Windows 7: Windows seven installed on a single partition?

My computer repairman reformatted my hard drive and re-installed Windows 7 on a single partition. Isn't the system supposed to be in its own partition? Will I be abl to run updates, backups and restore to factory settings with win 7 on a single partition? What issues may I face? Thank you very much for all the help.

Windows 7 includes a utlity that will allow you to shrink the volume and then you can create another partition if you want. Just use Disk Management and right click on the current partition to find the 'Shrink Volume...' option.

I am no expert, but I don't believe running updates, backups or restores on a single partition causes any problems. As always, make regular backups.

Here is a good link on the process.

Easily Shrink a Volume on a Windows 7 Disk

There won't be any issues.

By default - that is, if Windows Setup sees no partitions on the harddisk - it will create a small 100MB system partition and a larger one to install itself into. The system partition then holds a few boot files needed for Windows to start.
The advantage of this scenario is that you can install other operating systems in logical partitions, which will all boot via the system partition.

In your case, the boot files simply share the same partition with Windows. There's no disadvantage, except if you install other Windows versions separately, they'll place their boot files on your current Windows partition.

Anything within Windows (updates, system restore, etc.) is not affected at all.

Did you make the OEM manufacturer's Recovery Disks?



Why was the Recovery partition removed?

Thanks everybody,

I greatly appreciate all of your answers. I don't know why the back up partition was removed. He did a clean install and I suppose he did not create any partitions for simpliciies sake. It is running good now and I will use the links provided as a guide in creating a backup plan.

Again, thank you all very much!

You can no longer restore to Factory condition unless you made the Recovery disks ahead, or order them from Tech Support.

But saving a Windows 7 backup image externally is actually a better backup method anyway since it can restore the HD (or its replacement if necessary) in minutes using the Repair CD or Windows 7 DVD Repair Console with your own personal installation. Here is how to save and reimage with Windows 7 backup imaging:
Backup Complete Computer - Create an Image Backup
System Image Recovery