Data Partition

   Information

This video tutorial explains how to create or delete a partition and how to tell the system to move the user data folders into that partition. It applies to Windows 7 and Vista. As a video, it addresses the more visually oriented audience and is supposed to complement Brink's exellent tutorial on the matter that you find here: How to Create a New Partition or Volume in Windows 7

Related Tutorials

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• How to Extend a Partition or Volume in Windows 7
• How to Create a New Partition or Volume in Windows 7
• How to Shrink a Partition or Volume in Windows 7
• How to Delete a Partition or Volume in Windows 7
• How to Mark a Partition as Active in Windows 7

 

[Tews]

Great tutorial whs...

 

[whs]

Great tutorial whs...

Thanks.

 

[kiwigal]

Great Info

Many, many thanks - that was just in time - I had tried and decided to wiat!!

 

[whs]

Many, many thanks - that was just in time - I had tried and decided to wiat!!

I am glad the tutorial helped you to proceed.

 

[gregrocker]

Nice job Wolfgang!

 

[eldinv]

If I were to install Windows 7, and I have that data partition, can both windows 7 and Vista use that one data partition.

 

[eldinv]

Hello sorry for asking again, maybe what I asked didn't make too much sens. If i install Windows 7 as a dual boot with Vista, can they both share the data partition partition. Meaning can I change the locations of the folders like documents, music, and videos. Both in vista and in Windows 7, I already redirected the folders in Vista.

 

[whs]

if i were to install windows 7, and i have that data partition, can both windows 7 and vista use that data partition

Absolutely. That is what I always do. I create the data partition from the Vista side and then I just make a library of those folders (Music, Pictures, etc.) on the Win7 side. Very easy and convenient.
Initially it may bark at you because of a permission problem, but that is easy to fix in the security tab of Properties.

 

[ViperMWC]

Most Useful

Many thanks Wolfgang,

Nice straight forward run through of what I wanted to know.
Have already created the partition I needed
Great idea doing it as a video !!
All the best,
Mick C.

 

[boohbah]

Excellent tutorial WHS , i have put off partitioning as i was afraid off messing it up but seing it done in real time really helped ,im going to tackle it later when i get back on the desktop.
a great idea making video,

 

[whs]

bohhbah, as you have seen, it is not really a big deal. You will probably have no problems defining new partitions. And I think you are right, for certain tutorials it is easier to follow a video than just text.

 

[boohbah]

I also read your posts with your accent now!

 

[whs]

I also read your posts with your accent now!

 

[0984465]

I have seached the whole entire internet 10X over and I hope I can do what I'm going to ask here.
I built my own PC, installed windows, installed games, ripped CDS saved pictures etc etc. (All of this is on ONE partition) Is it possible to create a new partition and then Move the OS from the existing Partition to the new one?( I had no idea how to do it when I first built this PC.

 

[whs]

You can move the OS using an image provided the new partition is equal or greater in size with this tool. If the new partition is smaller, you can try Paragon or Acronis (the free versions of those).

But would it not be easier to move the data folders to a new partition? That's what this tutorial explains.

 

[0984465]

Oh is it? I thought it was stricktly for just making new partitions to organize data in many ways.

Well I guess I have Install everything to "Program Files (X86)" so moving the whole "Libraries" and "favorites" section with its folders is pretty much the same thing as moving the OS to its own partition.

So What i'm thinking I should do is, these steps.
-Make a new partition. About 220/500gb (Just my available space I averaged)
-Move all data files to the 220 GB section
-Shrink the old Partition to the smallest possible so my newest partition would be about 450GB.

I will also review the video in full right now because I can't remember the whole thing off the top of my head.

I hope my itunes can find all my music in the new partition automatically.

Also one last thing, should I leave some extra space in the OS partition?
(the Program files folder counts as the OS portion doesn't it? so it would need room to install new programs.)

 

[whs]

1. I would only move USER files (those that have a location tab), no system files. That would be counterproductive.
2. Make sure you move them to predefined folders in the new partition (folders of any name) and NOT to the partition itself. That would get you into a mess.
3. Make the OS partition at least 50GBs. The winsxs folder grows every day.
4. Depending how partitions and freespace are located, you may not be able to shove it around as you like with Disk Management. In that case use Partition Wizard. The same goes for shrinking beyond the MFT.
Here is a good tutorial by Ted http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/93322-partition-wizard-use-bootable-cd.html?ltr=P

 

[0984465]

Ok thanks for all the help! I tried the way on the video just now and none of my folders have the proper TAB for changing location.

So I'll definatly try the alternative ways!

 

[whs]

That is really strange. You must have manipulated these folders earlier. The user folders like Documents, Music, etc. should have the location tab. You may try to restore the location: http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/18583-user-folders-restore-default-location.html