Removing Old Windows Install while keeping partitions

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  1. Posts : 60
    Windows 7 Pro 64bit SP1+Updates
       #1

    Removing Old Windows Install while keeping partitions


    Gents,

    I recently upgraded my PC and installed Windows 7 to an SSD. The old HD that Windows was on has 3 partitions and I want to recover the space that Windows 7 was on (was C:\ now G:\) but leave the other 2 partitions alone as the data can not be moved easily.

    If I mark G:\ as Inactive in Disk Management can I simply format G:\ to wipe that partition without effecting the other 2 partitions on that drive?
      My Computer


  2. Posts : 13,576
    Windows 10 Pro x64
       #2

    Yes, but DM may not let you mark it inactive, if it doesn`t just use Partition Wizard.

    You didn`t have the hard drive plugged in when you installed Windows on the ssd did you ?

    If you did, do not proceed without posting a snip of Disk Management

    Does the ssd boot on its own ? Without the hard drive plugged in ?
      My Computer


  3. Posts : 60
    Windows 7 Pro 64bit SP1+Updates
    Thread Starter
       #3

    AddRAM said:

    You didn`t have the hard drive plugged in when you installed Windows on the ssd did you ?
    No I did not. Windows 7 was installed with just the SSD connected..... nothing else. I just wanted to make sure that if I formatted the Old partition that Windows was on it would not mess with the other 2 partitions as it will be removing the old MBR and I still need access to those other 2 partitions.

    Below is my setup in Disk Management "Click to enlarge"

      My Computer


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

    As long as windows boots on its own on the ssd, then go ahead and format G.

    As long as the others are not extended partitions you should be fine.

    If you`re still concerned post a snip, if not carry on :)
      My Computer


  5. Posts : 60
    Windows 7 Pro 64bit SP1+Updates
    Thread Starter
       #5

    AddRAM said:
    As long as windows boots on its own on the ssd, then go ahead and format G.

    As long as the others are not extended partitions you should be fine.

    If you`re still concerned post a snip, if not carry on :)
    Ok thanks. I'll give it a go later today
      My Computer


  6. Posts : 13,576
    Windows 10 Pro x64
       #6

    Why are Disk 2 and Disk 4 marked Active ????

    If they are just data drives they should not be marked Active.
      My Computer


  7. Posts : 60
    Windows 7 Pro 64bit SP1+Updates
    Thread Starter
       #7

    AddRAM said:
    Why are Disk 2 and Disk 4 marked Active ????
    Disk 2 and 4 are separate hard drives used for storage. If I remember correctly I did not format those drives prior to moving Data to them.
      My Computer


  8. Posts : 13,576
    Windows 10 Pro x64
       #8

    So then you should mark them inactive.

    Example of mine.
    Attached Thumbnails Attached Thumbnails Removing Old Windows Install while keeping partitions-dm.jpg  
      My Computer


  9. Posts : 60
    Windows 7 Pro 64bit SP1+Updates
    Thread Starter
       #9

    AddRAM said:
    So then you should mark them inactive.
    Can do..... but I be curious how the active flag got set in the first place as I did not do it and those drives never held an OS on them. Haven't had any issues with them with either the new build and old though and the bios only see's my bootable drives.
      My Computer


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

    That`s odd, the bios should see all your drives.
      My Computer


 
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