."
Step 4. To enter the command prompt, click on "Repair your computer" at the bottom and then choose "Command Prompt" under the "Troubleshoot" option.
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Step 1. Type diskpart to launch the CMD, input the below command, and hit "Enter" after each:
Step 2. Enter exit to close diskpart and reboot your computer.
To partition an SSD from BIOS, users cannot directly create partitions within the BIOS settings, but can access the SSD using a Windows bootable media. This allows users to create partitions on the SSD, and two methods for creating bootable media and partitioning the SSD have been tested, including Qiling Disk Master and Windows built-in tools.
Qiling Disk Master is a fantastic software with a user-friendly interface and reliable solutions for partitioning SSD and managing disk partitions, offering a range of features and capabilities that can be explored in more detail through the articles below.
Do you still have additional questions about how to partition SSD from BIOS? This part includes what you may look for. The following frequently asked questions are shown along with their responses:
1. How to see my SSD from BIOS?
To confirm if your Solid-State Drives (SSDs) show up in the BIOS, you can verify the boot order by following these steps: Check your computer's BIOS settings, usually by pressing F2, F12, or Del keys during boot-up. In the BIOS settings, navigate to the Boot Order or Boot Priority section. Look for your SSDs in the list, and ensure they are set to boot first.
Step 1. To access the BIOS settings, boot up your computer and press one of the following keys: F1, F2, F10, F11, or F12, depending on your computer's manufacturer and model. This will open the BIOS settings menu, where you can make changes to your computer's boot order, configure hardware settings, and more.
Step 2. To switch to the "Startup" option, press the right arrow key on your keyboard, and then press the "Enter" key on the "Boot" option.
Step 3. In this window, you can see the devices that can boot, and your SSD should be shown here.
2. How can I split my SSD into partitions?
To partition a new SSD, try using Qiling Disk Master, which can do so in just three steps. The tool's "New Disk Guide" feature allows you to create multiple partitions at once, making it a convenient option for organizing your new SSD. You can use Qiling Disk Master to create a partition plan and then easily implement it, making it a great choice for those looking to get the most out of their new SSD.
3. How can I partition my SSD using CMD?
To create a logical partition on your SSD using command lines, you can use the `parted` command. Here's a basic example:
Step 1. Enter the Command Prompt by pressing "Windows + X,"
Step 2. Input the following command lines individually:
Step 3. Enter exit to close Diskpart when the process is finished.