I would like to hide my Windows 7 partition ?

Ok let me explain what I would like to do in simple terms,

Currently I've got Windows 7 Home Premium installed on my laptop. My goal here is to do two things :

1) I would like to create a separate partition and install Windows XP beside Windows 7.

2) I would like to somehow "hide" my whole Windows 7 partition and have my system automatically boot into XP when the computer is turned on.

The reason I want this is simple, I want to prevent certain relatives from seeing my sensitive data on my Windows 7 account. I would also like to be able to prevent them from knowing that I've got Windows 7 installed in the first place, that's basically what it all comes down to.

How would I go about doing this ?


Thanks


Jordan

well it's complicated on my end as well,

What would be a simple solution to this ?

Like I said for me it's a question of "Data Protection", my goal is to just prevent my Data from being see by unauthorized people.

You can also encrypt your sensitve files. That's the safest way - I think.

JordanJP said:

Ok let me explain what I would like to do in simple terms,

Currently I've got Windows 7 Home Premium installed on my laptop. My goal here is to do two things :

1) I would like to create a separate partition and install Windows XP beside Windows 7.

2) I would like to somehow "hide" my whole Windows 7 partition and have my system automatically boot into XP when the computer is turned on.

The reason I want this is simple, I want to prevent certain relatives from seeing my sensitive data on my Windows 7 account. I would also like to be able to prevent them from knowing that I've got Windows 7 installed in the first place, that's basically what it all comes down to.

How would I go about doing this ?


Thanks


Jordan

you've been given some good ideas already. just to add another option, you could use the free/awesome program Truecrypt to create a container for all your sensitive data, or encrypt the partition with it. Unless someone knows the password they won't get diddly squat from the protected area(s). TrueCrypt - Free Open-Source On-The-Fly Disk Encryption Software for Windows 7/Vista/XP, Mac OS X and Linux

If you are not careful True Crypt is insecure - fragments may be left if the disk is defragmented. Passwords can be cracked too. I would encrypt the disc with BitLocker if you have 7 Ultimate.

1Bowtie said:

Why not dual boot and password protect Win 7. No password no get in.

Smitty

Says he doesn't want them to know he has Win7 - maybe worried they'll want him to put it on their computers? Mine all do.

To answer OP:

Yes, just install Win7 in typical dual boot it configures flawlessly when last installed.

Now go to Start>right click Computer>Properties>Advanced>Startup&Recovery>Settings. Set Previous version of Windows as default and turn boot menu timeout off. (If not avail then set same in XP.)

Return there to access Win7.

Remember: They can see and access your files through Explorer. Better to set up Guest in User Accounts which restricts them to their own files and no installs to turn on while they are visiting, password yours.

I simply don't get it

I won't say anything further about hiding data.