EaseUS Partition Master Free Edition 12.9

Overview

EaseUS Partition Master Home Edition 9.1 is a tiny, yet powerful hard drive partitioning application that has an extensive feature set. The program makes efficient use of available system resources to safely partition hard drives with minimal effect on performance.

Installation

Installation is hassle-free and is facilitated by a step-by-step wizard that guides you through the entire process. With a file size of only about 11 MB, the download finishes in a flash, and the system resource requirements are nominal. Virtually anyone with Windows 2000, XP, Vista, or 7 can install and run this application with ease.

Interface

The EaseUS Partition Master Home Edition 9.1 user interface is not very flashy. However, it is easy to navigate and the learning curve is minimal. The toolbar at the top is loaded with various task icons. The left navigational bar and the central pane appear to be similar to a classic Windows XP menu, and constantly display information pertaining to any hard drives that are attached to the computer. Partitioning a hard drive is quick and easy; simply right-click the hard drive you want to partition, and then select the “resize” feature from the context menu.

Pros

• All-inclusive partitioning solution that gives you complete control over disk space management and allocation.

• Interface is neatly organized into three main modules: Partition Recovery Wizard, Partition Manager, and Disk/Partition Copy

• Supports partition copying, which helps you conveniently backup/clone and transfer a specific partition

• Can help you solve the fabled “low disk space” problem that often affects GUID and MBR partition tables

• Comprehensive properties module can be accessed via the right-click context menu to obtain advanced information about the selected hard drive

• Includes a useful disk map that supports drag and drop functionality, simplifying advanced partitioning and disk space allocation tasks

• No reboot is required to extend an NFTS partition, so unnecessary downtime is minimized

• Lets you automatically increase the partition size of your system partition with a single click of the mouse.

Cons

• Main window may hide itself behind other applications after completing a task. This is a minor problem though, as you can simply minimize other windows or use the Switch Windows feature in Windows to bring the program back to the forefront of the operating system.

Alternatives

The most notable alternatives to this software are Partition Wizard and Partition Magic. The main difference between EaseUS Partition Master Home Edition 9.1 and the aforementioned competitors is the difficulty level for novice users. EPM is easier to use, has a larger user following, and is updated more regularly than other free, open-source partition managers.

Conclusion

If you're intimidated by the process of partitioning your hard drive because you lack experience and are afraid of doing it wrong, EaseUS Partition Master Home Edition 9.1 can streamline the process for you with a user-friendly interface and a plethora of self-explanatory features.