Win 7 x64 Creating Directories instead of Partitions

I read in these forums (can't find the thread) where someone recommended against the use of partitions but rather use directories. Since Win 7 seems to move drive letters around and always boots to C: regardless of partition booting into, it seems like using Directories may be as or more useful.

Does anyone know how to do this and your opinion regarding Directories vs Partitions.

Thanks for the help,

T

Win7 must be installed to a partition. What is the exact reason you'd want to avoid it?

Yes, I am aware that the Win 7 needs to have its own partition. I was wondering about using one partition and then directories instead of multiple partitions.

Thanks

It's always best to sort your user files into the corresponding User folders, whether they stay on C or you link them from another partition, which some users prefer so that the Win7 image can be kept smaller and the data will be intact and current if C needs to be reimaged or reinstalled.

Is this what you mean by using directories instead of partitions. Partitions are always optional, and normally derive from a user's particular needs that require a separate partition. What are your exact needs?

What I would like is to set up a system where if I need to re-install Windows I can do so without re-installing all the programs as well. I set up my new system with multiple partitions, 3 with Win 7 on them. What happened is all the drive letters moved, depending on the partition I booted too. This is acceptable, but was wondering if there was an easier way.

My main desire is to separate the game programs and steam games into separate areas from the main partition. I am about to try and use An Old School Geek’s approach to Installing & Setting Up a Windows PC and use just one Windows installation with multiple user profiles to get what I am wanting.

One bigger concern is getting viruses that can affect the rest of the computer. The bad ones come from online gaming. I don't game much anymore, but do so occasionally. I was hoping partitions would help this. Currently my games partition is on a separate hard drive. There are three drives, one for the main system and programs, one for games, and one for photo storage.

Thank you.

I'd suggest you do a perfect install such as that compiled in Clean Reinstall - Factory OEM Windows 7 - Windows 7 Help Forums and then once it's set up and running great, save a backup image to use in case it ever becomes irreparable. You would not have to reinstall your programs then, or anything else other than just reimage C. The favorite freeware for that around here is Macrium - Image your system

There's no reason however to have your files bloat the image when you can put them on a separate partition by moving the User folders there after install User Folders - Change Default Location , or simply copying the user folders there and linking each to the related Library - Include a Folder - Windows 7 Forums then designating the folder on the data partition as Library - Set Save Folder - Windows 7 Help Forums.

This way when you reimage C your files are current and ready on their own partition, as good a reason to use another partition as any we see around here.

There is no other way I've seen to separate programs so they don't have to be reinstalled, and no need to bother. Programs should be installed on C where they integrate with the OS and become part of it until uninstalled.

What about having a partition with separate user profiles? Another reason to separate the games out is because of the frequency that Steam and EA download manager likes to update, especially when 98% the updates after the initial install is for games I don't have and have no intention of getting. I like playing some of these games, but only occasionally.

I was thinking of using partition or user profile for General Use, Games (Non Steam) and Games (Steam and EA).

Thanks.

I have heard of gamers putting Steam programs on another partition but am not sure of the reason. If it's being updated that is via the OS on C so would not save any resources by directing to another partition. And you want games like any other program to be a part of the OS partition since most all of them write keys to the registry so they are integrated until uninstalled. For this reason you want them to be included in the image so that you don't have to reinstall them, which you said is your goal.

If it's being updated that is via the OS on C so would not save any resources by directing to another partition.

I'm not really concerned about saving resources. Steam and EA Download Manager always seem to update at odd and distracting times. I actually install Steam/EA DM when I am interested in playing these games, then uninstall them when finished for a time. I am hoping a different Partition or User Profile would eliminate this.

For this reason you want them to be included in the image so that you don't have to re-install them, which you said is your goal.

I am rethinking everything as this conversation is going on. If I have to re-install games, not a big deal. There are others that I would rather not have to go through re-installing if possible (such as Lightroom).

Thanks again.