HDD multiple partition question

[imported_drAV]

I bought a new WD 640gb HDD last week along with an external enclosure. I'm planning on using it as a file storage drive for my laptop because my laptop's hdd is running out. The thing is that I want to use this WD hdd as my primary drive for a desktop I'm going to build in a few months. So is it better to create multiple partitions and install OS for my future desktop on a separate partition? I'm guessing I won't fill up more than 200gb on this hdd in the time in between.

 

[Foxery]

This would work, but if you don't actually want your future desktop machine to have partitions, it isn't necessary. You can install its OS with data already on the drive without disturbing anything. Just start out with your desired file system now - probably NTFS - and away you go.

Personally, I use a boot partition and a data partition anyway, because I like the added organization with such a large drive... but that's a matter of personal taste. Just make sure to leave yourself lots of room (40+GB, depending on your habits,) on the boot partition for installing apps and games for many years to come.

 

[imported_drAV]

Thanks for the advice. I'll probably just use one single partition.
A side question, do I need partition tools to partition my new 640gb HDD? or just use windows utility? Because I remember 2,3 yrs I had to download a tool to do this for my drive because XP wouldn't recognize the extra space on a hdd beyond a certain size (260gb or something). I'm not sure if it still behaves that way.

 

[Foxery]

Windows itself understands drives much larger than this, as long as the computer's disk controller supports it. The ways I know how to create the actual partitions are:
1) During the OS installation
2) Using a good ol' fashioned DOS tool, like Ranish
3) Control Panel -> Administrative Tools -> Computer Management, and select "Disk Management"