EASEUS Partition Master Reviewed March 2009 What’s It Do? EASEUS Partition Master Professional Edition is a comprehensive hard disk partition management tool to resize, copy, copy disks to protect data, create, delete, hide, unhide, and format partitions and remove partitions, etc. It works with RAID and Windows 2000/XP/Vista (32 bit and 64 bit) and runs a bootable CD/DVD if a computer crash occurs. Although EASEUS advises that the Partition Master cannot work with the Linux Operating System, our Reviewers found that it did, in fact, work with Linux with some limitations as noted in this report. Does It Do What It Promises? Reviewer 1: Yes, it was able to erase and create partitions, resize/move partitions, copy partitions as well as entire disks, hide or unhide partitions, and create bootable CD/DVDs. There is no specific Linux version at this time but Linux supports FAT & NTFS partitions set up via Windows. EASEUS Partition Master does not work on Dynamic or “striped” drives (RAID. Only Win2K and XP Pro support this drive configuration and it is not very common. EASEUS Partition Master does not support removable media such as Flash drives but it will work with USB, USB 2.0, and FireWire (IEEE 1394) drives. It must be run as “Administrator” if that account is part of one’s OS. Reviewer 2: Yes. I used EASEUS Partition Master to create and modify multiple partitions on two drives on a new computer system. It performed well in this real-world application as well as in other testing exercises. Reviewer 3: Yes. Reviewer 4: Yes, in general Easeus Partition Master worked as described; however, I did find some difficulties, particularly working on a computer with both Linux and Windows in a dual-boot situation. Was it easy to install? Reviewer 1: Yes, it was a very straightforward install with no problems. Reviewer 2: Installation was fast and simple. Reviewer 3: Yes, the 38.1 MB unzipped downloaded file installed without any problems or conflicts. Reviewer 4: Yes. It is a standard windows installation procedure allowing me to place the program and its shortcut icons in the locations of my choice. Good Points Reviewer 1: EASEUS Partition Master is easy to use. It has a simple, clean user interface, with prominent buttons and good graphic representations of all discs that are recognized. Multiple operations can be “stacked” and accomplished simultaneously. Once a task list is constructed, EASEUS Partition Master reboots to DOS, performs the operations and reboots again into Windows. It supports partition sizes from 2 GB minimum up to 1.5 TB, a capacity that will soon become commonplace. Reviewer 2: During installation of Microsoft Windows there are reasonably good options to create partitions; but, after that, one is fairly much on his own to create new partitions or to resize those already constructed. That’s where programs such as EASEUS like EASEUS Partition Manager Pro come into their own. It has the familiar look and feel of Powerquest’s Partition Manager (bought by Symantec and now unsupported). The interface is graphical on top and text-based below and changes can be made using either interface. The partition or unallocated drive space can be selected with the mouse from the screen menu or alternatively by right-clicking from the commonly-used options appearing in the pop-up menu. Choices include FAT, FAT32, and NTSF file systems; cluster size; drive letter; logical or primary partitions, as well as the partition size and the space before and after the partition. The user can choose from his own set of commands or of follow a wizard that guides through the process. Advanced options such as checking the integrity of an existing partition are available. Reviewer 3: EASEUS Partition Master has a very good help file that not only explains how to use the program, but also explains about partitions and the dos and don’ts. This is a very important feature for the average user who knows little about partitioning. Any user who doesn’t understand what primary and logical partitions are or what an active partition is should read this section of the help before using the program. EASEUS Partition Master provides warnings throughout the program about altering active primary partitions that could make a system unbootable and this makes the program safer for an unknowledgeable user to use. My first tests using EASEUS Partition Master was on a second non-active drive (500GB) that had not been partitioned and contained a bootable operating system and files (48.7 GB), the primary partition on that drive. With EASEUS Partition Master installed on my active, bootable first drive I was able to resize the portion of second drive that contained the Operating System (OS) and files and thus create a large unallocated space on that drive. I easily created two partitions in this unallocated space. I moved the first partition containing that OS and files to the end of the drive and made it a logical partition. This operation was extremely fast. I checked numerous files to verify the accuracy of the copy and found no errors. I was very impressed in how EASEUS Partition Master performed these functions. It allows the same functions (cluster size, partition type, partition size, etc) in creating a partition that other partition utilities do; but those other partition utilities are designed to perform those functions before the operating system is installed, while EASEUS Partition Master will do this after the operating system is installed. EASEUS Partition Master considers both the novice and expert users in setting the defaults to what most users need so that a novice can simply accept the defaults while the expert can change settings for specific needs. EASEUS Partition Master has built-in safeguards that prevent settings being made that simply will not work, thus preventing an unknowing user from making big mistakes. I deleted and formatted partitions just to test those functions purposely made the first partition on the drive a logical partition to see if EASEUS Partition Master followed partition rules about the first partition. The first 10 MB of the drive was not used and left as unallocated, which would make the drive unbootable. This is exactly what should happen if one makes the first partition a logical partition. I had EASEUS Partition Master change that partition to a primary partition (delete and create) and the new primary partition contained all of the first of the drive, thus making it bootable. The above testing resulted in moving an old bootable OS and files to its own partition at the end of the drive, allowing me to keep the data for future needs and free up the first of the drive to allow installing another OS that could be booted. EASEUS Partition Master has a nice feature that goes beyond the creating, deleting, resizing, copying, and moving of partitions. This feature is assigning drive letters to the partition. The importance of this is that a moved partition could keep the old drive letter and thus all Registry references to Paths with that drive letter would still be correct and functioning. My tests showed that this worked beautifully. This does not mean one can move the C drive and keep the name C drive as C drive is for the boot partition, but I set many programs to use D drive, moved it and assigned the D drive and those programs accessed the new partition where I moved the files. EASEUS Partition Master working from within Windows has limitations as the active primary drive can’t be managed while in use. The program has an answer for this by allowing the user to create a bootable disk that will function when Windows is not running. EASEUS Partition Master creates this disk without any other burning software. The process was extremely easy and fast using the wizard it provides. Testing this bootable disk, I realized I had the ultimate partitioning and formatting disks for any PC. The user interface in this boot mode was almost identical to the Windows version and I could easily create, format, and resize any partition on any of the drives my PC. EASEUS Partition Master can serve as an excellent security tool by allowing the user to create hidden partitions that are not visible or accessible through Windows. A hacker cannot hack what he/she doesn’t know is there. What is really functional about this feature is that is does not require a reboot to be effective and this and any other hidden partition is visible in EASEUS Partition Master. Reviewer 4: I am always nervous about the process of managing partitions on my drives. I fear that I will make a major mistake, lose important data, and make my computer unbootable. EASEUS Partition Master simplified the task and relieved my fears about creating, resizing, and deleting the drives actually installed on my computer, as well as the USB drives that I use mainly for backup purposes. The Windows Partition Master is a Spartan affair but may be all that is needed if one is knowledgeable and confident; however, for those less sure of themselves, EASEUS Partition Master guides each step, always with the option to cancel, and with context-sensitive help immediately available. The graphics show you what is happening, and the process can be undone up to the point that the program is instructed to apply the changes. In addition to the basic functions offered by the Windows Partition Manager, EASEUS Partition Master adds the ability to essentially copy and paste partitions. As I needed to make significant changes to the C:\ drive (the one containing the operating system,) I was able to copy the complete partition and store a copy of that partition on a USB drive. This provided a comforting backup in the event of problems. EASEUS Partition Master also makes it easier than Windows to rename a partition or a drive and to reassign permanent letter designations. I like this ability. As I have a couple of internal drives, one of them partitioned, I can give them letters and names that will help me to also remember their functions, e.g., P: Photos; S: Storage; U: University. . By leaving commonly-used drive letters free, memory keys and such can be connected and disconnected, grabbing whatever letters they like, without disturbing my normal data storage system. A Boot Disk can be created to boot directly into the EASEUS Partition Master program, bypassing all the other programs normally loaded at start-up time, that may interfere with the partitioning process. As EASEUS Partition Master is used to manipulate such essential devices such as the drives, I do think that good support is very important. In this, the Easeus personnel do an excellent job. I tried all the methods of support they offer: the online form, direct email and the forum. In all cases my inquiries were responded to in less than 12 hours and often in only two or three hours. This included weekends, as well as weekdays. They were always very courteous, and sometimes even enthusiastic, so I always felt that I was being answered personally, and not with standardized boiler-plate replies. Weak Points Reviewer 1: I did not encounter any significant issues during my testing. I used almost all of the various options that EASEUS Partition Master offered, and every operation completed without problems. Reviewer 2: If one wishes to add unallocated space to a sector, but that space is not adjacent to that sector, a complex manual procedure is required to move that space/sector to adjacent positions. There is no “merge” function, but detailed instructions are available on the forum for the equivalent set of procedures. Reviewer 3: I could not find any faults or weak points with Easeus Partition Master. Reviewer 4: I had some difficulty in trying to copy the C:\ drive (which has the Windows OS on it) and place it on a USB drive. On a second computer I had no problem. Returning to the first computer, I accomplished the task using the EASEUS Partition Master boot disk. Although Easeus strongly recommends that we close down other programs, which may interfere its operations, I am not always able to do so. For example, my anti-virus program can only be disabled, but there is no choice to completely shut it down. I also use an online back-up service that cannot be shut down. In that case, I have to use Win Patrol to disable it. Some method needs to be found that would allow EASEUS Partition Master to circumvent this limitation. EASEUS Partition Master also lacks a “refresh” function. If the program is running and a USB drive is connected to the computer, it does not recognize it, even after it has actually been installed and recognized by Windows itself. In order for that new USB dish to appear in the list of drives in EASEUS Partition Master, the program must be shut down, and restarted. Developer’s Web Site: Reviewer 1: I found the website to be pretty clean, well-organized, and easy to navigate. Although I had no support issues, I did explore the various support options available on the Web site. Under the support tab, the first offering is to re-download the software if needed by supplying your order ID and e-mail address. The support options consisted of a FAQ page, support and bug report via email, and an active and current support forum. Reviewer 2: The Web site was not easy to navigate but did contain valuable support information. To find this product, one must navigate to the products section and scroll to the bottom of the page for detailed information about EASEUS Partition Master. Nevertheless, the detailed FAQ is worth the effort as well as the actively supported forum that candidly discusses strengths and limitations of this program. Reviewer 3: EASEUS Web site is easy to navigate and easy to find what one is looking for. Reviewer 4: The site is very clean and easy to navigate. Occasional lapses in English remind us that English is not the native language of the people working there; however, this did not cause any difficulties in understanding. I did have a bit of trouble finding the link to the forum; I think that it should be given a more prominent location. It is, after all, a valuable resource for Easeus users, particularly for newbies. In addition to the sales and promotions parts of the site, there is quite a lot of technical information for those who wish to browse through it. Other Comments? Reviewer 1: The obvious competition for EASEUS Partition Master would be Norton's PartitionMagic. In a comparison table of nine different metrics on their Web site, PartitionMagic did not support five of the 9 that EASEUS Partition Master did. Even EASEUS’s free Home edition had more capabilities than PartitionMagic. For testing purposes, I have a spare 120 GB drive installed and used this drive for testing this software. It had been previously wiped and had no data on it, but it did have a working active partition. I used EASEUS Partition Master to erase the existing partition and create two new partitions. I was able to easily specify the size and the name of each partition. Windows automatically assigned the drive letter designation. I then proceeded to install Ubuntu Linux in the first 50 GB partition with no problems. On reboot, the boot manager gave me the option to boot into Windows or Linux, just as it should. Reviewer 2: For many home users, EASUS’s Partition Master Home Edition is a free alternative which includes many of the basic functions included in the Pro edition. Reviewer 3: Partitioning has historically been a function performed before Windows is installed. The trouble with that concept is one never knows what your partitioning needs will be in the future. EASEUS Partition Master lets one adjust partitioning needs without have to start all over again. This program performs a single task (partition management) and performs it very well. The average user will seldom need it; however, when it is needed to manage partitions, he will be glad he has this program Reviewer 4: Easeus has a free version of the partition manager. Many of the functions available in the Professional version are available in the Freeware version. This would give anyone interested a free trial before purchase; however, even the Professional Version is very reasonably priced when compared to competitors. Will you continue to use it? Reviewer 1: While this program is not something that one needs very often, it did work quite well when it was needed. And I am keeping it installed. Reviewer 2: Yes. Reviewer 3: Yes, it has now replaced my other partitioning and formatting programs. Reviewer 4: Yes. Although I do not need to manage partitions on a regular basis, on those occasions when the need arises, I will feel very comfortable using Easeus Partition Master. OPERATING SYSTEMS USED IN THIS REVIEW Windows XP Home, XP Pro, XP Media Center, Vista Home Premium Back