Windows 10: Partition Wizard 10.1 Questions to experienced users

I have a number of bootable Partition Wizard CDs from v9.1 and going back.

I see that there is a new version - 10.1 - but it looks like there is no free version of the bootable CD. It seems you must buy a full version of the software to be able to create the boot CD.

Q1: Is this indeed the case now?

The reason I am looking at 10.1 is because I can't boot 9.1 in UEFI Mode without disabling SecureBoot and TPM.
I can boot 9.1 from normal mode and PW opens fine.

Q2: Does it matter? If I can start the program from CD in non-UEFI mode, am I limited in what I can do (for basic disk management tasks - I'm not talking about advanced options not normally included in the free versions)

Q3: Are there any features of v10.1 that are must have, or special?

I've got a couple of brand new laptops to set up and I will be deleting recovery partitions and resizing OS partition.

:)

 

Accidentally Converted External Hard Drive to "ESD-USB"

If the drive was not formatted at all (including a 32gb installer partition which is normally created) but only Deleted and all appears at Unallocated Space, then there is a way to undelete the partitions which will restore them. See this tutorial for

Partition Wizard Partition Recovery Wizard - Video Help

There is both a video and written tutorial.

Note that the latest version of Free Partition Wizard does not have this feature any longer but wants you to buy the Pro Version to use it.

But you can use the last version which had his feature for free, which I will loan you from here:

https://1drv.ms/u/s!AvYCo3R_p142we4SgAd0IYSJ0e3hwA

Download and install then carefully follow the above tutorials, both video and written. If you have any questions ask back.

Again: This only covers partitions that were deleted and have not been formatted at all. For deleted partitions it will undelete them if you do it correctly.


I hope this helps. Feel free to ask back any questions and let us know how it goes. I will keep working with you until it's resolved.

 

Partition Recovery

If it's unformatted and only deleted then you can undelete it using the first tool I linked

Partition Wizard Partition Recovery Wizard - Video Help

 

Yes - there is no bootable CD now with the Free Version of Partition Wizard.

The only feature that I would enjoy is the WinPE bootable media. Since the older versions always have used a Linux based system and didn't support my Wireless Mouse & Keyboard, I always had to rummage around and find my old wired Mouse & Keyboard before I could use it.

 

For now. Nobody knows

You can almost do any basic operation in version 9

No really except couple of new features but I don't think they apply to you. Below was copied from their website:

• Create, format, delete, copy, label, wipe exFAT partition, and more...
• Copy MBR disk to GPT disk, including the system disk.
• Convert system disk from MBR to GPT.
• Copy system required partition only or copy the entire system disk.
• Support HD resolution (4K, 5K).

Having said all that. My preference is to use Macrium Rescue disk even though it's an imaging software but it can also be used as a partition manager. It's always a good idea to make a backup copy before messing around with partitions and Macrium provides that.
Boot up Macrium disk and use the backup image to re-arrange, copy, resize, swap, convert from/to MBR or GPT partition(s) and IMO, it's faster than using the partition manager.

 

Or simply use this iso which has it in (can update it if older version).

Windows 10 Recovery Tools - Bootable Rescue Disk

 

Thanks for the pointers folks.

I'm making a full disk image with Acronis, of the out-of-the-box system, now. Will not screw with the partitioning and customizing until that is done.

I will probably just use my 9.1 disk for now. I have an Easeus 10.1 disk for higher level disk chores. I'm just very comfortable with PW - like an old pair of jeans.

 

Just an FYI in case anyone is interested:

I can boot my Partition Wizard 9.1 bootable CD on a UEFI system by going into BIOS Settings and Enabling CSM (Compatibility Support Module).

Upon saving changes and exiting you can immediately hit the Boot Menu key and you will have 2 options for CD-ROM, a UEFI one and a Legacy one. Choose the Legacy CD-ROM and the disk will start right up like usual.

Don't forget to change the CSM back to disabled after, or the OS will not start.

It's an annoying extra step, but keeps an old program useful.