DiskGenius: disk partition, windows migration, data recovery and much more

DiskGenius is a disk manipulation program (partition table conversion, cloning, backup), partitioned (shrink and enlarge, partition and other tasks), with data recovery functions that works properly and, what is more important, do not need the purchase. of a license.

This review is about the main features of DiskGenius when working with hard drives, SSD or flash drives and why, at the time of writing this post, the program has a number of advantages over its counterparts.

How does DiskGenius software stand out??

In the posts about how to migrate Windows 10 and SSD, about how to convert disks from GPT (GUID) to MBR and vice versa, create and delete partitions, I usually mention two popular free programs: Aomei Partition Assistant Standard y MiniTool Partition Wizard Free. They are used for everything but one: more and more functions are paid.

As an example, I write about converting GPT to MBR without data loss in these programs, and six months later, this feature is no longer enabled in the free version. I am describing how to move Windows to another disk in MiniTool product, while the new version of that utility already needs a license. It is these circumstances that once made me write instructions on how to download old versions of useful programs.

And DiskGenius, all the functions mentioned above are available completely free of charge. When testing the program, I only found one limitation: it is not enabled to convert a dynamic disk to a basic disk without data loss (the function is enabled, but you need a license). All other functions tested by me work fine. I do not exclude that there are some nuances that I did not find. As an example, there may be some limitations when using data recovery software, as an example, in terms of data capacity, but i didn't notice them during testing.

Work with DiskGenius functions

Download DiskGenius from the developer's official web portal: https://www.diskgenius.com/, there is no interface in russian and the installation does not contain more functions than the following message:

Keep in mind: if the purpose of installing the program is data recovery, should not install it on disk (partition) from which you plan to recover. Also I would add that you should not install it on the partition where you plan to perform active data recovery (even though in some cases you can ignore this recommendation).

After installation, you can start the program: you will see the typical interface of disk partition utilities, you can start using the available functions.

Transfer from Windows or another system to an SSD or other hard drive

A much requested feature is Windows migration 10 to an SSD or other hard drive. Despite this, it does not necessarily have to be that particular system. And DiskGenius, the function works as follows:

1. Click on the OS migration button on the top menu.
2. Select the destination drive (a separate physical SSD or HDD), all data will be removed from it. The program is capable of placing larger partitions (assuming there is not much space in them) on smaller discs.
3. If you wish, adjust the size of the partitions on the target disk: as an example, can make free space for one more partition.
4. Click the start button. You will be prompted to perform the hot migration (without restarting the computer) or reboot into WinPE to migrate the system (with a reboot); here is up to you, i tried both, both worked fine.

Convert from MBR to GPT or from GPT to MBR without data loss

Before starting, keep in mind: conversion must be done for a non-system disk (or for the only disk on which you plan to install the system, but for this case you will have to use the boot version of the program, described in the additional features section). If you are converting a system disk, the system most likely will not boot. If you need to convert Windows system disk 10 from MBR to GPT without sacrificing boot ability, use the official method with mbr2gpt.

The partition table conversion procedure in DiskGenius is very simple:

1. Right-click on the disk in the listing on the left (exactly on disk, not in partition, since the GPT or MBR partition table applies to the entire disk).
2. In the context menu, select Convert to GUID Partition Table To convert to GPT the Convert to MBR partition table to convert the MBR (one of the items corresponding to the current partition table will be inactive).
3. Apply the changes by pressing the key. “Save everyone” to the right.

Work with hard drive and SSD partitions

As in any program of this type, you can work with hard disk partitions: enlarge and reduce them, divide a partition into several and perform other actions. The easiest way is to click with the right mouse button on the graphical representation of one of the partitions of the disk selected at the top of the program window or on a partition in the left pane and choose the desired action:

1. Create a new partition – Create a new partition from the free space of the selected partition.
2. Format the current partition – Format the current partition.
3. Delete current partition – Delete current partition.
4. Resize partition – Resize current partition.
5. Expand partition – Expand the current partition.
6. Split partition – Split disk partition.

Other options are available, how to clone a partition to another disk. (Clone partition)Set the label “Active” for a partition, convert from primary to logical or vice versa (solo MBR), hide partitions.

The partition operations interface is repetitive in choosing the different actions and allows you to manually enter the desired size or move the divider in the graphical representation of the disk partitions.

Another function related to partitions is called "Quick Partition" (quick partition, performed with a full disk erase): just right click on the disk from the left list (by physical disk name) and select the respective context menu option.

Subsequently, will be able to convert the disk to the required format and create the required number of partitions of the selected size with the required file system and with the required labels; the logic of the function is, hopefully, clear in the screenshot above.

File recovery, deleted and damaged disk partitions

The program offers data recovery functions:

1. If you select a physical disk or partition on it and select “Recover lost files” in the context menu, can search for deleted files, as well as data lost after formatting, and then restore them to the correct location (you should not restore to the same disk from which you are recovering).
2. If you select a physical disk from the list on the left and select “Find lost partitions” in the context menu, can find and recover lost partitions (by elimination, formatting, file system corruption) On the disk.

I have tested this functionality only superficially and only in terms of recovering deleted files: the files are located, partially recover, but I can't judge the effectiveness. One way or another, this feature may come in handy one day. This part can also be useful for: The best software without data recovery costs, How to recover a deleted disk partition, How to recover a RAW disc.

More DiskGenius Features

Above I have listed the uses of DiskGenius which I think most users will need most of the time, but it also has additional features:

• Create a DiskGenius bootable flash drive from the “Instruments” – “Create WinPE USB Drive”. This is useful, as an example, to convert a drive to GPT or MBR before installing the operating system.
• Checking and repairing disk errors – Post “Check or repair bad sectors” in the context menu of the partition.
• Save the partitions to an image file (element Clone partition to image file from the partition's context menu).
• Force TRIM for SSDs.
• Create a virtual disk file from a physical disk, available in the physical disc menu, element “Create a new virtual disk”.
• Clone the current system to a VMware virtual machine (available in the Tools menu).
• Backup current partition table and restore from backup.

And even though this list is not complete, you can also find something of your interest.

Review video

In summary: today DiskGenius is one of the best representatives of this type of software, as long as you are willing to put up with the lack of interface language in Russian. And let's hope it stays that way.