Solved Install personal programs to a partition separate from OS partition?

[Skylark]

1. That's one of the worst things you can do, in terms of the long-term use of your computer (shutting off updates)

. . .

2. You should always install the chipset drivers first, but after that, it shouldn't really matter.

Well, maybe I'll use your method for downloading Windows updates. But can you tell me: as these updates keep coming, do they pile up on the c:\ drive, or do they remove earlier ones and keep things slim? (I guess I've always had a fear that they'll eventually choke the space!)

Thanks again.

 

[DeaconFrost]

Most will update features and files already present on your computer. The space issue is really a non-issue. If you had been that worried about it to go so far as to turn them off, you could have always monitored your drive for a before and after, in terms of size. Your C drive shouldn't be that low on space anyway, where updates would cause any noticable space difference.

I'm typing now on a Dell Optiplex 360 that got Windows 7 in August of 2009 when it was made available to TechNet subscribers, and I haven't reinstalled once. It's running at the same speed and responsiveness as it was the day I first installed.

 

[gregrocker]

The modern way to reinstall Win7 if it becomes irreparable is to re-image it to its partition in 20 minutes using built-in Win7 backup imaging or a freeware alternative like Macrium.
Backup Complete Computer - Create an Image Backup
System Image Recovery

This is one reason to keep the data on a separate partition linked via Library - Include a Folder which is easier than moving User Folders - Change Default Location which can cause problems by insisting the data partition is then part of the System image.

This way when you re-image the OS/Programs partition the data set is current and waiting in its own partition.

However you do want the programs on the OS partition so they are part of the System image, and because they write Registry Keys to the OS which integrate them into it.

Set Updates to Automatic. They cause no problems in Win7 and aren't even visible to user in Win8 due to advancements made in Win7.

 

[Skylark]

DeaconFrost, I haven't reconsidered the Windows updates business since way back, in 3.1 times. It seems things have really progressed. Thanks for the info.

gregrocker, thanks. I've already imaged the factory install onto 3 DVDs, so am reassured by that - should the recovery partition fail. And will download the Macrium utility to image OS plus progs, and data. Am grateful for your link to the libraries posting. Will study it in detail later. I guess it is all about ensuring that Win7 acknowledges where my documents are, given that they won't be on the c:\ drive as it is set up to expect?

 

[gregrocker]

Recovery DIsks are different and really only needed for restoring the computer to factory condition for resale, etc.

Most tech enthusiasts want to start with a Clean Reinstall - Factory OEM Windows 7 or at least to Clean Up Factory Bloatware.

Either way rely on a Win7 backup image of your customized install to fall back on in place of reinstall as it saves hours if not days.

I outlined the ways this works best which also require becoming familiar with libraries to easily right click>Add your files into, or moving the User folders to another partition. If at all possible Programs should remain on the same partition to be part of the image.

 

[DavidE]

Set Updates to Automatic and ignore them.

What does that mean?

I thought Automatic means install them without user approval.
How can someone choose Automatic and ignore them?

Thanks, david

edit: nvm. I misunderstood. Makes sense now

 

[Richman1]

You no longer have to worry about the OS becoming sluggish on it's own, as in XP. If
you practice good usage habits, you'll be fine.

I have never had XP become sluggish. Not so much a matter of good usage habits as it is good maintenance practices. Defragging, Keeping malware, spyware, crapware out an such. My Windows 7 is at the moment sluggish only because I faile to do routine maintenance, namely, I havn't ran Superantispyware, malwarebytes or spybot in a long time .....its been way too long. So it can happen and new Windows versions are not exempt from any of these issues although I agree bbearren saying it may be easyer to automate maintenance routines with the newer ones.

_________________________________________________________

If one performs routine system maintenance regularly (much of which can be setup in

Task Manager to be taken care of automatically) uses a good AV such as MSE, and
practices safe surfing, there is no real need to reformat/reinstall Windows from time to
time, either. I haven't done a reformat/reinstall since Windows 95 OSR2.

I echo that remark, remark, remark ...........
_____________________________________________________________

I was using Windows 3.1, many years ago, a number of my personal programs (like Microsoft Word,
for example) used to place *.ini files and certain other files into the c:\windows or system
directory.

Not just back in the days of Windows 3.1.

Microsoft Office 2010 insisted on placing a number of files on C:\Program Files, and
created the folder

Actually, from personal experience, not just MS Office 2010 but Office XP and Office 2007 also wanted to install files to the System drive (usually C: )

(but I had reset the default path to Program Files in the registry),

Do tell. What registry entries and how many?

tell me: as these updates keep coming, do they pile up on the c:\ drive, or do they remove earlier ones and keep things slim? (I guess I've always had a fear that they'll eventually choke the space!)

Thanks again.

Actually they, as DeaconFrost said, 'Most will update features and files already present on your computer.' However, there will be additional files as well. When I installed XP in 2002, the window dir was 900MB. After 6-8 monthes it grew to 1.2GB. After over a year it was 1.7GB and after 2 years it was over 2GB. Look at XP sp3 today and I believe it is over 7GB. OS's inevitably grow. Even linux in recent years has implimented network updates on their LTR's Of cours when I installed Windows 7 it was between 10-12GB with sp1 and after updates frew to 14GB.

I agree, but

Someone may have to install programs on a different HD/Partition such as "D" because of space issues.
With a small SSD "C" Drive for the OS, it makes sense to install programs on a different HD "D" drive.
If I did that, I'd Image backup (and restore) both C and D together - to keep them and the registry synced.

I agree as that is probably the easiest and most foolproof. However. I have had
additional programs on another partition and my data on a third for some time on an XP
machine.

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gregrocker

Is that you with the surfboard and do you actually have a touch screen embedded in it? And if the response is yes I will have to say, "Are you kidding me you maniacally inclined megalomaniac.