How to Use Easeus Partition Manager
Use Partition Manager 3.0 for Disaster Recovery and Data Security
Dec 5, 2008
There are a number of new features in the latest version of Easeus Partition Manager, but this article will focus on the ones that to protect against information loss or secure data on the computer.
Data Recovery/Transfer Features
Backups are the first line of defense against losing information on a computer. Partition Manager allows anyone to backup the whole hard-drive or partitions on it. A backup of the boot partition for example (usually the C: drive) normally allows the computer to be restored to its previous configuration and boot settings.
This feature can also be used to simplify hard-drive upgrades on a system. If a larger/faster drive is purchased to replace an older one, copying the partition means that a simple swap is now possible without any data loss. The partitions can also be resized if desired.
This process will not work on all computers though. Desktops and laptops with manufacturer recovery systems normally have special configurations on the hard-drives to support this. The user should read the documentation that comes with the computer and do a full backup before attempting this to be on the safe side.
Data Security FeaturesMost computers are sold with a single partition (C: drive) on which all data is stored. It is normally recommended that files with different security needs be put in different folders so security settings can be applied to these folders. An even more effective solution is putting them on different partitions and applying security settings this way. Partition Manager makes this very easy to do.
This can be done by resizing the C: drive and taking the additional space to create one or two more partitions. Different users on the computer would then have dedicated drive letters on which they can put confidential data. When creating the new partitions, the NTFS file system should be used on Windows computers so that security settings can be applied at the file and folder level.
Another handy feature of Partition Manager is the ability to hide partitions. Setting permissions on a partition or folder is one thing but preventing others from even seeing it takes security to another level. Only personal data should be put on these hidden partitions. Putting shared data or applications on them can cause problems for other people who use the computer or interfere with the boot process.
Recommendations
Having a process in place to protect computer data, especially for laptops used outside the home or office is very important, but a few precautions should be taken if using Easeus Partition Manager or any other product for this purpose:
- Test Restores: Just because a backup is successful does not mean that a restore will work. It is always worth the time and effort to test a backup process to see if it restores properly.
- Backup before Modifications: A partition resize might work well on one computer but have problems on another for multiple reasons. Even if the change is considered minor, a backup to an external hard drive is always a good idea.
- Free Space/Defragmentation: Resizing partitions is easier when they are defragmented first. This can be done from the Computer Management Console in Windows XP or Vista. Making sure that adequate free space is available (at least 15 percent) can also make the process run more smoothly.
Easeus Partition Manager comes in multiple editions with different features, but all the ones mentioned in this article are available with the free Home Edition. With the proper precautions and regular backups, this product can be used to protect and secure important data.
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