How to Partition a Hard Drive on a Mac

Partitioning a hard drive is beneficial if you want to use different versions of OS X or install Windows or Linux on your Mac computer.

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You Will Need

  • Mac computer
  • Back-up drive or additional computer
  • Mac OS X install disc (optional)

Steps

  1. Step 1

    Back up data

    Back up any data on the hard drive to another drive or computer. Partitioning erases a drive.

  2. In order to partition the startup volume, or the main hard drive of the computer, insert the Mac OS X install disc, restart the computer, and hold down the C key when you hear the startup chimes.

  3. Step 2

    Launch disk utility

    Go to Applications, then to the Utilities folder, and open Disk Utility.

  4. Step 3

    Select drive

    Select the disk you want to partition by clicking on its name in the list.

  5. Step 4

    Go to partition tab

    Click the Partition tab.

  6. Step 5

    Setup partition specifics

    Choose a volume scheme for the drive and set options for the name and size of each partition. Drag the dividers between the drives to resize them.

  7. Step 6

    Apply

    Click Apply to partition the drive.

  8. Released in 1979, the 5MB ST506 was the first hard disk drive for personal computers.

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