Windows Vista users may already know that it's possible to shrink and extend partitions without losing any data using the Disk Management Console. As such, it's possible to partition your hard drive without spending a penny. So why would you want to shell out for a commercial product like this?

Two of the most important tools for a hard drive are a decent back-up tool and a partitioning tool. Paragon's Hard Disk Manager is an amalgam of its Drive Backup and Partition Manager programs (available separately), so it offers all this functionality in spades.

Whether you want to run two operating systems on one PC, set up a new hard drive or optimise your current one, having a partitioning utility is essential. So is Paragon Partition Manager the best choice for hard drive management?

Paragon Drive Backup 8 Personal makes short work of a range of tasks, including imaging entire disks or individual partitions, copying old drives to new and even disaster recovery operations.