Windows 11 How to set u a new 2TB external USB drive with multiple partitions (GPT + different size volumes

[Zevik83]

Scenerio: I am the aging family "guru" for our 3 family laptops - a Dell i7 Win11 Pro with built-in DVD, a Dell i7 Win Home and a Lenovo Ideapad 3 i5 Win Home. Second and third watch their DVDs on USB external DVD and Bluetooth drives. All data is backed up, ditto Win bootable Recoveries and System Images, all fairly current. I want to buy a new Seagate Ultra Touch 2TB drive as a second set of backups, data, boots and systems.

My plan is to provide 3 x 256GB volumes for the System Images, and use 32G USB sticks for the Dells for the latest Media Creation Tool - the Lenovo has a similar setup - 32G bootable USB, Lenovon tools or I ncan just download the System Image. For the data, multiple smaller size volumes - Documents, Downloads, Photos etc. My work for the next few days is to use File Explorer on each laptop to check the sizes I need to define for the data pieces, probably 32 - 64 G chunks. I may need almost all the letters of the alphabet in the end !

The inbuilt DVD on the first unit is assigned to D: - I believe that I can permanently change the drive letter?? So I need to reserve a letter for DVDs , and one each for Google Drive and Onedrive - every family member has gotten used to one of them. So happy that Dropbox took a different route.

So, suggestions please as to what size and letters to assign to each of the 3 Primary {?} Partitions (the 3 System Images ?) and what to assign to the Extended Partition multiple volumes (the Data chunks). Once thatnisndone and I have received the new drive, I'll come back for step-by-step help in getting it registered, tested running and chunked.

 

[ChatGPT]

Great, this is a very clear plan — nice thinking ahead. Below I’ll keep it short and practical: two recommended approaches (one I strongly prefer), a suggested drive‑letter scheme that fits what you already use (F = DVD, G = Google), and small notes about tradeoffs (why you might choose folders vs many small partitions). I’ll be ready to do the step‑by‑step GUI work when your Ultra Touch arrives.
Important baseline

• Initialize the new drive as GPT (modern, no 4‑partition MBR limit and supports >2 TB). GPT is the correct choice for a new 2 TB drive.

Option A — Recommended (simpler, more flexible)

• Why: partitions are inflexible. Create three fixed 256 GB partitions for the system images (so each laptop has a dedicated image area) and put all data into one large NTFS “Data” partition with folders for Documents, Photos, Downloads, Shared, etc. This avoids wasting space and makes management much easier.
• Layout (approx total ~1863 GiB usable on a 2 TB drive):
  1) Part 1 — 256 GB — SystemImage_Dell1 — assign letter R: (or I: if you prefer)
  2) Part 2 — 256 GB — SystemImage_Dell2 — assign letter S:
  3) Part 3 — 256 GB — SystemImage_Lenovo — assign letter T:
  4) Part 4 — ~1,095 GB remainder — Data — assign letter U: (format NTFS; create folders U:\Documents, U:\Photos, U:\Downloads, U:\Shared, etc.
• Drive‑letter reservations you already mentioned:
  • Keep F: reserved for external DVD (you said F is your DVD letter).
  • Keep G: reserved for Google Drive (you said G is Google).
  • Pick one letter for OneDrive (O: or X. I suggest O: for OneDrive (logical), but you don’t have to — consistency is what matters.
• Benefits:
  • No frequent resizing required.
  • Easy to browse and back up files per folder.
  • System images sit in dedicated partitions and won’t mix with everyday files.
• If you later find you need separate mountable volumes for each “data chunk,” you can create VHDX files on U: and mount them as fixed drives (easy and reversible) — avoids repartitioning and works around some USB-enclosure quirks. (I can show the one‑click VHDX GUI steps later.

Option B — If you really want many separate small volumes

• Layout example:
  1) 3 × 256 GB for images (as above)
  2) Several 32–64 GB partitions for documents, downloads, photos, apps, backups, etc. e.g. H: Documents 64 GB, I: Photos 256 GB (if photos large), J: Downloads 64 GB, K: Media 128 GB, L: Shared 256 GB — adjust to your needs
• Caveats:
  • You risk running out of space on one partition while others have free space. Repartitioning later requires backups and is more effort.
  • Windows and some tools can be fussy if the external enclosure reports as “removable” — you may hit multi‑partition quirks (VHDX can avoid that).
• Use this only if you really prefer distinct drive letters for each data type.

Practical suggestions for sizing the data chunks

• Before finalizing sizes, run File Explorer on each laptop and note actual used sizes for Documents, Photos, Downloads, etc. You mentioned you’ll do that — good plan.
• Tip: give each data partition at least 25–50% headroom above current usage to avoid frequent resizing. Photos and media often grow fastest — allocate larger to that folder.

File system and formatting

• System image partitions and Data partitions: format NTFS (handles large VHD/VHDX and image files).
• No need for FAT32 on this drive if you use a small separate USB stick for boot/WinPE (which you plan to do).

Drive letters and consistency

• Keep F: (DVD), G: (Google) reserved across all family laptops. Pick O: for OneDrive (or another letter you prefer) and note it in a short family doc so everyone uses the same mapping.
• Suggested image letters: R:, S:, T:. Data = U:. (I chose letters away from common defaults so Windows is less likely to reassign them, but you can pick others.

How I’ll help when the drive arrives

• When you have the new drive: run SeaTools Quick SMART + Short Test and post “I’m ready — SeaTools OK.” I’ll walk you step‑by‑step in Disk Management (GUI) to:
  • Initialize GPT, create the partitions, assign the letters and labels, and quick‑format NTFS.
  • Verify everything and give the chkdsk sanity check command to run.
  • Optionally show how to create/mount a VHDX if you later prefer virtual volumes.

One more practical note

• If you choose Option A (recommended), you get the simplicity of one big data area (easy to browse/backup) and three dedicated image areas (easy to manage and restore). If later you discover a specific partition is too small, create a VHDX inside Data rather than resize partitions.

Which do you prefer now — Option A (single large Data partition + 3 × 256 GB images — recommended) or Option B (many small separate data partitions)? Say which and I’ll prepare the exact Disk Management GUI steps we’ll run when you’re ready.

 

[Zevik83]

I'll have to study this in more detail tomorrow - getting late here and I be weary. But I am liking your Option A idea best. And no problem reassigning the DVD F: drive to some other letter that you nthink fits better - maybe the original D: for DVD makes best sense aftern all !!

So I'm ready to ponder your proposed drive letter scheme - but I'll only be able to get back to read it in ~15 hours time ! Nighty night.

 

[ChatGPT]

Sounds good — Option A is a tidy, flexible choice and D: for the internal DVD makes perfect sense. Sleep well — we’ll pick this up when you’re ready.
Quick summary / what I’ll do next when you return

• You prefer Option A (3 × 256 GB image partitions + one large NTFS Data partition). Good choice.
• When your Ultra Touch arrives and you’ve run SeaTools, post here: “I’m ready — SeaTools OK.” I’ll then:
  1) Walk you step‑by‑step in Disk Management (one click at a time).
  2) Initialize GPT, create the 3 image partitions + Data, assign letters you confirm (we can use D: for DVD, G: Google, pick O: for OneDrive or another letter you prefer), quick‑format NTFS and verify.
  3) Run a quick chkdsk sanity check and show how to safely eject.
• If anything changes (want more small partitions, want VHDX instead, or want me to prefill diskpart script), say so and I’ll prepare it.

Rest now — ping me when you’re up and ready and we’ll do this together. Nighty night.

 

[Zevik83]

New day, refreshed mind. Option A makes no sense mto me bec. e.g. U/Documents has to have 3 more folders, one for each laptop.

So, I want Option B refined as follows - 3 x 256G for each laptop System Image, 3 x 128G for each laptops Docs, Photos etc. D: for DVD, F for Onedrive amnd then

F

 

[ChatGPT]

Perfect — thanks for the clarification. I’m reading your refinement as: create three 256 GB partitions (one per laptop) for System Images, and three 128 GB partitions (one per laptop) for that laptop’s Documents/Photos/etc. — plus additional partition(s) for shared data and “overflow.” I’ll give a clean, practical layout, the exact diskpart script you can run (replace the disk number), GUI alternative steps, and short pre/post checks. I’ll also show suggested drive letters that avoid the letters you’re already using (D: for DVD, F: for OneDrive, G: for Google).
Quick note on safety and background

• Initialize the new disk as GPT (recommended for 2 TB). Run SeaTools SMART + Short test first and confirm the drive is healthy. These sanity steps are in the plan I gave earlier.

A — Proposed partition layout (Option B refined)
(Everything below assumes the disk is EMPTY / you’re OK erasing it.
Partition order on disk (left → right) — simplest to manage and fast to restore:
1) Image_Dell1 — 256 GB — holds Dell i7 Pro image. (e.g., letter R
2) Image_Dell2 — 256 GB — holds Dell i7 Home image. (e.g., letter S
3) Image_Lenovo — 256 GB — holds Ideapad image. (e.g., letter T
4) Docs_Dell1 — 128 GB — Documents/Photos/Downloads for Dell i7 Pro. (e.g., U
5) Docs_Dell2 — 128 GB — Documents/Photos/Downloads for Dell i7 Home. (e.g., V
6) Docs_Lenovo — 128 GB — Documents/Photos/Downloads for Ideapad. (e.g., W
7) Shared / Media / Extras — remaining space (~848 GB on a 2 TB drive) — one large NTFS partition for common data, extra backups, large photos, videos, rotated images, etc. (e.g., X
Why this order?

• System images are first (sequential blocks) so restore tools see them quickly and they are logically grouped.
• Per‑laptop data follows that image so each laptop’s image + data are near each other.
• One large Shared partition avoids wasted space and the need to repartition if one small partition fills up. (If you still prefer many tiny data partitions, we can add more 32–64 GB partitions instead — just tell me.

Suggested drive‑letter reservations / mapping

• D: — internal DVD (you can keep or reassigned; you said D was original and OK).
• F: — OneDrive (you requested F for OneDrive).
• G: — Google Drive (keep G reserved).
• Then use these for the new Seagate: R: Image_Dell1, S: Image_Dell2, T: Image_Lenovo, U: Docs_Dell1, V: Docs_Dell2, W: Docs_Lenovo, X: Shared.
• Notes: you can pick different letters — the important thing is consistency across all family laptops (assign the same letter the first time you plug the drive into each PC via Disk Management → Change Drive Letter).

B — DiskPart script (exact; replace X with disk number)

• Sizes in MB: 256 GB = 262144 MB, 128 GB = 131072 MB.
• WARNING: these commands erase the selected disk. Double‑check disk number from diskpart → list disk before running clean. See safety notes below. This script is ready to paste into an elevated Command Prompt after you confirm the disk number.

Open Admin Command Prompt, then run these commands:
diskpart
list disk
select disk X <-- REPLACE X with the Seagate disk number shown by list disk
clean <-- WARNING: erases the disk
convert gpt
create partition primary size=262144
format fs=ntfs quick label=Image_Dell1
assign letter=R
create partition primary size=262144
format fs=ntfs quick label=Image_Dell2
assign letter=S
create partition primary size=262144
format fs=ntfs quick label=Image_Lenovo
assign letter=T
create partition primary size=131072
format fs=ntfs quick label=Docs_Dell1
assign letter=U
create partition primary size=131072
format fs=ntfs quick label=Docs_Dell2
assign letter=V
create partition primary size=131072
format fs=ntfs quick label=Docs_Lenovo
assign letter=W
create partition primary <-- use remaining space
format fs=ntfs quick label=Shared
assign letter=X
exit
If any "create partition primary size=..." fails because the disk usable space is slightly smaller, omit the last 256/128 step and let the final "create partition primary" use whatever remains (diskpart will accept it). The same diskpart approach and safety tips I gave earlier still apply.
C — GUI alternative (Disk Management) — if you prefer point‑and‑click

1. Connect the drive to USB 3.0. Right‑click Start → Disk Management. If prompted, Initialize Disk → GUID Partition Table (GPT).
2. Right‑click unallocated → New Simple Volume → set size = 262144 MB → assign letter R: → format NTFS, label = Image_Dell1 → Finish.
3. Repeat for next two 256 GB volumes (S:, T.
4. Repeat three times for 128 GB volumes (U:, V:, W.
5. For the remainder, create one New Simple Volume, format NTFS, assign X:.
6. Confirm each volume shows Healthy / NTFS. If Disk Management refuses (enclosure reports removable), see the VHDX workaround below. The GUI steps mirror the diskpart plan above.

D — Quick pre‑checks before you partition (must do)

• Run Seagate SeaTools: SMART + Short/Quick tests. If SeaTools reports problems, return/exchange the drive.
• Confirm the drive shows as a fixed disk (not "removable"). In an elevated PowerShell run:
  Get-Disk | Format-Table Number,FriendlyName,BusType,PartitionStyle,Size,IsRemovable -Auto
  If IsRemovable = True, tell me and I’ll give the VHDX workaround (or we’ll use a single RECIMAGE partition + VHDX files) — some enclosures behave oddly with many real partitions.

E — After partitioning: quick checks & best practice

• chkdsk on each new volume: chkdsk R: /f (repeat for S:, T:, U:, V:, W:, X.
• Label each partition physically in Explorer (right‑click → Properties) and also keep a small README.txt on X: that documents which letter holds each laptop image and which letters are reserved (D:, F:, G.
• Keep a small 32 GB USB boot stick with Media Creation Tool and test that it boots on at least one laptop before you need it. Don’t rely on the big drive to be the boot stick — you said you’ll use USB sticks for boot/rescue.

F — If Windows treats the enclosure as "removable" (workaround)

• Option 1 (easy): Use a single per‑laptop data partition + create VHDX files inside it (each VHDX mounted as a fixed virtual disk for File History/backup). Creating VHDX avoids the multi‑partition removable quirk. I described the VHDX GUI steps earlier and can walk you through them.
• Option 2: Buy an enclosure/drive that reports as “fixed” (most brand portable HDDs do), but check with Get‑Disk first.

G — When you’re ready I’ll do the safe prep for you

• When the Ultra Touch arrives:
  1. Run SeaTools and post “SeaTools OK.”
  2. Plug the drive in and run (as Admin) diskpart → list disk and paste the output here; I will fill in the disk number and return the exact diskpart script ready to paste. That avoids any risk of selecting the wrong disk. (I offered the same safe prefill earlier.

H — Extra notes / small tips

• Keep at least one extra copy of very critical images offsite or on another external drive. Hard drives fail and a second copy is inexpensive insurance.
• If ever you want small extra logical “folders” per laptop instead of fixed 128 GB partitions, use the Shared partition (X and create per‑laptop folders with quotas if needed (or mount NTFS folders with access permissions). That is simpler than many small partitions.
• If you want, I can also produce a ready-to-paste PowerShell one‑liner to create VHDX files and mount them for each laptop instead of separate physical partitions.

Do you want me to

• A) Pre‑fill the diskpart script for you now (paste diskpart → list disk output) so the script is ready to paste, or
• B) Wait until you’ve run SeaTools and then walk you step‑by‑step via the GUI (I’ll post one click at a time and wait for your “Done/Next”)?

Say A or B and I’ll get the next action ready.

 

[Zevik83]

I was still working on last msg and somehow posted it accidentally before I had finished. So here are the drives I propose.

J: Label Dell_W - 256G System Image
K: Label Dell_S - 256G SI
L: Label Lenovo - 256G SI
M: Label Data_W - 128G Docs etc
N: Label Data_S - 128G Docs etc
O: Label Data_L - 128G Docs etc

The Lenovo laptop has the largest amount of data total about 30G, so 128G has plenty of room for more data.

Rest of available volume left Unallocated for future playing, with plenty of alphabetic letters for future volumes.

Once set up, I'll just use File Explorer to Cut and Paste Docs etc with Seagate attached in turn to each laptop.

 

[ChatGPT]

Sorry, I could not generate a response at this time.

 

[Zevik83]

OK - you'll respond later. All that scripting in your last response has me terrified. Never done anything like it before - way beyond my capabilities and understanding of the message. I hope we can find a simpler way to do all this. Hear back from you in due course.

 

[ChatGPT]

Hi Zevik83 — good call. No scripting needed — we can do this entirely with Windows’ graphical tools. Below are simple, safe steps you can follow. Tell me the exact partition sizes and whether you need the drive usable on Macs (exFAT) or only Windows (NTFS), and I’ll give the exact numbers to type.
Important (please read first)

• Back up anything on the drive first — initializing/creating partitions will erase data.
• These instructions assume Windows 11 on a typical external (fixed) USB drive. If the drive is currently shown as “removable” by Windows, Disk Management sometimes won’t let you create multiple partitions; I’ll give a workaround if that happens.

Step-by-step (Disk Management — no scripting)

1. Plug the 2TB USB drive into the PC.
2. Open Disk Management:
   • Right‑click the Start button and choose Disk Management.
3. If Windows shows an “Initialize Disk” dialog right away:
   • Select the disk and choose GPT (GUID Partition Table). Click OK.
4. If no dialog appears, find the correct disk in the lower pane (Disk 1, Disk 2, etc.. Confirm by size (2 TB).
   • If it says “Basic, Unknown, Not Initialized” — right‑click the disk label (where it says Disk 1) → Initialize Disk → choose GPT → OK.
5. If the disk already has partitions you don’t want:
   • Right‑click each partition on that disk → Delete Volume (this erases those partitions). After deleting, you should see the whole disk as Unallocated.
6. Create the first partition:
   • Right‑click the Unallocated area → New Simple Volume → Next.
   • Volume size: enter the size in MB you want for this partition (or use the slider). Example: for a 1 TB partition enter 1,048,576 MB (I can calculate exact MBs for any sizes you want).
   • Assign a drive letter (or accept the default) → Next.
   • Format this volume: choose NTFS (for Windows) or exFAT (if you need Mac/Windows compatibility). Check “Perform a quick format.” Give it a Volume label (name) → Next → Finish.
7. Repeat to create the second (and any additional) partition(s):
   • The remaining space will be Unallocated — right‑click → New Simple Volume and repeat the steps.
8. When finished, both partitions will appear with drive letters in File Explorer.

Notes and common questions

• NTFS is best for Windows-only use (supports large files and security). exFAT is good if you need to read/write on macOS too (but no file permissions).
• If Disk Management will not let you create more than one partition because Windows is treating the disk as “Removable”, tell me what you see in Disk Management (does the disk header say “Removable?”). If so, solutions include using a different USB enclosure or a small free utility that can make the disk appear as fixed. I’ll walk you through that if it happens.
• If you want me to give the exact MB numbers to enter for specific sizes (e.g., 1 TB + 500 GB + leftover), tell me the sizes and I’ll convert them so you can copy/paste.

If you want, tell me:

• Do you want two equal partitions (1 TB + 1 TB) or different sizes? If different, give sizes (GB).
• Should partitions be NTFS or exFAT?
• Is there any data on the drive now you need to keep?

I’ll wait for your answers and then give the exact numbers and any extra screenshots/clarifications you want.

 

[Zevik83]

Your latest response very helpful re detailing step by steps I need top follow. This will be a brand-new Seagate Ultra Touch 2TB USB fresh out of the box. Windows only - never had any Apple/Mac users in the family situation described in my first Scenario post.

 

[ChatGPT]

Great — that plan looks good and we’ll keep this entirely GUI-based (no scripting). Below are short, safe, copy‑pasteable instructions you can follow once your new Seagate Ultra Touch 2 TB is plugged in. I used the drive letters/labels you posted (J:, K:, L:, M:, N:, O and included the exact MB numbers to type for each size so Disk Management shows the sizes you want. If you prefer, I’ll walk you through each click live when you’re at the PC — say “I’m ready” and I’ll wait after every click.
Important first checks (do these before partitioning)

• Run Seagate SeaTools Quick SMART + Short/Quick drive test on the new Seagate. If it fails, stop and return/exchange the drive.
• Backups: the drive is new, so no data to save — good. Still follow SeaTools first.

Your partition plan (as you posted)

• J: Dell_W — 256 GB (label Dell_W)
• K: Dell_S — 256 GB (label Dell_S)
• L: Lenovo — 256 GB (label Lenovo)
• M: Data_W — 128 GB (label Data_W)
• N: Data_S — 128 GB (label Data_S)
• O: Data_L — 128 GB (label Data_L)
• Keep the rest unallocated for future use.

Exact size numbers to type in Disk Management

• 256 GB = 262,144 MB.
• 128 GB = 131,072 MB.

Step‑by‑step (Disk Management — GUI only)

1. Plug the Seagate into a USB 3.0 port (use the cable that came with it, no hub).
2. Run SeaTools and confirm the drive passes the Quick SMART + Short test. Stop if it fails.
3. Right‑click Start → Disk Management. If an “Initialize Disk” prompt appears immediately: choose GUID Partition Table (GPT) and click OK. GPT is the correct choice for a new 2 TB drive.
4. If no prompt: in the lower pane find the new disk (Disk 1 / Disk 2 — confirm by size ~1.8–1.9 TB usable). Right‑click the disk label (where it says Disk X) → Initialize Disk → select GPT → OK.
5. Right‑click the large Unallocated area → New Simple Volume → Next.
   • In “Specify volume size” type 262144 (this makes 256 GB) → Next.
   • Assign the drive letter J: (or choose it when prompted) → Next.
   • Format as NTFS, Allocation unit size = Default, Volume label = Dell_W, Quick Format checked → Next → Finish.
6. Repeat step 5 for the next two 256 GB volumes, using 262144 MB and assigning K: (Dell_S) and L: (Lenovo).
7. For the three 128 GB data volumes: New Simple Volume → type 131072 MB → assign M:, N:, O: with labels Data_W, Data_S, Data_L (format NTFS, quick format).
8. Leave any remaining space Unallocated (or create another partition later). Confirm all new volumes show NTFS — Healthy and have the letters you chose.
9. Optional sanity check: open an elevated Command Prompt and run chkdsk J: /f (repeat for each new letter) to verify the filesystems. Then eject safely before unplugging.

If Disk Management refuses to create multiple partitions

• Some external enclosures report the physical disk as “removable,” and Windows’ Disk Management will not allow multiple partitions on removable drives. If you see the disk header say “Removable” or you cannot create more than one partition, we have two easy options: a) use a different USB enclosure/cable that reports the drive as fixed, or b) use the VHDX workaround (create NTFS on one large partition and then create fixed VHDX files for the smaller “drives”). I can walk you through the VHDX method step‑by‑step; it’s reversible and GUI‑friendly.

A couple of final tips

• When assigning letters, pick the letters you want during the New Simple Volume wizard so they match your plan. Windows will let you change them later (right‑click the volume → Change Drive Letter and Paths).
• Keep the SeaTools report in case you need an RMA later.

Would you like me to:

• Walk you through the Disk Management GUI step‑by‑step live when you have the drive (I’ll wait after each click)? — OR —
• Prepare a one‑click checklist you can follow on your own?

Say “I’m ready” when you’re at the PC (after SeaTools OK) and I’ll guide you click‑by‑click.

 

[Zevik83]

I'm ready. Passed the Quick Test. Where do I find Quick nSmartt. On Advanced Tab, I see
Lnf Self Test
:Long Generic Test
2 minute generic test.

One opf those ?

 

[ChatGPT]

Good — thanks, and nice work running the Quick Test. In SeaTools you want two quick checks: the SMART (health) check, then a short/quick drive self‑test. If the SMART check looks OK and the short test passes, we’re good to proceed with partitioning.
Which buttons to use (steps)

1. Open SeaTools for Windows and select the Seagate drive from the list.
2. Run the SMART/Quick SMART (often shown as “SMART Check”, “S.M.A.R.T.” or “Quick SMART”) — this reports the drive’s health attributes (reallocated sectors, pending sectors, etc.. If SeaTools shows any reallocated/pending sectors or a SMART failure, stop and return/exchange the drive.
3. After SMART, run the short/quick test. In your Advanced tab the “2 minute generic test” (or an item labelled “Short Drive Self Test” / “Short Generic Test”) is the quick one — that’s the test we want. The “Long” / “Long Generic” is the extended test and takes much longer — not necessary now.

What to report back

• If SMART shows PASS (no reallocated/pending sectors) and the 2‑minute/Short test reports PASS, reply here with: “I’m ready — SeaTools OK.” I’ll then walk you step‑by‑step through Disk Management.
• If either SMART or the short test reports FAIL or shows reallocated/pending sectors, tell me the exact message (or paste a short screenshot) and do not proceed with partitioning — we’ll arrange return/exchange.

If you prefer, tell me exactly what the SeaTools result text says (or paste a quick screenshot) and I’ll confirm.

 

[Zevik83]

I don't see SMART on the Sea Tools window.

I repeat, available Helth .. Extended Tests are
Lng Self Test
Long Generic Test
2 Minute Generic

No SMART at all.

 

[ChatGPT]

Good — thanks for the screenshot of what you see. Short answer: run the "2 Minute Generic" (that’s the short/quick drive self‑test). SeaTools sometimes labels the quick test as “2 Minute Generic” or “Short/Generic” — that’s the one we want now.
Why you might not see a separate “SMART” button

• SeaTools shows SMART info only when the drive (or the USB‑to‑SATA bridge in the enclosure) exposes SMART to Windows. Many portable USB enclosures do NOT pass SMART data, so SeaTools won’t show a SMART item even though the drive itself supports SMART. If the SMART view is missing, that’s normal for some USB drives and enclosures.

What to do now (very small set of steps)

1. In SeaTools: run the 2 Minute Generic test (your Short/Quick test). That’s the short health check we need. If it PASSes, we’re fine to move on. If it FAILs, stop and don’t partition — tell me the exact SeaTools message and we’ll arrange return/exchange.
2. If you want a SMART readout and SeaTools didn’t show SMART, two easy checks:
   • Open an elevated PowerShell and run:
     Get-Disk | Format-Table Number,FriendlyName,BusType,PartitionStyle,Size,IsRemovable -Auto
     This shows whether Windows sees the disk as removable (which explains missing SMART and may affect multi‑partition behavior).
   • If you want SMART specifically, you can try a tool like CrystalDiskInfo (portable) — it sometimes shows SMART for USB drives if the bridge supports it. If it still shows nothing, the enclosure is blocking SMART and that’s expected.

What to report back

• After you run the 2 Minute Generic test tell me: “2‑minute test PASS” (or paste the exact message if it failed). Also paste the one‑line output from the PowerShell Get‑Disk command above (or tell me if IsRemovable = True). Then I’ll give the next Disk Management click and we’ll proceed.

Say “2‑minute test PASS — Get‑Disk output here” when you have both and I’ll walk you through the first Disk Management click.

 

[Zevik83]

Passed Seagateb 2 Minute, Closed Sea Tools. Started Disk Management.

:Left-most window 1i863.02GB Online
1863.02 GB exFat Healthy Primary Partition. Dark Blue for SAllocated

 

[ChatGPT]

Perfect — thanks for the update and the Disk Management description.
Short summary of what you see

• The drive is currently one large exFAT primary partition (~1863.02 GB) that takes the whole disk. That’s normal for new Seagate portable drives; they often ship preformatted as exFAT.

Before we do anything

• Deleting the exFAT partition will erase everything on the drive. That’s OK since the drive is new, but please confirm you’re ready to wipe it. Do you want the partitions formatted as NTFS for Windows-only use? (I assume “Yes” from earlier — confirm.

If you confirm, follow these GUI steps in Disk Management (I’ll wait at each step if you want me to guide you live)

1. Delete the existing partition (to get Unallocated space)
   • Right‑click the large exFAT partition → Delete Volume → Yes to confirm. The disk should become Unallocated (black). (This erases the drive.
2. (Optional but recommended) Convert the disk to GPT
   • Right‑click the disk label on the left (where it says Disk X) → If the option Convert to GPT is available, click it. If it’s greyed out the disk is already GPT. (You can also check: right‑click the disk label → Properties → Volumes tab → Partition style shows MBR or GUID (GPT).
3. Create the partitions (exact MB values to type)
   • Right‑click the Unallocated area → New Simple Volume → Next.
   • In “Specify volume size” type 262144 (this equals 256 GB) → Next.
   • Assign drive letter J: → Next.
   • Format as: NTFS, Allocation unit size = Default, Volume label = Dell_W, Quick Format checked → Next → Finish.
4. Repeat for the next two 256 GB volumes
   • Use 262144 MB, assign K: label Dell_S, and L: label Lenovo (NTFS, quick format).
5. Create the three 128 GB data volumes
   • New Simple Volume → size = 131072 MB (that’s 128 GB) → assign M:, N:, O: with labels Data_W, Data_S, Data_L (NTFS, quick format).
6. Leave the remaining space unallocated for future use (or create another partition later).
   • After creating those six volumes you should still have ~711 GB left as unallocated on a 2 TB drive formatted/displayed as ~1863 GB — that’s expected because Windows reports binary GiB.

Quick checks / troubleshooting

• If New Simple Volume fails when creating a second or later partition, tell me the exact error. A common problem is the enclosure reporting the disk as “removable.” To check, open an elevated PowerShell and run:
  Get-Disk | Format-Table Number,FriendlyName,BusType,PartitionStyle,Size,IsRemovable -Auto
  If IsRemovable = True, we’ll use the VHDX workaround or you can use a different enclosure.
• After formatting, run chkdsk on each new letter once (Admin CMD): chkdsk J: /f (repeat) to confirm the filesystem is OK.
• Safely eject the drive when done.

If you want me to walk you step‑by‑step here, say “Do step 1” after you confirm you’re happy to erase the current exFAT partition and that you want NTFS for the new volumes. I’ll wait for your “Done/Next” after each click.

 

[Zevik83]

GPT done. Drive J and K are done. I am on my way and will get back only if I run into trouble.

 

[ChatGPT]

Nice work — thanks for the quick update and for getting J: and K: created.
Short status checklist and safe next steps

• What you described (one big exFAT partition originally, then GPT + J: and K: NTFS created) is expected for a new Seagate that shipped preformatted as exFAT; converting/partitioning to GPT + NTFS is the right approach for Windows-only use.
• Next (when you’re ready): create L: (256 GB / 262,144 MB), then M:, N:, O: (each 128 GB / 131,072 MB) with the same New Simple Volume → NTFS → Quick Format steps. That follows the Disk Management GUI flow we used for J/K.

Quick post‑partition checks (do these after you finish creating volumes)

• Run chkdsk on each new volume once from an elevated Command Prompt (for example: chkdsk J: /f, then K:, L:, M:, N:, O to confirm the file systems are healthy.
• Safely eject the drive (Safely Remove Hardware) before unplugging. Keep the SeaTools short test result or note that it passed in case you need warranty/RMA later.

If you hit any problem creating the remaining partitions

• Common cause: the enclosure reports the disk as “removable,” which can block multiple partitions. If you see a failure or an error, run this in an elevated PowerShell and paste the one‑line output here:
  Get-Disk | Format-Table Number,FriendlyName,BusType,PartitionStyle,Size,IsRemovable -Auto
  If IsRemovable = True we’ll either use the VHDX workaround (create fixed VHDX files on a single NTFS partition) or you can use a different enclosure — I’ll walk you through either method.

Anything else you want me to do now?

• I can wait while you create L:, M:, N:, O: and check chkdsk, or I can stand by in case an error appears — up to you. If all finished without trouble, tell me “All done” and I’ll give one quick final checklist (chkdsk done, letters correct, leave rest unallocated).