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Options when partitioning a disk

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Applies To: Windows Server 2003, Windows Server 2003 R2, Windows Server 2003 with SP1, Windows Server 2003 with SP2

Options when partitioning a disk

You can change the partitions on your disk during Setup only if you are performing a new installation, not an upgrade. You can modify the partitioning of the disk after Setup by using Disk Management.

If you are performing a new installation, Setup examines the hard disk to determine its existing configuration, and then offers the following options:

  • If the hard disk is unpartitioned, you can create and size the partition on which you will install a product in the Windows Server 2003 family.

  • If the hard disk is partitioned but has enough unpartitioned disk space, you can create the partition for your Windows Server 2003 family product by using the unpartitioned space.

  • If the hard disk has an existing partition that is large enough, you can install a product in the Windows Server 2003 family on that partition, with or without reformatting the partition first. Reformatting a partition erases all data on the partition. If you do not reformat the partition but you do install a Windows Server 2003 family product where there is already an operating system, that operating system will be overwritten, and you must reinstall any applications you want to use with the Windows Server 2003 family product.

  • If the hard disk has an existing partition, you can delete it to create more unpartitioned disk space for a partition for a Windows Server 2003 family product. Deleting an existing partition also erases any data on that partition.