OS and Data on separate drives

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  1. Posts : 29
    Windows 7 Pro 64 bit, Vista home premium 64 bit, XP Pro 32 bit
       #1

    OS and Data on separate drives


    I am doing a clean install of Win 7 Pro 64bit over Vista home premium 64bit, and currently have my OS and data on separate drives. Once i install the OS on drive C: what do i need to do to insure that my data i.e. music, pictures, documents etc. will still point toward the drive with the data on it. ???
    Regards, BD
      My Computer


  2. Posts : 4
    Windows 7 Ultimate x64
       #2

    I am not sure a 100% percent if there is an rule about this but why dont you copy it all back to the folders ie documents music video pic ect to the windows 7 pc from the old disk
      My Computer


  3. Posts : 22,814
    W 7 64-bit Ultimate
       #3

    Hello bluedragon, welcome to Seven Forums!





    I'm not real clear on what you're asking; if you're asking if installing Windows 7 over Vista on C: will over-write data you have on another separate partition then no it will not, any data on a separate volume/partition will not be affected by the install, only anything on C: will be lost.

    Here's 3 words for you, backup, backup and again I say backup; well that's more than 3 words but make a backup anything you can't afford to lose.
      My Computer


  4. Posts : 1,114
    Windows 7 Home Premium 64 bit
       #4

    One little followup, if i understand you right your data is on a seperate drive, unplug that drive before you start that way there will no chance of losing your data
      My Computer


  5. Posts : 4,517
    Windows 7 Home Premium 64bit
       #5

    To move the location of your user Folders (DATA)

    Tutorial: User Folders - Change Default Location

    Just make a new folder on the second drive named the same (I/E My Music etc) and relocated the source folder.

    Then Move all your DATA to the corrosponding folders.

    Windows will now use that location (and Drive) as the default location.

    You can do this for: My Music, My Pictures, My Videos, My Documents, and Podcasts.



    Since your doing a clean install:
    Depending how many drives and space you have, I would also highly recommend choosing a Imaging program you like.
    Reserve a drive, partition, or external drive for back up purposes.

    Make the 1st image after 7 is installed and activated.
    Make another after you get it setup the way you want.
    Then periodic images thereafter.

    Having DATA on another driver separated from the OS makes Imaging faster and easier.
      My Computer


  6. Posts : 22,814
    W 7 64-bit Ultimate
       #6

    Wishmaster said:
    To move the location of your user Folders (DATA)

    Tutorial: User Folders - Change Default Location

    Just make a new folder on the second drive named the same (I/E My Music etc) and relocated the source folder.

    Then Move all your DATA there.

    Windows will now use that location (and Drive) as the default location.

    You can do this for: My Music, My Pictures, My Videos, My Documents, and Podcasts.

    DSince your doign a clean install:
    Depending how many drives and space you have, I would also highly recommend choosing a Imaging program you like.

    Make the 1st image after 7 is installed and activated.
    Make another after you get it setup the way you want.
    the periodic images thereafter.

    Having DATA on another driver serperated from the OS makes Imaging faster and easier.

    Good info mate, thanks; here's an excellent free imaging program.


    Macrium Reflect FREE Edition

    Imaging with free Macrium
      My Computer


  7. Posts : 29
    Windows 7 Pro 64 bit, Vista home premium 64 bit, XP Pro 32 bit
    Thread Starter
       #7

    Ok, Just for clarity (i hope), I already have two drives in my computer. One with Vista and the other with my data files, pictures, documents, etc. When i originally installed the OS on the computer I had to physically, point the data files to the second drive. My question is when i do a clean install of Win 7 my OS will be on C: drive, and my old data from before will still be on the second drive. Do i have to do something in Win 7 to make sure that once the OS is installed and i want to save data, that it will copy to the second drive??? vice the drive with the OS.
    Sorry for the confusion, but i don't like muddling around too much OS's, DOS, Registry, etc etc. Regards, BD
      My Computer


  8. Posts : 10,200
    MS Windows 7 Ultimate SP1 64-bit
       #8

    Probably your simplest and surest approach is:
    1. Disconnect your data drive.
    2. Do a clean install of Win 7
    3. Reconnect the data drive.
    4. Use the power of Win 7 libraries to add the folders on your data drive to the appropriate library.

    Now some links:
    SSD / HDD : Optimize for Windows Reinstallation

    Clean Install Windows 7

    Clean Install with a Upgrade Windows 7 Version


    Library - Include a Folder
      My Computer


  9. Posts : 45
    Windows 7 Professional 64Bit
       #9

    [QUOTE=karlsnooks;919262]4. Use the power of Win 7 libraries to add the folders on your data drive to the appropriate library.
    ------------------------------------
    yes win 7 libraries work really nicely...configure those for Music, Videos, Pics, Docs, etc...
    Also BD, you may have to configure settings of other misc apps to point to your data drive / folders. That way when you click open or save it will use your data drive. Either way, your data drive should have an associated drive letter and knowing that should help ensure where your files are saved. Cheers...
      My Computer


  10. Posts : 3,028
    Windows 7 Ultimate (x64) SP1
       #10

    +1 for Libraries. A lot of people diss libraries but I love them. Makes having data on a 2nd OS so much easier. And yes, having the OS on a different drive to data is definitely the way to go. My OS is on an SSD and my data is on a decent spinner...love it!
      My Computer


 
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