But the program makes a couple of minor missteps with some advanced operations. While the application provides wizards for copying and recovery, most other operations are done via a single dialog with easy, intuitive controls. Partition Wizard’s outstanding aspect is not its capabilities, which are largely mirrored in other programs, but how easy it is to use for basic operations. While not strictly partition related, those commands would make the program a one-stop shop for everything storage-related.

I was hoping MiniTool might also support invoking a drive’s own secure erase function and/or force TRIM on SSDS, but it doesn’t. There’s also a separate surface test, a file explorer (view-only), and a secure wipe utility. Partition Wizard scored immediate points with me by running it seamlessly within the program. I’ve always wondered why partitioning tools force you to open a standalone command prompt to run Microsoft’s own chkdsk.exe-still the best disk-checking utility for Windows outside of dedicated recovery programs. The MiniTools Partition Wizard interface is standard for the ilk, but just a bit easier to use than most of the competition for basic operations. Not only does this allow hands-free implementation of multiple commands on multiple drives, it allows you to review your choices-always a good idea when you’re doing things that can kill data. As with most programs of its ilk, it queues commands such as convert (FAT to NTFS or vice versa), delete, merge, split, and wipe, then applies them all at once. Partition Wizard supports all the latest partition technologies such as Windows dynamic disks and GPT. However, its interface approach to some advanced operations such as merge and re-size could use a bit of work. While familiar, the interface is particularly focused in its approach and exceptionally easy to use for basic operations. MiniTool’s Partition Wizard is a highly competent partitioning toolkit that experienced users should have little difficulty getting up to speed with-largely because it looks and feels just like a half dozen others: toolbar, list of functions to the left, and a pane with drive information to the right.

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