Partitioning storage media
This section describes how to partition your storage medium. During partitioning a physical storage medium is subdivided into two or more logic storage media. The partitions are independent and can be treated as independent storage media by the operating system.
Partitioning a storage medium can offer various advantages:
- Several operating systems can be installed on the same storage medium.
- Each partition has its own file system, and it is possible to set up different file systems.
- Data security is enhanced. Partitions with faulty file systems have no effect on other partitions. Partitions may be formatted independently of other partitions.
- Partitions facilitate “housekeeping”. The user can determine which data is stored on which partition. Individual partitions can be dedicated to data backup.
The minimum storage medium size for which partitioning may make sense is 8 GB. Smaller storage media would quickly reach their limits, since the Windows operating system and TwinCAT together occupy approx. 4.45 GB of memory. A partition on a storage medium with a size of less than 8 GB would therefore not provide enough usable memory.
These instructions are intended for Embedded PCs and Industrial PCs with the Windows Embedded Standard (WES) 7 operating system or higher.
The following sections contain further information on:
- activating the Windows Disk Defragmenter service and
- partitioning of your storage media.