How to create multiple partitions on a USB drive

February 2023 · 6 minute read
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  • A partition is a specific region of a hard disk or external storage device. The primary partition of a HDD is the C: drive, but some users add new partitions to their hard disks so that they can organize folders and files more efficiently. Partitioning HDDs is especially handy for multi-boot configurations as users can create a separate partition for the additional operating system. So there are numerous third-party software utilities for Windows that enable you to create new drive partitions.

    Windows only recognize the first primary partitions on USB drives, which is a notable restriction. Consequently, additional drives on USB sticks don’t show up in File Explorer. As such, there are seemingly few advantages to partitioning removable USB sticks for Windows users; but Linux platforms do recognize multiple partitions on external storage devices.

    However, times are changing; and with the Creators Update, Windows 10 does support multiple USB drive partitions. The Creators Update ensures that Windows 10 users can see multiple partitions on their USB drives in File Explorer. This update also enables you to add new partitions to USB sticks with the Disk Management utility, but you must have Windows 10, Version 1703 with ADK installed.

    Set up Multiple USB Drive Partitions With Disk Management

    So Windows 10 users with the Creators Update (v1703) can partition their USB drives with the platform’s Disk Management tool. First, back up your USB stick if it has files on it; but it’s better to partition an empty external drive if possible. Then you can add partitions to USB storage with the Disk Management system tool as follows.

    Add new Partitions to a USB Drive With Bootice

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    Bootice also enables you to select the partition Windows displays, which is handy if your laptop or desktop hasn’t had the Creators Update yet. Select the drive for Windows to display on the Partition Manager window, and then press the Assign Drive Letter button. Now File Explorer will display the selected partition.

    Add new Partitions to a USB Drive With AOMEI Partition Assistant

    Partition manager utilities also enable you to create partitions on USB flash drives. Adding partitions to USB drives is straightforward with AOMEI Partition Assistant. That also has a freeware version you can add to Windows by clicking the Download Freeware button.

    Get AOMEI Partition Assistant

    So that’s how you can create multiple partitions on a USB flash drive with the Disk Management utility, AOMEI Partition Assistant, and Bootice. Then you can organize your folders more efficiently on the external storage. There are plenty of other third-party programs you can partition USB sticks with, and this Windows Report article tells you about some of the best partition managers.

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