Can't delete old vista partition :/

SIW2 said:

from this pic i see there's the option to delete and format. Im not sure but when i delete does this leave behind unallocated disc space? So if i delete both my partitions, then i have two unallocated disc spaces? Then i join them? And then format? Whats the ordering here?

Unallocated space is just what it says - there is no division - you will just get one larger amount of Unallocated space if the partitions you deleted were next to each other.

When you create a partition from that - select how much of it to partition and the remaining Unallocated space can be used to create another partition.

Or select it all and create just one partition.

when you say create partition, do u mean i must format? Because when i delete both partitions i will have one big unallocated space, then from here should i click format, or i can just go ahead and press next?

Yes, you could - but if you do that you will get an extra 100mb system reserved partition.

7 creates that if you haven't already partitioned the disk first into one (or more ) and marked it Active.

Most people prefer to install the o/s on one partition , and keep their data on a separate partition.

Makes it much easier to manage. Also, if you need to reinstall, or restore an image - the data partition remains untouched.

I suggest ( assuming you are not going to use Bitlocker ) Create 2 partitions.

Mark the one on the Left Active. Install 7 onto the Active partition.

MacGyvr said:

DaRonRon said:

i would prefer to have one big partition where i can install win7 into. but remember, that pic is not from my computer. Mine would have two drives. So i can delete both of them, they will be combined into one unallocated space, and then i can install?

thanks for all your help. Your the best

Unallocated space from two drives will not be combined. That would show as two separate entries in the list.

ok then should i extend them?

MacGyver was talking about 2 separate HD's.

It is clear from your first post that you only have one HD.

the reason why i dont want to have my files on a separate partition is because some family members occasionally use my pc. They will have access to those files then which i dont want.

Is there any way i can install it on one big partition and not have win7 create another 100 mb partition that SIW2 mentioned. If that 100mb partition is hidden then i have not problem with that

edit: i think i could do this and it wont create that extra partition. I delete the second drive only. Then extend it to the first drive (vista one). I format it then click next. Would this avoid that?

The 100mb will be hidden in Computer view - because it is not allocated a drive letter, but you can see it in Disk Management.

If you mark the one big partition Active before installing 7 onto it - you won't get the 100mb partition.

how would i mark it as active?

sorry for all these questions, its just that i want to be 100% sure

edit: if i dont delete the vista partition and delete the win7 one, then expand the unallocated space to the vista one, then format it and install will it then be active because the vista one was active to begin with

Windows will not let you delete any partition if there is a swap file on it.
Boot into Vista and remove the swap file, then you will be able to delete the Vista partition.
MachineGun