Question 1

how do we go about partitioning and formatting the drive, or does that come with the drive itself?

Accepted Answer

When you install windows, you have an option to eithet create a new partition along an already existing one, which the installer will walk you through, or to clear everything from the drive and create a new partition from the formatted drive. 
Either way, Windows will have a wizzard to do it for you.

Question 2

Will Western Digital make Acronis True Image software available at no additional cost for this hard drive?  Their site indicates they will, but want to be sure.

Accepted Answer

Yes. There are other Free Options which are better and easier to use.

Questions & Answers