how do i remove Windows 7 on my hard drive without loosing my files?

I was previously using the hard drive for my os but I just got an ssd.

the problem is that I do not need the os on my hdd anymore and I want to remove the windows 7 files to make some space.


I cannot reformat the hdd as I store my files on it (on the root directory: videos, torrents, installers, etc...)

I also can't transfer the files to my ssd as the files are way too big and it wont fit.

I do not have any external drive


so how do I remove it?

Sub Styler said:

1. Create a partition in the free space

2. Move the files you want to keep to that new partition
If all required files have been moved Goto 3. else Goto 4.
3. Delete the windows partition and extend the storage partition you just created to fill the whole drive.
4. If the files do not all fit in one go move as many over as you can, resize the partitions again in favour of the storage partition untill all you keepers are on the the new partition.
5. Repeat untill you are ready for step 3.

You will need a partition manager compatible with windows7.

Good luck!

I forgot to say this but the hdd is almost full so I cant make a new partition in it to transfer the data files


would deleting the (Program files, Program files (x86), Users, Windows) enough to remove the os?

are there any hidden files in it?

get aother hdd, it's always a good investment, you can never go wrong on that count... and there are some excellent prices out there...

If you can't afford another HD or external HD, you can upload 7gb free to Skydrive with each Windows Live ID, then delete and gradually resize into the space. You can also delete much of your old Windows folder and Program Files using Take Ownership Shortcut.

Be sure your new Win7 on SSD is marked System Active as it should be if you unplugged the old HD during install. Otherwise you'll need to mark it Active first, boot DVD to run Startup Repair - Run up to 3 Separate Times until it is marked System Active so it boots itself. You can then mark the old Win7 partition Inactive so that it doesn't interfere: Partition - Mark as Inactive - Windows 7 Forums

Again the proper way to uninstall an OS is to delete its partition in Disk Mgmt, so it would be best to gradually resize down the old OS partition so it can be deleted eventually. Use Partition Wizard Resize Partition Video Help.

If you run out of space on the SSD you can link your User folders from the HDD this way: User Folders - Change Default Location. It's best to sort your files into the User folder structure anyway.


If you like Skydrive you can later also use the modern cloud storage method to Sync, Backup and Store your Files to the Cloud with Skydrive - Windows 7 Help Forums.