Different partitions for OS, data.. etc


  1. DaRonRon
    Posts : 250
    Main OS: Windows 7 64 bit, Secondary: Vista 32 bit
       New #1

    Different partitions for OS, data.. etc


    Im not sure if this is the right section, if in the wrong section a mod can move it. Well anyway i will be installing windows 7 over my current windows 7 RC install soon. Im planning on creating two partitions, one for the OS and another for Music, videos, pics etc. But my question is would it be smart to create a partition for program files? because if i have all my program files in in drive D lets say, and then i format C to install windows 7, the programs wont work because the necessary registry values wont be registered. Whats the point of having a separate partition for program files then?

    I really want to know this so that when i format and finally install win7 i will then know what size to create the OS (C: ) partition.

    Thanks
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  3. SIW2
    Posts : 16,161
    7 X64
       New #2

    Makes sense to keep data , including your program setup/installation files on a separate partition.

    I always install programs on the o/s partition. The exception may be if you have a very large app. you only occasionally use - you might wish to install that on another partition.
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  4. Dwarf
    Posts : 9,582
    Windows 8.1 Pro RTM x64
       New #3

    Generally speaking, unless a program is self-contained and doesn't make any changes to the system and/or registry, then you will need to reinstall them to ensure that the correct data is written to the correct location(s). For self-contained programs, this will not apply and these can, like normal user data, be placed on a partition other than the one that the OS is installed on (even a separate INTERNAL disk) and accessed from there.
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  6. DaRonRon
    Posts : 250
    Main OS: Windows 7 64 bit, Secondary: Vista 32 bit
    Thread Starter
       New #4

    Ok after a little more research, i think its best to leave my apps on the OS partition. Because if i format at some point, i will reinstall my apps anyway to ensure all registry values are registered.
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  7. DeaconFrost
    Posts : 5,795
    Windows 7 Ultimate x64 SP1
       New #5

    I have my OS, apps, and games stored on C, and I use the second drive, D for user data, such as my photos, music, installers, etc.
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  8. DaRonRon
    Posts : 250
    Main OS: Windows 7 64 bit, Secondary: Vista 32 bit
    Thread Starter
       New #6

    DeaconFrost said:
    I have my OS, apps, and games stored on C, and I use the second drive, D for user data, such as my photos, music, installers, etc.
    yeah that's what im going to do as well
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  10. tbernstein
    Posts : 106
    Win 7
       New #7

    I agree ( that's what I've done).
    I'd also suggest a back-ups partition for those odd programmes that you've downloaded ( and maybe for all backups). Depends on HD space.
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  11. gregrocker
    Posts : 50,642
       New #8

    Your program files are already installed programs that have no re-use value on reinstall so they can go with OS.

    More important to preserve and backup is the Downloads file where all installers should be saved before running installations. I even back up my install and game CD ISO images there.

    Then you have them all in one place when time comes to reinstall.
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  12. DaRonRon
    Posts : 250
    Main OS: Windows 7 64 bit, Secondary: Vista 32 bit
    Thread Starter
       New #9

    Ok i think its settled what im going to do. But i dont really think backing up installers is necessary because downloading them over again isnt much of a problem for me unless its a large file in which case i usually burn to a DVD. Besides i dont have that much space on my 300 gb hard disk.
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