How to move Windows 7 from one partition to another


  1. Posts : 14
    Microsoft Windows 7 Professional 32-bit 7601 Multiprocessor Free Service Pack 1
       #1

    How to move Windows 7 from one partition to another


    I need help to move My Windows 7 installation from Drive F to Drive C without loosing all my programs and settings.

    I have been running XP on Drive C for what seems like forever, and I wanted to keep it until I was satisfied with the new Windows 7. As it turn out, I really like Win 7 and have not gone back to XP since.

    I see no reason to keep the XP installation anymore, and I could really use the free disc space that remains after XP is gone. So Here is what I want to do...
    1. Format Drive C
    2. Move Windows 7 from Drive F to Drive C
    3. Merge the remaining empty space on Drive F into Drive C
    4. Get rid of Drive F partition
    Attached is a snapshot of my Drive Management Map

    Any Help would be appreciated
    Attached Thumbnails Attached Thumbnails How to move Windows 7 from one partition to another-disk-management-map.png  
      My Computer

  2.    #2

    The only way to change Win7 from F to C drive is to reinstall. It is stuck with the letter F because its installer was run from XP blocking out the letter C so that Win7 couldn't claim it as it does when it is correctly installed from a booted installer. In that case whichever OS you were booted into would have been lettered C.

    If you don't mind keeping the current install on F you can mark it Active in Disk Mgmt, reboot into the Win7 installer or System Repair Disk to run Startup Repair - Run up to 3 Separate Times until Win7 partition is labeled System Active. You can then safely delete C (after backing up files you need) and if you want resize Win7 partition into its space using Partition Wizard CD Resize Partition - Video Help.
      My Computer


  3. Posts : 14
    Microsoft Windows 7 Professional 32-bit 7601 Multiprocessor Free Service Pack 1
    Thread Starter
       #3

    Thanks gregrocker... I had a feeling I would have to reinstall... But I'm wondering if I can just format Drive C:, do a clean install of Win 7 on it, and then create a disc image of Drive F: with my Backup software, and restore the image to the C: drive. That way, I could avoid having to spend literally Days reinstalling my programs. I could then format the F: drive and use Partition Magic to resize C. Would that be possible?
      My Computer


  4. Posts : 13,576
    Windows 10 Pro x64
       #4

    You could try doing that with the way you have it now. Never tried doing that yet but it could work. Give it a shot.

    Still the best way is to reinstall. You can work on it and still boot into the other 7, when you`re good, just delete F.

    After you delete F you`ll have to run startup repair.

    You do have a windows 7 install disc, correct ?
      My Computer

  5.    #5

    To try that you wouldn't have to reinstall Win7 but use the imaging app's boot disk which gives the best shot at recovering the C letter.

    When it offers the choice of drive letter choose Auto, also a Primary Active partition.

    This will normally allow Win7 to find C to letter itself with, but in this case since it was installed incorrectly from another OS lettered C, I dont' know if it is correctable even by this imaging feature. But as Brian says, you can try.

    Someone else like SIW2 or Wolfgang may already know this doesn't work. I kinda suspect it won't.
      My Computer


 

  Related Discussions
Our Sites
Site Links
About Us
Windows 7 Forums is an independent web site and has not been authorized, sponsored, or otherwise approved by Microsoft Corporation. "Windows 7" and related materials are trademarks of Microsoft Corp.

© Designer Media Ltd
All times are GMT -5. The time now is 02:45.
Find Us