20GB spare space really required to upgrade?

[ChillWillGraphx]

Hello,

I've seen the upgrade requirements to upgrade from Vista 64 to Windows 7 64 and they call for 20GB of free hard drive space. Is this REALLY necessary? I currently have 9.47GB free right now, but can probably get that down a few gig more. Has anyone been able to upgrade with less than 20GB? Like others, I normally am a proponent of clean installs, but thought that I would give an upgrade install a try in order to not have to re-install everything that I already have installed. Vista 64 is running fine for me, but I really wanna get up to Windows 7. I'm interested to hear what others have experienced. Thank you in advance for any help/information. Depending upon the feedback here, I may uninstall some STEAM games and then use a partitioning tool to rearrange my hard drive partitions to make the upgrade work. I have already backed up a majority of the files that I do not want to lose and will also do a FULL backup so that I can do a full restore in the event of catastrophic upgrade failure.


Thank you again - Mike

 

[Dave76]

Welcome to Seven Forums.

Before an appropriate answer can be given, what is the currently used space in your OS partition?

Looking for the total size.

There are other functions that will use up space, this can be adjusted if need be.
Restore points is one.

 

[ChillWillGraphx]

I've got System Restore turned off and also just moved my Page File to a different hard drive within my Dell XPS m1730. The C Partition currently has a total size of 48.8GB with 9.46GB Free Space. That will likely change a little once I reboot. I can also clear an extra couple of GB from my desktop (I'm kinda temporarily stashing some misc. stuff here and need to move it - I've already backed it up, though).


Thank you - Mike

 

[Dave76]

It depends on how many programs you will install.
Do you keep your personal files and data in another partition?

Win7 should run fine on a 50GB partition. Plan on keeping 10GB free space, after all programs are loaded, if you can.

Usually, Win7 seven will take up less space than Vista.
Moving the page file also helps.

So, yes, your partition size is fine.

Going to the trouble of a Clean/Custom install will pay dividends later, if not sooner.
Also using Windows Easy Transfer - Transfer To & From Computers will make it a little faster. It will transfer your user settings but not the programs.

 

[ChillWillGraphx]

Maybe my question was misunderstood. I was asking if I really need to have 20GB free (with Vista 64 installed) in order to upgrade over Vista? The Upgrade Adviser claims that I need to have 20GB free (beyond my current C Drive contents). I know that I can do a CLEAN install - I just don't want to do it right now.


Thank you - Mike

 

[ChillWillGraphx]

Anybody? I've now got 13.4GB free on a 48.8GB partition. I am currently looking for a good partitioning utility that will allow me shrink my D Partition and use that space for my C Drive. Yes, I know it would be better to do a clean install, but I wanna try the upgrade option. I will do a full backup of my Windows partition before the upgrade. Any info (on the upgrade or partitioning utility - cheap is good, but free is better) will be greatly appreciated


Thank you - Mike

 

[Barman58]

Hi Mike,

Not sure exactly why the install needs all the free space and when I did updates have always have had that available so cannot give a definitive answer.

If you wish to change your partition structure you may want to check out the free Partition Wizard that has a boot disk to allow you to work outside the OS. Totally free software .

I don't think I need to remind you about backups before you start messing about with the partitions

Partition Wizard is a Windows based FREE Partition Manager. It works as partition magic and supports Windows 2000/XP/2003/Vista/2008 server and Windows 7. FREE for Home and Business user.

 

[ChillWillGraphx]

Thank you - I'll give that a shot. I'm not sure either -the Upgrade Adviser says that I need to have 20GB of free hard drive space. Dunno why - if it writes over the original install, anyway. Oh well. I wanna try the upgrade - I can always do a clean install later...


Later - Mike

 

[Barman58]

I can only imagine that it needs some working space so that files are created and then the old versions deleted to allow for roll-back of unsuccessful part installs.

The default move operation in windows is a copy then delete for safety

One thing I noticed is that you have 4GB ram - If hibernation is on then switching it off will give you back 4GB. This would mean you could probably tidy a couple of apps to get enough space

 

[ChillWillGraphx]

I've already got hibernation disabled. I don't use that or RESTORE. Thank you, though...


Later - Mike

 

[ChillWillGraphx]

Ok - partitions adjusted and re-running the Upgrade Adviser to clear up any conflicts. See you on the other side...


Later - Mike

 

[ChillWillGraphx]

Well, I'm on the other side now. Window upgrade completed and happy for the most part. Having problems with my X-Fi Express Audio sound card, but need to look into that further. Also need to get this touch pad disabled - keeps jumping the cursor around as I type - extremely aggravating!!!


More to follow - Mike

 

[raprai22]

hey mike, so how did it goes? without having a 20gb free on your hdd? any problems? i was planning to install windows 7 but i got less than 20gb free space on my hdd