disk space for WIn7 install

[RogerR]

I typically install my OS on a small partition and keep all the data and programs elsewhere. In this case Win7 is on a 20GB partition of the C: drive.

XP never seemed to need more, however, 7 it has already consumed 19GB of that and wants more ... What to do? I really am not up for a complete reinstall, so my choices seem to be to keep that partition very lean and hope for the best, or convert the disk to a dynamic drive, so I can increase the space available.

Any thoughts?

 

[logicearth]

Most of the space is consumed by System Restore and Previous Versions, configurable to how much space they take up.

 

[seekermeister]

You wouldn't need to convert the drive, if you used Acronis Disk Director Suite. I'm sure that there are alternatives, but this is the only one I'm famliar with.

 

[RogerR]

Most of the space is consumed by System Restore and Previous Versions, configurable to how much space they take up.

Configurable how? Can I move them elsewhere?

 

[RogerR]

You wouldn't need to convert the drive, if you used Acronis Disk Director Suite. I'm sure that there are alternatives, but this is the only one I'm famliar with.

Seems like I have Partition Magic around here somewhere, though I'm reluctant to go to third party solutions as they always seem to add a layer somewhere and I've become a firm adherent to the KISS principle in my dotage.

 

[seekermeister]

As far as I know, you can't move the system Restore to a different location, but you can control the size of it with the Configure button of the System Protection tab of System Properties.

 

[seekermeister]

I haven't used it before, but there is a resizing option when you right click an active volume in Disk Management, and I'm not using dynamic disks.

 

[kellymac35]

You can do a Right click on C, disc clean up, then look for the tab more options. Systems restore will gobble alot of space with shadow copys. You can delete all but the last image taken. I was able to free 40 gigs this way. but I don't think you will ever be happy with 7 allocated to just 20 gigs. I did the RC with 30 and still needed more

 

[MacGyvr]

Be careful limiting the space that you allow System Restore to use. You will be altering the number of restore points you can have and therefore how far back in time you would be able to go. Safety says let it have what it wants.

 

[reghakr]

I typically install my OS on a small partition and keep all the data and programs elsewhere. In this case Windows 7 is on a 20GB partition of the C: drive.

Windows 7 needs at least a 50GB partition. If you use XP Mode, you'll need about 70GB

I use GParted to configure my first partition space, because Windows 7 will not allow you to shrink the partition to that smaller size.

 

[Dave76]

Seems like I have Partition Magic around here somewhere, though I'm reluctant to go to third party solutions as they always seem to add a layer somewhere and I've become a firm adherent to the KISS principle in my dotage.

I would recommend not to make any of them Dynamic Disks. You can change the Simple Basic disk size easily.

Your OS partition is getting full because of page filing and System Restore points. These are both good things, that can be very helpful if needed.
You can limit the size of the space used for System Restore. I would recommend minimum of 15GB.
:ar: System Protection - Change Disk Space Usage

If you are keeping your data and programs elsewhere, you can make your OS partition 30GB if HD space is needed.

Can you tell us your HD and partition layout?

Or post a snip of your Disk Management.
rb: :ar: Snipping Tool

:ar: How to Post a Screenshot in Seven Forums

You can try to increase the OS partition with Disk Management but, if the next partition has any files it will likely not work.

Many people have used the free partition manager, this works very well and will let you move all partitions without loosing any data. As always, before doing any partition adjustments, backup your HD first.
:ar: Partition Wizard

This is listed in the FREE Great Programs for Windows 7. All of these free programs have been tested by Seven Forums members to work well with Win7.

 

[RogerR]

I would recommend not to make any of them Dynamic Disks. You can change the Simple Basic disk size easily.

Yes, I have been down that road before and would rather not go down it again.

Many people have used the free partition manager, this works very well and will let you move all partitions without loosing any data. As always, before doing any partition adjustments, backup your HD first.
:ar: Partition Wizard

Thanks, I'll give that a look. I do in fact have plenty of room on that drive and could easily give up more space.

 

[RogerR]

Well - that was easy! Nifty little gadget - thanks for the tip.

I gave it 50 gigs, so that ought to hold it for a while.

 

[Philgo]

Might be worth checking if you have a 'Windows.old' folder from you old install, it will be safe to delete if there's nothing in there that you want

 

[pparks1]

I think you will be much happier with a 50GB partition for C. Personally with disk space being cheap...I don't usually recommend any less than 40GB for the OS drive. In fact, I'd likely stay about 60GB. I'm living at 80GB right now as that is the size of my SSD drive. I too have a storage drive and think that I am using about 22GB on C.