If you connected headphones to your Windows 10 computer to listen to audio but when you check it in the playback devices, you’re not able to find it, read on as this post will guide you in what you can do to figure out what exactly caused this kind of problem and how you can resolve it.
This kind of issue could simply be with the headphone itself or the headphone port or your operating system. So if it turns out that the problem is with the hardware, you might have to replace the components. However, it is recommended that you troubleshoot the problem first before doing that. The most basic thing you can do is to try changing the headphone port, although this can be quite difficult since most computers don’t have any extra port for headphones if your computer has one, then give it a go. If it still didn’t work, follow each one of the options provided below.
Option 1 – Try to run the Playing Audio troubleshooter
Since the Windows 10 operating system has the Playing Audio Troubleshooter, you can use this troubleshooter to try and fix the problem with the “No Audio Output Device is installed” error. You can access this tool in the Control Panel or in the Taskbar Search and even on the Troubleshooters page of Windows 10.
Run this troubleshooter and see if it can fix the issue or not.
Option 2 – Try to update the Audio driver
If the error has something to do with software, chances are it might be related to the audio driver – it could be that the newest version of your Windows 10 does not work well with the old version of the driver. This is why you have to update your audio driver to the newest available version.
Tap the Win + R keys to open the Run dialog box and then type in MSC and tap Enter or click OK to open the Device Manager.
Expand the section of the Audio inputs and outputs.
And then from the drop-down menu, select the Update Driver option and follow the on-screen instructions to install the latest version of the driver.
Then also click on the option, “Search automatically for updated driver software.
Restart your PC after the installation.
Note: If updating the Audio driver didn’t work, you can go to the website of your PC manufacturer and look for the support section where you can download the drivers for your computer. You just need to take note of your PC’s correct model and model number so you can find the appropriate driver.
Option 3 – Try enabling the headphones from the playback devices
Tap the Win + R keys to open the Run dialog box and type the “CPL” command.
Tap Enter to open the Playback devices.
Next, right-click on any open space section and check the boxes for the “Show Disconnected Devices” and “Show Disabled Devices” options.
After that, this should help in displaying the headphones in the section of Playback devices.
And if they are disabled, you can just right-click them to have them enabled.
If you would like your computer to be discoverable on your network and use print and file sharing you will have to change your network profile on your computer from public to private.
Follow the provided guide step by step to change your network profile setting:
Switch to private profile in Windows 10
Locate the Wi-Fi icon in your system tray and click on it. Click on properties on your WI-FI network to open the network menu. Inside the menu in the Network profile section enable the Private option.
Your changes will be automatically saved.
Switch profile to private in Windows 11
Find the WI-FI icon in the system tray and right-click on it, then choose Network and Internet Settings. Network & Internet page with open, find your network name at the top and select properties.
On the WI-FI page, in the Network Profile Type section choose Private. As in Windows 10, your changes will be automatically charged, and you can start using them immediately.
Another way around
If you want to switch back to a public profile follow provided steps but disable the private option.
0x800ccc79 error is an error message that you may come across when sending emails through Outlook Express from Microsoft. This error message is accompanied by a notification that is displayed as ‘email was not delivered’ or ‘the server doesn’t support SSL connection’.
Solution
Download Available to Recover all Lost Outlook data
Error Causes
This error code 0x900ccc79 is triggered due to the following causes:
Problems related to email servers
Changes in the configuration settings
Corrupted Windows Registry
Further Information and Manual Repair
When you receive the error 0x800ccc79 it may hamper your ability to send emails. Therefore it is advisable to fix it to ensure your emails are sent and received without any difficulty.
This Outlook error 0x800ccc79 is quite easy to repair. By following the quick fix 0x800ccc79 error code solutions given below you can resolve this error in just a couple of minutes.
Here’s what you need to do to fix this error right away:
Cause: Configuration issues
Solution: If the error occurs due to Outlook Express being configured to use the SSL protocol while sending and receiving emails via the web, then to resolve it, you need to allow Outlook Express to bypass the Secure Socket Layer settings.
To do so, click on ‘tools’ and then on ‘Accounts’. Now select the email account that you want to modify.
Now select the ‘Properties’ tab and then click on ‘Advanced Settings’.
Here search for the following text message ‘This server requires a secure connection’. Once you locate it, uncheck all the checkboxes given next to this option. After that save the changes and restart Outlook Express to see bring the changes into effect.
Cause: Missing or Corrupt Registry Entries
Solution: If the error 0x800ccc79 occurs due to missing or corrupt registry entries, then the best way to fix this error is to download and install a good registry cleaner on your PC.
The registry cleaner will help you clean your corrupt and damaged Windows registry entries and get rid of this error right away. It is suggested you download the registry cleaner tool from a reliable website to avoid any malware or virus downloads simultaneously.
Once you download the registry cleaner on your system, click on scan. The cleaner will scan your computer completely for registry errors and show you the results in a list form.
After the scanning is complete, click on repair to fix the errors.
So, next time, if you or anyone at your office comes across the Outlook Express error 0x800ccc79, you can try these solutions and fix the error immediately without waiting for the network personnel to come and resolve it.
Recently, a number of users reported that their Google Chrome browser does not remember any accounts, login sessions, as well as passwords. So if you are one of the users who experience the same problem, then you’ve come to the right place as this post will guide you on what you can do your Chrome browser does not save passwords, remember accounts and login sessions in Windows 10.
This issue in Chrome could be caused by a lot of factors. It is possible that there is a setting in Chrome that prevents the browser from saving any data. It is also possible that the Google Chrome profile or the Cache folder for Chrome has become corrupted. Moreover, a third-party antivirus program could also be blocking the browser’s functionality in saving data. Whatever the cause is here are some suggestions you could follow that will help you fix the problem but before you do that, you can try to update your Chrome browser to its latest version first. If it didn’t work, then proceed to the given options below.
Option 1 – Try to clear browser cache
Open your Google Chrome browser.
After that, tap the Ctrl + H keys. Doing so will open a new panel that allows you to delete the browsing history and other data in your browser.
Now select every checkbox that you see and click on the Clear data button.
Then restart your Chrome browser and check if you can now complete the download again.
Option 2 – Try to delete the cache files for Google Chrome
The next thing you can do is to delete Chrome’s cache files or its store information which helps it in loading cached webpages faster when you pull them up. However, if it turns out that the cache files are corrupted, then it’s no wonder why Chrome is unable to save passwords. To fix this, you can try to delete the cache files for Google Chrome webpages and you can do it by following these steps:
First, open Google Chrome.
Next, open this address in Chrome – chrome://settings/clearBrowserData
After that, go to the Advanced tab and select all time as well as the first four options.
Now click on the Clear data option and then restart the Chrome browser once the cache has been cleared.
Option 3 – Try allowing Google Chrome to keep local data
If the option to keep local data is disabled in Google Chrome’s settings, it won’t be able to store local data in the browser. Thus, you need to enable it by following these steps:
Open Chrome and enter this address – chrome://settings/clearBrowserData
After that, drag the toggle button off for the “Keep local data only until you quit your browser” option.
Once done, restart Google Chrome and check it fixed the problem or not.
Option 4 – Try to enable the setting that offers to save password
As you know, a lot of websites offers users a choice to save a password and you can also do the same with the Chrome browser. You just have to enable this particular setting by going to the address, chrome://settings/passwords. From there, drag the toggle button for the setting Offer to save passwords, off.
Option 5 – Try to create a new profile for Chrome
If your user profile in Google Chrome ends up getting corrupted, it is most likely the reason why Chrome is unable to save passwords. Thus, you need to create a new user profile. How? Follow the steps below.
First, click on the account icon located at the top-right corner of the profile.
Next, go to the Manage People section and select Add Person > Add.
After that, enter the details to add the new account and then restart Chrome.
Option 6 – Reset Chrome
Resetting Chrome can also help you fix the problem. This means that you will be restoring its default settings, disabling all the extensions, add-ons and themes. Aside from that, the content settings will be reset as well and the cookies, cache, and site data will also be deleted. To reset Chrome, here’s what you have to do:
Open Google Chrome, then tap the Alt + F keys.
After that, click on Settings.
Next, scroll down until you see the Advanced option, once you see it, click on it.
After clicking the Advanced option, go to the “Restore and clean up option and click on the “Restore settings to their original defaults” option to reset Google Chrome.
Now restart Google Chrome.
Option 7 – Try to clean reinstall Chrome
There are instances when programs leave files behind after you’ve uninstalled them and the same thing can happen to Chrome so before you reinstall Chrome, you have to make sure that you have deleted the User Data folder. To do so, refer to the following steps:
Hit the Win + R keys to open the Run dialog box.
Next, type “%LOCALAPPDATA%GoogleChromeUser Data” in the field and hit Enter to open the User Data folder.
From there, rename the default folder and name it something else, e.g. “Default.old”.
After that, install Google Chrome again and check if the issue is now fixed.
The element of system restore is vital in the Windows operating system, and on occasions, it might be a genuine lifesaver. If for some reason you discover that the System Restore is not correctly functioning in Win7 or Windows 8 operating system:
The points of system restore are not be being produced by hand or mechanically,
You are unable to create by hand the restore points
The system restore fails, and you're incapable of restoring your personal computer,
The subsequent are a few tricks that could allow you to solve this issue.
Solution
Error Causes
There are lots of variables that will trigger this malfunction in your Personal Computer. The remedy to the issue will depend on its cause. You ought to attempt the next actions in no sequence.
Further Information and Manual Repair
Physically, strive to make Program Restore points. Subsequently, pay attention to the Error Messages(s) you receive. If none, check to see whether a restore point has been created.
Eliminate the protection applications or anti-virus and then try creating a restore point.
Startup the Computer in Safe-Mode. Oftentimes, non-Ms drivers or providers may restrict the smooth working for System Restore. The other viable choice, try a clean boot and see whether system restore is back to normal.
Run file checker. Quite simply, operate the sfc /scannow from the superuser command line. When the program record test is complete, restart your computer and assess whether system restore is operational.
Run disk check as the administrator. Type chkdsk /f /r and subsequently push Enter. Allow this procedure to finish before attempting a system restore.
Ensure the System Restore function is allowed in the drivers where you need this function allowed. For System Restore point to be saved, you must have free space of around 300 MB on each one of the devices which have the Program Safety perform turned-on.
Ensure that there's adequate space on the drivers where System Restore performs is allowed.
In the search box inside the Start Button, type "Services.msc" (with no quotes) and then push Enter. Ensure that at this time around Process Scheduler Service and the " Volume Shadow Copy " are correctly working, and are set on Automated mode. Make certain you start the System Restore service if it's not set place to automatic mode. Remember that you'll have to restart the computer in this process. Do this and subsequently try again, in case the system needs a reboot.
In the search box, type eventvwr.msc /s subsequently push enter to open the Event Viewer. Double-click on the applications and Services Logs, then assess if you can determine the cause of the error.
Could your network administrator have turned off the System Restore? Contact them. Ask them to re-activate system restore for your computer if they have switched it off.
Brave browser has gained popularity very rapidly and many websites have gone into the territory of recommending it. Sadly although the browser kind of offered better performance, it seems that so much advertised privacy and security was a lie.
Several months ago, Brave was involved in a “scandal”. Unfortunately, this incident did not get much media attention, and it’s hard to search for and discover as of today.
There is an article on the Android police website explaining this issue in detail, you can check it here: https://www.androidpolice.com/2020/06/07/brave-browser-caught-adding-its-own-referral-codes-to-some-cryptcurrency-trading-sites/
But to sum things up and keep them short if you do not want to go through the full article, Brave had been injecting their affiliate codes into popular crypto-currency websites. This means that they had been intercepting your traffic, which they promised was secure by the way, and modifying it.
This means Brave Software has access to all of your information on those crypto-currency sites as well. They can see your payments/purchases, and your activity on the websites (through affiliate statistics).
Now some people might point out that they are not interested in crypto or have been visiting some of the sites but the issue still remains and that is they did all of this, without telling the user. They intentionally didn’t tell the user because they knew it would cause backlash and disruption. They knew one hundred percent what they were doing, and they knew it was unethical.
And the point remains if something like this was already done, who knows what will come up in the future. Personal recommendation is to avoid Brave and go back to other browsers.
As you know, Windows allows you to share files between systems that are on the same network even though they are not connected physically. All you have to do is to make sure that the folder administrator allows access to the intended use and that your computer should be connected to the internet. Once you meet these conditions, you can share files between systems. However, recently a number of users reported that despite fulfilling these conditions, they end up getting errors instead when they try to access the shared drive. The error states:
“Error code: 0x80070035. The network path was not found.”
One of the common causes of this error is the antivirus program or the Firewall installed on your computer. It could also be that the drive is not shared in the first place or there are some issues with your network drivers. Whichever the case is, here are some potential fixes you need to check out to fix the Error code: 0x80070035.
Option 1 – Try to temporarily disable anti-virus and Windows Defender Firewall
As mentioned, the error could be due to the antivirus program or the Windows Defender Firewall installed on your computer. Thus, disabling them or any security software installed in your computer is always a good idea you can try when you’re not able to access the shared drive on your computer. There are times when you encounter problems like Error code: 0x80070035 due to interference of antivirus or security programs. Thus, you have to disable both your antivirus program and Windows Defender Firewall for the meantime and check if it fixes the error or not.
Option 2 – Check if the drive is shared
Before you further troubleshoot the problem, make sure that the drive you are trying to access is shared first. To do so, follow these steps:
Right-click on the folder and select Properties.
Go to the Sharing tab and check the status of the Network File and Folder Sharing.
And if the status is “Not Shared”, you need to select Share.
Next, select the intended Network User for sharing the file and choose the permission level for the user.
After that, click on the Apply and OK buttons to save the changes made. You or the intended user should now be able to access the shared folder or file.
Option 3 – Try to ping the IP address of the targeted computer
Even though the shared folder or file is shared correctly, it is possible that the network channel is not connected properly which is why you have to test it by pinging the IP address of the targeted computer from the primary computer.
Tap the Win + R keys to launch the Run dialog box.
Type “cmd” in the field and tap Enter to open Command Prompt.
Next, type the “ipconfig/all” command and tap Enter to execute it. This will populate various details.
From the given details, take note of the IPv4 address.
Afterward, open Command Prompt on the primary computer and then type the “ping <IPv4 address of the target computer>” command and hit Enter.
Now check if you get 4 confirmation replies or not. If not, you can try to access the Network Adapter Troubleshooter.
To run the Network Troubleshooter, refer to these steps:
Open the Search bar on your computer and type in “troubleshoot” to open the Troubleshoot settings.
Next, scroll down and select the “Network Adapter” option from the right pane.
Then click on the Run Troubleshooter” button.
After that, your computer will check for any possible errors and will pinpoint the root cause of the problem if possible.
Restart your computer.
Option 4 – Verify if Network Discovery is enabled
All you have to do is go to Start > Settings > Network & Internet and from there, click on the “Change connection properties” option and shift the radio button for Network profile to Private. After that, check if folder sharing is now working.
Option 5 – Try to modify the Network Security settings
There are times when the Network Security settings interfere with the folder or file sharing process. And if that’s the case, you can modify it to resolve the problem. How? Refer to these steps:
Tap the Win + R keys to open the Run dialog box.
Then type “secpol.msc” in the field and tap Enter to open the Local Security Policy manager window.
After that, go to Local Policies > Security Options located on the left pane.
Next, double click on Network security: LAN Manager authentication level in the right pane to open its Properties.
And then select the “Send LM & NTLM-use NTLMv2 session security if negotiated” option from the drop-down menu.
Now click on Apply and OK buttons to save the changes made.
Reboot your computer.
Option 6 – Try to enable NetBIOS over TCP/IP
Tap the Win + R keys to open the Run dialog box.
Then type “ncpa.cpl” in the field and tap Enter to open the Network Connections window.
After that, right-click on your network and select Properties.
Next, double click on Internet Protocol Version 4 and click on the Advanced button.
From there, go to the WINS tab and shift the radio button to Enable NetBIOS over TCP/IP.
Now click OK to save the changes made and then restart your computer.
Option 7 – Update the Network Adapter drivers
You might also want to update the Network Adapter drivers by following these steps:
Tap the Win + R keys to launch the Run window and then type in the “MSC” command and hit Enter to open the Device Manager window.
Under the Device Manager, you will see a list of drivers. From there, look for the Network Adapters and expand it.
Then right-click on each one of the Network drivers and update them all.
Restart your PC and see if it helped in fixing the BSOD error.
Note: If updating the network drivers didn’t help in fixing Error code: 0x80070035, you can also try to uninstall the very same drivers and restart your Windows 10 PC. After that, the system itself will reinstall the drivers you just uninstalled. Alternatively, you can also download and install the drivers from the manufacturer’s website directly.
To reinstall the network adapter driver, refer to these steps:
Open the Devices Manager from the Win X Menu.
Then locate the device drivers and right-click on them to open the Properties.
After that, switch to the Driver tab and click on the Uninstall Device button.
Follow the screen option to completely uninstall it.
Finally, restart your computer. It will just reinstall the device drivers automatically.
Windows 10 is undeniably one of the great operating systems and the same thing can be said about a lot of computers that are running it. However, there are instances when things don’t go as you expect them to be. One of the many issues you might face when using Windows 10 is the inability to upload any pictures over the web. If you are facing this issue right now, you are not alone for a lot of users have suffered from the same problem at least once. Even though it might seem like a minor problem, some users find it inconvenient especially the ones who often upload pictures online. Worry not though for this post will guide you on what you can do if you aren’t able to upload any images to websites on your Windows 10 computer.
To get started in troubleshooting the problem, here are some suggestions that might help:
Option 1 – Try to clear browser cache and try downloading again
There are times when some data in the browser is conflicting with the loading of the website and triggers some problems like not being able to upload pictures to websites. And so you can try to clear your browser’s data. This might be a very basic solution but oftentimes it works in fixing this kind of odd problem in your browser.
Option 2 – Open your browser in Incognito Mode
The next thing you can do to fix the problem is to try opening the web page in Incognito Mode. When your browser is in this mode, it will work without extensions. This would help in fixing the problem especially if it was caused by some extension or toolbar in your browser. All you have to do is open any web page in Chrome and tap the Ctrl + Shift + N key combination to open a window in Incognito Mode.
Option 3 – Try to disable and get rid of the problematic extension
The next thing you can do after trying the Incognito mode in your browser is to see if a browser extension is the one that’s causing the problem. And if you have installed a lot of browser extensions, then identifying which one is the culprit may take a while but not too long. Once you’ve identified the culprit, you can get rid of that browser extension and see if you can now upload pictures on websites.
Option 4 – Try to reset your browser
You might also want to reset your browser as it could also help in resolving the issue. To reset your browser, here’s what you have to do:
Google Chrome
Open Google Chrome, then tap the Alt + F keys.
After that, click on Settings.
Next, scroll down until you see the Advanced option, once you see it, click on it.
After clicking the Advanced option, go to the “Restore and clean up option and click on the “Restore settings to their original defaults” option to reset Google Chrome.
Now restart Google Chrome.
Mozilla Firefox
Open Mozilla Firefox and tap Ctrl + Shift + A to access the Add-ons Manager.
In the Extensions, menu Remove the unwanted extension.
Restart the browser and tap keys Alt + T.
Select Options and then move to the General menu.
Overwrite the URL in the Home Page section and then restart the browser.
Internet Explorer
Launch Internet Explorer.
Next, click the wrench icon for Settings.
Then click Internet Options.
After that, go to the Advanced tab.
From there, click the Reset button. This will reset Internet Explorer’s settings to their default condition.
Now click OK to save the changes made.
Restart your computer.
Option 5 – Update your browser or switch to another one
The last option you can try is to update your browser. You can do it by checking for any available updates from its official site and then install it. However, if updating the browser did not help, you might want to consider switching to another browser.
Program and features are Control panel section where once accessed contains all programs installed on the operating system. From these windows, any logged-in user can modify applications, uninstall them, etc. If for whatever reason you want to limit this access to users and remove this group from the control panel please do keep reading as we show you how you can achieve this desired result using two methods: via policy editor or registry editor. Feel free to use any provided method as both works (except on Windows 10 Home edition) and achieve the same thing, it all comes down to preferred preference on how you wish to do things.
Local group policy editor method
This method is more straightforward and easier perhaps than its counterpart but it has one significant drawback, it will not work on Windows 10 Home edition which does not have in itself a policy editor included. If you are using Windows 10 Home edition then feel free to skip this method and do it via registry editor. That being said let's start:
Press ⊞ WINDOWS + R to open the run dialog
Inside run dialog type in gpedit.msc followed by ENTER to open Group policy editor
Go to User Configuration\ Administrative Templates\ Control Panel\ Programs\
Double-click on the setting named Hide Programs and Features page
Change the toggle option from Not Configured to Enabled
Click on the Apply button and then the Ok button to save the changes
at this point, everything is supposed to be applied and your changes should take effect immediately. However, it has come to our attention that sometimes this is not the case. If you are one of these users which for whatever reason have not experienced applying to set momentarily do not despair and follow this quick guide on how to refresh settings and apply them right away.
Press ⊞ WINDOWS + X to open the hidden menu
Click on command prompt (admin)
In command prompt type in gpupdate /force and press ENTER in order to force update and set setting right away
Registry editor method
The registry editor method is a more complex one but it will be your only way of doing it if as mentioned you are running Windows 10 Home edition. As always it is highly recommended to make a backup of the Windows registry before tempering with it.
Press ⊞ WINDOWS + R to open the run dialog
Inside run dialog type in regedit and press ENTER to open the registry editor
If you would like to make a backup of the Windows registry go to File > Export and save the backup on a secure location naming it as you wish
Locate the following key inside the registry editor HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Programs
Right-click on the right pane of the Programs key and choose the New > DWORD (32-bit) Value option
Name the value as NoProgramsAndFeatures
Double-click on the NoProgramsAndFeatures value to open it
Change the value data to 1
Save the changes
Reboot the computer in order for changes to take effect.
note: you can always change values back in order to show again panel by changing the value to 0 in registry editor or choosing Not Configured or Disabled in the local group policy editor
A runtime error is commonly an error that's created after the PC is operating software and encounters a problem of some form. For instance, a runtime error like run-time error code 7 reveals an "out of memory" dilemma.
Solution
Error Cause
Run-time errors are normally brought on by clashes with TSR (Terminate and Stay Resident) applications or additional operating applications, software problems, storage problems, or pc viruses.
Troubleshooting a Run-time Error
First, enter the run-time error signal into a search engine to see what info you will get about the precise runtime issue you are receiving. Next, end - job all running applications and TSRs to make sure these aren't the origin of the issue. You can certainly do so by obtaining the job manager by striking Control Alt Delete.
In case your issue is regularly occurring with a unique program, go to that system programmer's site and obtain any upgrades and patches. If unavailable, try uninstalling the application involved and reinstalling it.
In the event the issue is occurring with the os, you may consider reinstalling it although it is a huge commitment. A much better idea would be to try a fix for both Windows XP or Windows 2,000. It is possible to fix and scan files by typing : sfc / scannow, heading to the Begin switch, Run, and then pushing enter. Make certain to put an area between sfc and the reduce.
You might have an equipment or storage dilemma if these measures have not resolved your run-time errors. If that is the situation, contact the support of the application under consideration for potential support accompanied by the pc or motherboard manufacturer.
Many run-time problems can be solved by upgrading the application that's creating the problem. This is only because the programmer's frequently releasing patches and improvements for their applications as insects are found and repaired.
Storage problems may frequently be fixed by rebooting the pc. Consider a reboot a short-term repair. Rebooting clears the memory but in case your COMPUTER does not have adequate memory for your applications you're operating, or sufficient hard-drive space you'll immediately run out of memory again. Something less than this sum may cause memory issues since the computer's swap file isn't in a position to expand in dimension as required.
To assess the quantity of free area, available My Computer and right-click on the HDD, generally the D: drive. Select Attributes in the menu and see the disc's ability. Perform the disk clean-up function by following prompts and pressing the Disk Clean-up button, if the room is reduced.
You may be getting run-time errors, in case your storage chip is really failing. Eliminating and changing the awful memory chip will solve the difficulty. If you're encountering other runtime-related errors, like an install runtime issue, try cleaning away the portions of the registry with some software solution.
Disk partitioning is a concept that’s been around for so long, but is still only familiar to few. If done right, it can help get your computer in perfect order.
Today we bring you a simple definition of disk partitioning, its pros and cons, and a quick tip on how to do it properly to reap its full benefit!
Definition and purpose
The simplest way to define disk partitioning would be: it’s exactly what it sounds like. It means taking a hard disk drive and separating it into different segments. These segments are called partitions. You can visualize it as cutting a cake into smaller pieces - not necessarily of the same size, though.
So what is the purpose of these pieces?
Well, when you first get a hard drive, it’s basically just a bunch of unallocated storage space. Until there’s at least one partition, this space is unusable to your operating system. Once you create a partition, your OS will recognize it as usable storage space.
You can choose to create a single partition and use it for all your files, from program files to personal data. A lot of off-the-shelf computers come with one primary partition like this and a small secondary one reserved for recovery purposes.
Whether or not you want to split your disk into more than one segment is up to you. We would generally recommend it, though. The whole point of partitioning is for each segment to have its own purpose.
So treating all your storage space as a single unit containing different file types would be like constructing an office building with only one massive room for everything - day-to-day work, conferences, interviews, etc. And all of this for different departments of the company. You can see how this might get a little messy.
Creating multiple partitions eliminates the task of running several different types of files from the same place. This takes a heavy load off the entire process of accessing data.
Disk partitioning also brings a ton of other benefits to the table. An important disclaimer, though: there are disadvantages too. We will walk you through both sides to help you get an objective idea and make an informed decision.
Source: Kina on Unsplash
What are the benefits of disk partitioning?
1. Better file organization
This is the most obvious and perhaps the biggest advantage of partitioning your hard drive.
As we already mentioned, partitioning allows you to create separate segments for different file and data types. You wouldn’t want to use the same partition for your system files and for games, would you?
If organization and time management are important to you, then multiple partitions are the right solution. Searching for specific files will be much easier overall. Say you have one hard drive, but three partitions: C for the system files alone, D for multimedia files and documents, and E for games and apps. Your computer loads the system from C without interference from the other two, and you know exactly where to look when searching for a file.
2. Easy reinstallation
File management isn’t the only thing made faster and simpler thanks to partitioning. If you opt for creating multiple segments on your drive, reinstalling Windows will be easy peasy.
That’s because all you need to do is format the partition your system is on. Then you reinstall the OS on it, and there you go. Now you have a clean installation, with all your files saved on other partitions intact. You can even make a copy of your system partition, so you can revisit the exact same installation in the future if you want. And the whole time your pictures, music, documents stay exactly where you left them.
Source: Andrew M on Unsplash
3. Possibility of using multiple file systems
By now you’ve understood that partitions function completely separately. This means that, if for some reason you need multiple file system capabilities, partitioning will allow that.
One segment could be used for, say, an NTFS file system, while another could run ext or APFS.
4. Running different OSes
You’re an avid Windows user but need to use Linux on the side? No problem. You don’t need to buy a separate computer or anything. The possibility of running different file systems also means you can use partitioning to run multiple operating systems.
Doesn’t that sound enticing? One machine for multiple totally different uses!
5. Backup and recovery made simple
Data loss can happen on any disk, partitioned or not. However, it’s much easier to get it back on a partitioned one. You know where you stored what, and each partition can be backed up exactly as it is. It’s also a lot faster to back up single partitions than entire hard drives.
Ultimately this also means a faster path to recovery. If you lose or accidentally delete important files and data, you might want to use a recovery tool like Recuva to scan for them and get them back. Recuva is even powerful enough to recover data from damaged hard drives. But no matter how powerful, scanning a whole drive is strenuous for any recovery tool. Scanning independent partitions is a lot more convenient than that, and will get you to your goal more efficiently.
6. Optimized performance
Now, let’s keep in mind that computer performance is influenced by a number of factors. Partitioning alone isn’t what makes it better or worse. However, it can contribute to optimization. It’s easier for your computer to scan, say, a 40 GB partition to fetch the system file it needs than scanning the entire capacity of your drive.
7. Improved security (possibly*)
Separate partitions can help make your system more secure. Firstly, they minimize file corruption. If one partition gets corrupted, the others should remain unaffected. And keeping in mind the previous point about backup and recovery, ‘fixing’ the damaged partition would be much easier than fixing the entire hard drive.
Partitioning also improves security in terms of malware protection. A malicious attack on one partition is easier to deal with than malware on the whole drive. If your system partition gets infected, you can simply reinstall your OS and that should do the trick.
*Do keep in mind that partitioning can’t defend you against more advanced attacks. So make sure not to give in to a false sense of security.
What are the disadvantages of partitioning?
1. Data is still vulnerable
Yes, it’s easier to back up and recover data from independent partitions. And yes, partitioning may help protect separated files and data to a higher degree. But remember: everything is still on a single physical drive. So while digital errors and issues may be easier to deal with on partitioned drives, physical damage obviously won’t be.
If your hard drive is destroyed in some way, all data on it will be gone. That’s why, if you have crucial files on your PC, it’s important to give them the proper backup treatment before it’s too late.
2. Disbalance of space
Allocating storage space on separate partitions may be a little more tricky than you think. You may fill up one partition a lot faster than another. So on one side you’re struggling with space, and on another you have too much of it to spare. Imagine nearly filling up your system partition and then it turns out you need a lot more space for its updates than you thought.
That’s why you really have to be sure you actually have enough files of different types that you need help managing efficiently. Otherwise you’ll just create a struggle and disbalance in terms of storage.
3. Increased risk of error
If done incorrectly, partitioning can lead to more harm than good. Aside from space disbalance, there is an increased risk of incorrect partition sizes and formatting. Plus, human error is also a factor: in a moment of distraction, you may erase one partition when you meant another. Undoing such mistakes will definitely be tedious and time-consuming.
4. SSDs eliminate the need of partitioning
SSDs (solid-state drives) don’t function in the same way that HDDs do. They have faster read times and can organize files on their own. This quite literally eliminates the need for organization on your part.
Partitioning: yes or no?
The bottom line is that multiple partitions might not be necessary for the average user. But if you’re planning on storing many file types or different file and operating systems on the same PC, then you should give it a shot. It’s also an excellent solution for businesses, of course.
And if our pros and cons list isn’t enough to help you decide, you can always send us a message and we’ll help you make the right choice.
Decided to partition your hard drive?
If you’ve decided to give it a go, you definitely should make sure to do it right.
The two most effective and reliable ways to partition are using the built-in options on Windows or investing in a dedicated partitioning tool, like the EaseUS Partition Master. Which one you'll opt for depends on your specific needs.
Option 1 may be more suitable for users with at least some level of experience. In this case, you’d have to know exactly which steps to take without making errors. This is done in Disk Management on Windows 10/11. From there, you can select the partitions you’d like to split into different volumes of selected sizes.
If this is your first time partitioning, we highly suggest you either consult professionals for this or move on to option 2. The EaseUS partitioning software is specifically designed for beginners, with an intuitive interface helping you succeed in the process. All you need to do is pick the Partition Master package tailored to your needs and follow their guide.
Each package offers technical support as well, and even free upgrades (to varying degrees based on your subscription). Plus, all of this is valid for not one, but two PCs.
It’s the perfect solution for a smooth and error-free partitioning process. If you want to organize your hard drives efficiently and make the most of all your space without doing irreparable damage, it’s definitely worth the investment.