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Keep in mind that the following illustrations are simplified in the interest of clarity and do not reflect the exact partition layout that you encounter when actually installing {PRODUCT}.
Using Unpartitioned Free Space
In this situation, the partitions already defined do not span the entire hard disk, leaving unallocated space that is not part of any defined partition. xref:figu-partitions-unused-space[Disk Drive with Unpartitioned Free Space], shows what this might look like.
Disk Drive with Unpartitioned Free Space
Image of a disk drive with unpartitioned free space
partitions/unpart-space.png
In the above example, `1` represents an undefined partition with unallocated space and `2` represents a defined partition with allocated space.
An unused hard disk also falls into this category. The only difference is that *all* the space is not part of any defined partition.
In any case, you can create the necessary partitions from the unused space. Unfortunately, this scenario, although very simple, is not very likely (unless you have just purchased a new disk just for {PRODUCT}). Most pre-installed operating systems are configured to take up all available space on a disk drive (see xref:sect-disk-partitions-active-partition[Using Free Space from an Active Partition]).
Using Space from an Unused Partition
In this case, maybe you have one or more partitions that you do not use any longer. xref:figu-partitions-unused-partition[Disk Drive with an Unused Partition], illustrates such a situation.
Disk Drive with an Unused Partition
Image of a disk drive with an unused partition
partitions/unused-partition.png
In the above example, `1` represents an unused partition and `2` represents reallocating an unused partition for Linux.
In this situation, you can use the space allocated to the unused partition. You first must delete the partition and then create the appropriate Linux partition(s) in its place. You can delete the unused partition and manually create new partitions during the installation process.
Using Free Space from an Active Partition
This is the most common situation. It is also, unfortunately, the hardest to handle. The main problem is that, even if you have enough free space, it is presently allocated to a partition that is already in use. If you purchased a computer with pre-installed software, the hard disk most likely has one massive partition holding the operating system and data.
Aside from adding a new hard drive to your system, you have two choices:
*Destructive Repartitioning*
In this case, the single large partition is deleted and several smaller ones are created instead. Any data held in the original partition is destroyed. This means that making a complete backup is necessary. It is highly recommended to make two backups, use verification (if available in your backup software), and try to read data from the backup *before* deleting the partition.
If an operating system was installed on that partition, it must be reinstalled if you want to use that system as well. Be aware that some computers sold with pre-installed operating systems may not include the installation media to reinstall the original operating system. You should check whether this applies to your system is *before* you destroy your original partition and its operating system installation.
After creating a smaller partition for your existing operating system, you can reinstall software, restore your data, and start the installation. xref:figu-partitions-destructive-repartitioning[Disk Drive Being Destructively Repartitioned] shows this being done.
Disk Drive Being Destructively Repartitioned
Image of a disk drive being destructively repartitioned
partitions/dstrct-reprt.png
In the above example, `1` represents before and `2` represents after.
Any data previously present in the original partition is lost.
*Non-Destructive Repartitioning*
With non-destructive repartitioning you execute a program that makes a big partition smaller without losing any of the files stored in that partition. This method is usually reliable, but can be very time-consuming on large drives.
While the process of non-destructive repartitioning is rather straightforward, there are three steps involved:

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In this situation, you can use the space allocated to the unused partition. You first must delete the partition and then create the appropriate Linux partition(s) in its place. You can delete the unused partition and manually create new partitions during the installation process.
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type: Plain text
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read-only
Source string location
./pages/appendixes/Disk_Partitions.adoc:232
String age
4 years ago
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a year ago
Source string age
4 years ago
Translation file
pot/f32/pages/appendixes/Disk_Partitions.pot, string 92