How to Split C Drive in Windows 11/10/8/7🔥

Updated by

Roxanne 

Written by

Tracy King 

Updated on Apr 28, 2025

As the system drives in Windows, the C drive contains all the crucial operating system files that impact performance and stability. However, when you get a new computer, the C drive often takes up almost the entire hard disk space, leading to disorganized storage and affected efficiency. Thus, it is important to optimize the system and improve disk usage by dividing the C drive into partitions.

This article from EaseUS provides 2 straightforward methods to split C drive on Windows 11/10/8/7 so that you can store different types of data on distinct partitions.

1. 1. Split C Drive with Partition Software
2. 2. Split C Drive in via Disk Management

Split C Drive with Partition Software

You may have already known that there's a built-in Disk Management in Windows operating systems. However, it is a little bit complex for some beginners and may cause data loss. To do it more easily, you need third-party partition software.

With the help of EaseUS Partition Master, you can split the C drive easily. It can split the unused free space of the C drive into two automatically. You don't have to format the disk, which means no need to go through data loss or re-install the system and reallocate disk space. You are also allowed to manually adjust the space capacity of the partitions and adopt other features like changing the drive letter and partition type, setting cluster size, partition C drive in Windows 7 without formatting, etc.

After downloading the software, follow the detailed steps to solve your problem.

Step 1. Right-click on your targeted partition and click "Split Partition" from the Feature List.

Step 2. It will automatically split the remaining partition size of your selected partition. Please click "OK" to start splitting. 

Step 3. All the introduced changes to the disk layout will be pended until applied in Execute Task.

Step 4. After applying the changes, you successfully split the partition into two partitions.

Notes:

• EaseUS Partition Master supports split partition on basic disk only. It cannot split the dynamic volume.
• Only the non-hidden partition can be split.
• The unused space of the operating partitions should be more than 5% of the total partition space.

Besides splitting partitions, below are the other several features of EaseUS Partition Master that can help you modify and optimize the disk space:

• Create/Delete Partition: Creating new partitions for storing different kinds of data and files. Deleting unnecessary partitions to get more space for other partitions.
• Merge Partitions: Merging two partitions to combine their storage capacity into one single larger partition.
• Format/Wipe Partition: Formatting or wiping a partition protects your privacy by erasing all the data in it.
• Convert MBR to GPT: Converting partition style from MBR to GPT enables using larger than 2TB partition capacity.
• Resize/Move Partition: Resizing or moving a partition modifies its storage capacity or location without losing its data.

Now that you have learned how to separate a drive, it's time to look at how to create new partitions from unallocated space. Here is a worthy reading article for you to learn.

How to Create Partition from Unallocated Space

This passage will show you how to create a partition from unallocated space in Windows 10. You will get three methods, and you can choose according to your needs. Read more >>

Split C Drive in via Disk Management

There's a built-in tool in Windows OS called Disk Management that can help you divide the C drive into several partitions. This tool allows you to manage your disk in certain ways. But for separating the local disk with Disk Management, you can only shrink the C drive first. Then, create a new partition from unallocated space to get more partitions on your hard drive.

Follow the steps in the guide below:

Step 1. Open Disk Management by right-clicking the Start icon and selecting Disk Management.

Step 2. Right-click C drive and select Shrink Volume.

Step 3. Type in the amount of space to shrink from C drive and then click Shrink to get the unallocated space.

Step 4. Right-click the unallocated volume and click New Simple Volume.

Step 5. Type in the amount of space you want to allocate to this new volume and then format it to get a new partition.

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Why Do You Need to Split C Drive

To some beginners, it might be a little confusing about splitting C drive and the reasons why you should do it. Splitting partition refers to dividing a single large partition into several smaller partitions on a hard disk or SSD. It involves resizing the large partition into smaller desired sizes.

The rest of the space becomes unallocated, which can then be used to create new partitions. Some users might think that using C drive as the only one would save a lot of partition troubles. However, this is not how it works.

If you want to know why you should split the C drive first when purchasing a new PC, check the reasons below.

Conclusion

 It is essential to split C drive when you get a new computer. By learning the basics of partitioning and the various benefits of dividing the C drive into more partitions, we now understand its importance. If you don't do it, your computer will soon experience data chaos and severe damage to the operating system.

By splitting the C drive through EaseUS Partition Master, the potential of your computer can be maximized without losing data. Download the partition software now to save yourself a lot of trouble.

FAQs on Split C Drive

1. How many GB should I leave on C drive?

You should have at least 20 GB on your C drive as free space. This can make sure the C drive has enough space for the operating system, important data, and other programs you may have installed.

2. How do I split C drive into D and E in Windows 11?

Check out the guide here:

• Open Disk Management.
• Right-click C drive, then select "Shrink Volume".
• Type in the amount of space and click "next".
• Right-click on the unallocated space and select "new simple volume".
• Set partition size and add drive letter with D.
• Reserve enough unallocated space and repeat the previous step to create E.

3. Can I split my C drive?

You can't repartition the C drive until you first format it. However, the Windows operating system has a protective mechanism that prevents you from formatting or deleting the C drive with normal disk partitioning tools. You can only adjust the size of the C drive if you want to increase or shrink the partition on Windows systems.

4. How do I split my SSD C drive?

• Open Disk Management.
• Right-click C drive, then select "Shrink Volume".
• Type in the amount of space and click "next" to shrink the C drive.
• Right-click the unallocated space and select "new simple volume" on the target hard drive.
• Adjust the partition size, partition drive letter, file system, and more in the Advanced Settings.
• Click "OK".