Windows 7: Dumb Q re: keeping your data OFF the C: (OS partition)

Since we now have Windows 7's create disc image (new to me as I knew nothing about Windows 7 as I had XP previously), is there any reason whatsoever to keep your data off the C: partition?

Since you can backup the whole smash (meaning, if all your data is on C: and you create disc image C:, it DOES backup 100% of C drive, correct), who cares where you data is any more? Obviously, this implies you keep a short-term backup of your whole C: drive. However, you do need another partition to back up TO, so you'd still need another HD partition (or use a dead-slow USB2 external thumb/HD).

Comments?

Assuming you're getting quality backups (that you've tested, of course.. ) there is no reason for a separate data partition.

However...
If the backup file(s) or image(s) become corrupt...or if you have a physical drive/mechanical failure, then you'd be at a loss.

I keep my data on a second HDD and once every month or so backup what's important to me (mainly pictures from over the years) to a few DVDs.

Just good practice.

Just keep in mind that a second partition on the same physical drive will not protect you against hardware failure. I believe dajogejr mentioned that too.

Understood. I should rephrase...

I have a 2nd hard drive that I can use for backups. Hence, there really is "no" need to separate the OS and data since I can simply image the whole C: drive to the 2nd internal hard drive. It seems people are still in XP-mode-thinking (myself) such that they're worried about their data should they have to restore their OS.

it is still best to save any pictures, downloads, docs, etc............. to a separate drive. you should never leave items on c that you cannot afford to loose. plus there is the added advantage of not having those files scanned during bootup. even 7 scans every folder and file on c to make sure that it loads everything. the less on c the less scanned.

I don't follow the last part at all: Files scanned during bootup? What do you mean? What is Windows 7 going to scan at bootup?

7 just like xp and vista is designed to scan every file on the drive / partition your os is on during bootup as not to miss anything that is needed for the os and your startup programs to run properly. the less you have on your os drive / partition the less that is scanned.

This makes no sense whatsoever. Why would an OS "scan" every file? It KNOWS what it needs to start Windows 7. It knows what is in RUN/RUNONCE and STARTUP to launch those processes. This is way out in left field.

actually microsour has not yet created an os that does not scan every file on the os drive / partition yet. why do you think a lot of users will create two separate partitions. one for the install of windows and the other one for program files.

You are not making any sense whatsoever. Windows doesn't scan anything. Otherwise we'd be seeing recommendations to move or delete every little from your OS partition to speed up the boot process.

Um, users create a second partition for data so if they restore their OS partition, their data is intact.