Will Microsoft steal my Windows 7? Why I'm worried.

groze said:

Just for info I have read windows could be installed on a logical partition but the windows boot files must remain on a primary partition.

That sounds believable to me. :)

Adams Seven said:

I also haven't found a good method of cloning the dual boot drive, but that's stuff for another, separate post!

Have you tried Macrium Reflect?

I don't Clone drives, however I have had no issues Creating/Restoring Linux partitions on:

• My dual boot setup (W7, LM17.2)
• My triple boot setup (XP, W7, LM17.2)

ignatzatsonic said:

...I did not have the nerve to put another OS on the same drive as Windows...

If you made an image (preferably with Macrium Reflect) before trying to put a second OS on the same drive as windows, you could then restore the drive if something should go horribly wrong. I don't make any changes or install updates without making an image first and making sure my data is also backed up. It only takes 10 minutes for Macrium Reflect to backup my System files (it can be doing that by itself while I do something else) and I need to keep my data backed up frequently anyway (I normally backup daily anyway).

Windows operating systems prior to Windows 7 require a primary partition for the actual OS files. I think it was also possible with Vista but have not any experience with this, I know it is possible with Windows7+ through personal experience

The system partition must be on a primary partition. The system partition is normally less than 1GB (windows 7 used to create on of 100MB, Windows8+ create larger system partitions as they also use this for recovery media).

The system partition is not normally allocated a drive letter by windows. As long as the partition contains the correct flags it will work, (indeed, in my experience, is is safer to not allocate a drive letter to your system "drive", (partition)


Here's an old example ...



IIRC the main system on that system was Vista, the system files were on the same partition and the various Windows 7 Pre-Beta systems were in the logical partition, and there was also a Linux OS running as part of the multi-boot from the windows system partition although the partitions do not show correctly within windows, (the rightmost two partitions are the Linux and Linux scratch "drives")

I have to agree with Jeannie when she quoted Ignatzsonic

I did not have the nerve to put another OS on the same drive as Windows.

Personally I make a clone of the original drive (that is use) and then use the clone drive to play around with the new set up or as just recently that 10 thing. If the set up goes pear shaped then one only needs to swap back in the original drive with 7 on it.

Now there are those who I am sure will say thats ok for those who can afford it but in view that spinners are now quite cheap and I know slower but surely it is worth the effort and avoid trashing the system one had set up. There is quite a flood of members right now who have their system up the proverbial creek after trying that OS out and try get back to 7.

The other thing I will say is I did post a thread the other day - I don't know where it went but it had an article in Leo Notenboom's newsletter that had a discussion going re privacy issues in Windows 10 and frankly I found the material being discussed quite frightening.

I don't know about anyone else but in my simple mind both Microsoft and Intel are developing technologies that once tested and released then dictate what we as the consumer can do with their technologies. For example one only has to recall the rise of the i* cores of Intel and their chipsets to see that as each one emerges the older types / versions are rapidly dropped both by support from those two giant companies and leaves consumers like myself right now with the only option I have of replacing my Ivy Bridge board is to go Skylake.



If anyone would like to see that Leo Notenboom article PM me and I will give you the link.

ICIT2LOL said:

I have to agree with Jeannie when she quoted Ignatzsonic

I did not have the nerve to put another OS on the same drive as Windows.

Personally I make a clone of the original drive (that is use) and then use the clone drive to play around with the new set up or as just recently that 10 thing. If the set up goes pear shaped then one only needs to swap back in the original drive with 7 on it.

Now there are those who I am sure will say thats ok for those who can afford it but in view that spinners are now quite cheap and I know slower but surely it is worth the effort and avoid trashing the system one had set up. There is quite a flood of members right now who have their system up the proverbial creek after trying that OS out and try get back to 7.


The other thing I will say is I did post a thread the other day - I don't know where it went but it had an article in Leo Notenboom's newsletter that had a discussion going re privacy issues in Windows 10 and frankly I found the material being discussed quite frightening.

I don't know about anyone else but in my simple mind both Microsoft and Intel are developing technologies that once tested and released then dictate what we as the consumer can do with their technologies. For example one only has to recall the rise of the i* cores of Intel and their chipsets to see that as each one emerges the older types / versions are rapidly dropped both by support from those two giant companies and leaves consumers like myself right now with the only option I have of replacing my Ivy Bridge board is to go Skylake.



If anyone would like to see that Leo Notenboom article PM me and I will give you the link.

Cloning is another good way to ensure you can recover from an experiment gone bad but, being the lazy, old bi...broad I am, I would prefer to not have to physically swap out anything (my SSD is a bit difficult to get at). It's just a matter of preference and what one is comfortable with.

I would love to see Leo Notenboom's newsletter but you have your PM turned off.

[Cloning is another good way to ensure you can recover from an experiment gone bad but, being the lazy, old bi...broad I am, I would prefer to not have to physically swap out anything (my SSD is a bit difficult to get at). It's just a matter of preference and what one is comfortable with.

I would love to see Leo Notenboom's newsletter but you have your PM turned off.

Nothing too difficult Jeannie if you check that against a new drive or a wipe and and reinstall etc etc

I will PM that link to you and I don't know why but several have said to me lately they couldn't get through while I have had plenty form others??

I would love to see Leo Notenboom's newsletter but you have your PM turned off

Ok Jeannie I am trying to sort it out as it has been happening a fair bit just lately.

Adam yes mate I just image on a regular basis like I think some might have already mentioned an I do the odd one off's too especially if the machine(s) are playing up in case it is having an issue.