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For the average user, the limited partitioning abilities of Windows Disk Management is probably all you'll ever need. But if you're the type that likes running multiple operating systems, or distributing data and applications across several partitions to keep them better organized, then you need something more powerful.

Paragon's Partition Manager Personal 9.0 allows you create, delete, resize, move, merge, hide, unhide, and perform numerous other operations on your hard drive and its partitions. I recently had the chance to use it extensively in PC World's Dream PC project when my old standby, Acronis's Disk Director, failed to boot (a newer version of Disk Director I subsequently downloaded booted fine). Partition Manager rapidly became a new favorite thanks to its efficient, no-nonsense interface. Where Disk Director tries so hard to be friendly that it sometimes gets in its own way, all Partition Manager's functions seem to be right where you'd expect them to be. Bang, bang, mission accomplished.

I've used virtually every Partition Manager function on several PCs with nary a misfire. I've even used the program's defrag routine successfully on a Windows partition though I can't say that I noticed any increase the speed of the machine's disk operations. I have not tried the boot manager (for running multiple operating systems) though I did start the routine for installing a second OS and it seemed, if somewhat confusing, about on par with other utilities of its ilk. You can use Partition Manager within Windows (32-bit only--it complained when I tried to install it under Vista Ultimate 64) or simply by booting from its install disc.

--Jon L. Jacobi