Berlin, 28. October 2008 - With immediate effect, O&O PartitionManager 2 is now available as a new addition to the product range from Berlin-based O&O Software GmbH. Using this product, users can create disks, delete them and either extend or shrink disk size. What sets the product apart is the one-of-a-kind support for all drive types from Vista and Windows XP, including GPT, basic and dynamic disks. O&O PartitionManager 2 contains cutting-edge technology from the multiple award-winning products O&O Defrag, for optimizing disk performance, as well as from O&O SafeErase, for securely deleting sensitive private and company data. O&O PartitionManager can also be used without a running operating system, as it can be started direct from Start CD to make changes to the system partition, for example. The Start CD is based on Windows Preinstallation Environment (PE) and has the familiar look-and-feel of Windows.

O&O PartitionManager 2 Professional Edition costs EUR 49,90 / $ / GBP and is available with immmediate effect from retailers. The upgrade from all popular competing products costs EUR 29,90 /$/GBP.

Secure and reliable hard disk management

The foremost basic prerequisite for professional disk management with the O&O PartitionManager was comprehensive support for disks. Along with MBR disks, the product also supports dynamic and GPT disks, removable disks, USB sticks and memory cards. This enables various types of disks to be created and converted amongst each other, for example dynamic disks can be generated from basic disks, and converted with just a few mouse clicks to dynamic – or “spanned” – disks.

Partitions can also be changed, depending on their size and data allocation. A large partition can be split into numerous smaller ones, for example. First it is shrunk to a minimum size, then the areas that are subsequently freed up are split into smaller partitions.

Integration of cutting-edge O&O technology

O&O PartitionManager 2 contains technology from the multiple award-winning products O&O Defrag and O&O SafeErase.

O&O Defrag has been voted Editor’s Choice many times by both the German and International press. The program produces a sustained increase in hard disk performance. O&O Defrag technology has been integrated into O&O PartitionManager to achieve, amongst other things, the maximum possible shrinkage of partitions.

The inclusion of technology from O&O SafeErase, a product that has won numerous comparison tests worldwide, guarantees the secure deletion of data as well as of free disk space. If a partition is deleted using O&O PartitionManager 2, data can no longer be recovered. This is extremely important, for example when selling a hard disk on to a third party. Deleting the data using the O&O SafeErase technology means the hard disk can be passed on without hesitation – the new owner has no chance of recovering data from it.

Changing the system partition with the Start CD

Changing a system partition is, in most cases, a laborious and restricted process. As a rule, the computer has to be restarted and any work has to be carried out in native mode. With the O&O PartitionManager Start CD, the system partition, depending on its data volume, can be extended, shrunk or moved without restriction. This is because the CD is based on Windows Preinstallation Environment (PE). The Start CD can be used just like Windows, meaning partitions can be changed simply and with the familiar Windows look-and-feel.

Main functions at a glance

• Create, delete, extend and shrink partitions
• One-of-a-kind support of all drive types from Windows Vista and Windows XP, e.g. GPT, basic and dynamic disks
• Contains leading technology from O&O Defrag for optimized partitioning
• Contains leading technology from O&O SafeErase for secure deletion of data
• Start CD based on Windows PE Server 2008
• Supports Vista and Windows XP (32/64-bit)
• Contains numerous system rescue and management functions, such as O&O FileExplorer, O&O RegEditor and O&O CheckDisk

Prices and availability

O&O PartitionManager 2 Professional Edition is available immediately from retailers at a cost of EUR 49,90 /$ / GBP. The upgrade from all popular competing products costs EUR 29,90 / $ / GBP.

The full version can be ordered both from the internet and as a DVD box with printed Handbook from retailers.

Customers can obtain O&O PartitionManager 2 Professional Edition from O&O Partners as well as from retailers. Retailers can obtain O&O PartitionManager 2 Professional Edition from the O&O Authorized Distributors Lifeboat Distribution, Pillar Solutions, Interactive Ideas, Inuit AB and inTechnology. A full list of O&O Authorized Resellers and O&O Authorized Distributors can also be found at http://www.oo-software.com/partner/en/

Interested users can download a free trial version of O&O PartitionManager 2 Professional Edition from the O&O Software website. With the trial version, users can manage partitions easily and quickly on their computer for 30 days, in order to experience for themselves the wide range of functions and features the product has to offer.

Further Information on O&O PartitionManager 2

About O&O Software

O&O Software GmbH has been developing "Tools for Windows" since 1997. Customers include home users, SMEs, public institutions and global business groups. These tools are effectually sold directly and by using our partner network and are available in more than 50 countries. The product portfolio includes applications for performance optimization, system administration, data restoration and the secure deletion of data. O&O products have been judged as technologically leading in numerous tests. You can find more information and free trial versions of all products on our website. O&O's products include O&O BlueCon, O&O CleverCache, O&O Defrag, O&O DiskImage, O&O DiskRecovery, O&O DriveLED, O&O FormatRecovery, O&O MediaRecovery, O&O RescueBox, O&O SafeErase, O&O ToolBox and O&O UnErase.

Press Contact

O&O Software GmbH, Am Borsigturm 48, 13507 Berlin, Germany
Tel.: +49 (0)30 4303 4310, Fax: +49 (0)30 4303 4399
E-mail: press@oo-software.com

Members of the media can find additional information and imagery online in the O&O PressCenter at http://www.oo-software.com/en/press/