Why does Windows 10 parition the hard drive into a C and D drive?

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  1. Posts : 18
    Windows 10 Pro
       #1

    Why does Windows 10 parition the hard drive into a C and D drive?


    Hello,

    Relatively new to Windows 10. Why does Windows 10 partition the hard drive into a C and D drive?

    As purchased, my Windows 10 machine has split my 2TB drive split into C and D.

    The C drive is much smaller than the D drive (At work otherwise I would supply the actual space values).
    I have modified the system to send most of my data to the D drive.

    This question is just to satisfy my curiosity.

    Thanks in advance.

    Stu
      My Computer


  2. Posts : 9,765
    Mac OS Catalina
       #2

    It doesn't. If the computer has a Hybrid Platter drive that uses a 36GB SSD for handling buffer for read/write, that would be why you are seeing two drives. Fill out the whole model number of your machine. Your Dell code will tell you on their Support website what it was built with.
      My Computer


  3. Posts : 31,471
    10 Home x64 (22H2) (10 Pro on 2nd pc)
       #3

    It's not Windows 10 that chose to partition the drive as C: & D: drives. That was a decision made by the PC manufacturer. My (originally Win7, now upgraded to 10) Toshiba laptop came out of the factory with two equal-sized partitions. I've no idea why, perhaps they intended the D: drive to be for user data (or backups?).

    Whatever - the only thing Toshiba actually put in the D: drive was their HDDRecovery folder containing the factory reset system image.
      My Computers


  4. Posts : 18
    Windows 10 Pro
    Thread Starter
       #4

    Hello bro67

    I went to the Dell website and for my machine's configuration, I saw:

    SSDR, 256, S3, 2280, SAMSUNG

    I am going to assume this mean that I have a SSD.

    Thanks

    Stu
      My Computer


  5. Posts : 2,324
    Win10
       #5

    It may have an SSD AND a HDD ? the SSD is unlikely to be 2TB and looks like it is 256 GB Sata type 2280 above or it maybe a SSHD as Bro suggested

    Post a link to the exact model you have ...... then no guessing game.....


    KB.
      My Computers


  6. Posts : 37
    Win 10 Pro 64 bit 1703 Bld 15063.138
       #6

    stuart253 said:
    Hello,
    Relatively new to Windows 10. Why does Windows 10 partition the hard drive into a C and D drive?
    As purchased, my Windows 10 machine has split my 2TB drive split into C and D.
    The C drive is much smaller than the D drive (At work otherwise I would supply the actual space values).
    I have modified the system to send most of my data to the D drive.
    Stu
    I agree with most of the previous comments. If C is much smaller, it is likely 256 GB max as I've never seen anyone put a 1 TB SSD in a for sale machine. I have a 1 TB SSD but I bought it when upgrading my PC a couple of years ago for speed. I partitioned it at C=200 GB, D=200 GB, E=531 GB and I have a 3 TB for data storage.
    I like a clean separation of OS, programs, and data, so C is OS Win10, D is scratch drive at moment as I'd planned a dual OS boot but did that on my backup PC with XP/Win10, and E is programs. Of course its impossible to stop some programs from installing on C but at least I minimize it. I would tend to recommend you partition your large drive so you can have a program drive and a data drive. I've been operating this way going back to DOS 2.2 in 1986 and I've seldom lost any significant data. OS's and programs can always be re-installed, but data collected over years can't.

    In Win10 you can look at your drive partitioning and hardware setup by opening Control Panel. Click on Administrative Tools, then System Configuration, then tab Tools in the popup window. Then click Computer Management, then Storage, then Disk Management. That takes a few seconds to gather the data but will come up with a list like Disk 0 (256 GB), Disk 1 (1.7 TB), CD-Rom 0. That will tell you the size of each drive, whether they are physical (0,1) or Logical (C,D) with the size and how much space is used/left. Cheers.
      My Computer


  7. Posts : 9,765
    Mac OS Catalina
       #7

    thekelt there are plenty of units sold that have 1TB drives installed in them at the factory. The drive that is installed is a M.2 Samsung PM851 SSD. http://www.samsung.com/us/business/o...odOverview.pdf Data Sheet on that drive series. http://www.samsung.com/semiconductor...851_M2_v12.pdf
      My Computer


  8. Posts : 9,765
    Mac OS Catalina
       #8

    stuart253 said:
    Hello bro67

    I went to the Dell website and for my machine's configuration, I saw:

    SSDR, 256, S3, 2280, SAMSUNG

    I am going to assume this mean that I have a SSD.

    Thanks

    Stu
    Yes you have a Samsung PM851 series M.2 SSD drive. This is the data sheet on it. http://www.samsung.com/semiconductor...851_M2_v12.pdf Product Overview on it. http://www.samsung.com/us/business/o...odOverview.pdf

    "Exceptional Performance in an Ultra-Slim Form Factor Designed for use in ultra-slim notebook PCs and desktop computers with a supporting mSATA compatible socket, (or use a SATA to mSATA adapter if your computer accepts standard 2.5" SATA drives, or a MicroSATA to mSATA adapter if your computer accepts 1.8" MicroSATA drives). The Samsung PM851 SSD provides exceptional read, write, and multi-tasking performance. It's built for the real world, with no moving parts to reduce the risk of damage from shock, while using the latest in security technology including AES 256-bit encryption. Additionally, its ultra-efficient design means increased battery life. Features Fast - Enables you to boot up your computer in as little as 10 seconds. Energy Efficient - improves battery life by as much as 50 minutes over a spinning hard drive. Rugged - Solid-state design provides greater shock protection for data. Secure - Worry-free data security with AES 256-bit full-disk encryption. World Class Speed The PM851 in the 512GB capacity is capable of delivering class leading sequential read and write speeds--up to 540 MB/sec and 380 MB/sec respectively--for ultra-fast file transfers. Self-Encrypting Drive (SED) Technology Samsungs PM851 SSD applies 256-bit AES hardware-based data encryption automatically, and you can re-purpose your drive or dispose of your data simply by erasing the encryption key. Samsung 3-Core MDX Controller 4th-generation 3-Core Cortex-R4 Samsung MDX Controller ensures sustained performance under demanding conditions, and accomplishes more under the same power conditions than the previous-generation Samsung MCX controller."

    The only question that comes up is that you may have a second drive installed alongside the M.2. Your spec's from when you ordered it will state what hardware was installed. It is available on the Support side of Dell if you put in your ID on the sticker or the Serial number.
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  9. Posts : 19,516
    W11+W11 Developer Insider + Linux
       #9

    If you could put a picture of disk management it would be clearer how everything was set up.
      My Computers


  10. Posts : 9,765
    Mac OS Catalina
       #10

    CountMike said:
    If you could put a picture of disk management it would be clearer how everything was set up.
    Not much to clear up. Most likely they have two M.2 boards in the unit is why they may be showing two drives. M.2 is making it easier for OEM's to not have to deal with shock and drop problems. Along with the fact that Apple set the standard with the Air to have a M.2 drive in the unit.

    Now seeing a picture of the boards if they are able to access them wold be well worth knowing how Dell did this.
      My Computer


 

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