How do you partition for hard drives (for users with 1TB and above)

[Ravanx]

How many partitions do you create?
What is the purpose of each partition?
How much space do you allocate to each of those partitions?

This is how I do it (for 1TB):
100GB - C:OS
800GB - D:Entertainment
100GB - E:Games

Do you make a partition specially for downloads?
Then you can designate that partition as your downloads folder on your web browser so that you don't have to keep transfering your downloads from the OS partition to the Entertainment partition.


Btw, if you install games on a separate partition, will any of the components of the game's installer be installed on your C:OS partition?

How can you check whether the installer of a program changes anything or adds anything into the factory files that were installed by Windows 7 DVD?
Eg An anti-virus program would most likely install various files into your C:\Windows even if you set its install directory into E:\Games. This is especially so since it changes the options that you have when you right-click on files.
On the other hand, if you were installing a simple program like mIRC and set its install directory to E:\Games, the mIRC installer would not install anything onto your C:\Windows.

 

[patio]

Setting up partitions and sizes is a matter of personal preference....kinda like why all Homes are not laid out the same way.

How can you check whether the installer of a program changes anything or adds anything into the factory files that were installed by Windows 7 DVD?
Eg An anti-virus program would most likely install various files into your C:\Windows even if you set its install directory into E:\Games. This is especially so since it changes the options that you have when you right-click on files.

As far as the above i use Total Uninstall.
It creates a snapshot of your system when installing any app and records all system file additions and changes made...

Unfortunately it is no longer Free...

 

[Kari]

Just to add something about how to save HD space on system disk C:.

Some, I would like to say most of the modern applications create folders and store some user specific data in Users\Username\AppData and ProgramData. Microsoft do not recommend relocating Windows and Program Files folders, they should remain on system disk. Luckily, ProgramData and Users can be relocated without any problems.

For instance your 100 gig C: would never be enough for me. Even after relocating Users and ProgramData to D. already during the installation, using sysprep in Audit Mode, my C: which has only Windows and Program Files is over 160 gigs. Everything else is on D:



Then E: for Videos

So, I think that reserving only 100 gigs to system from a tera disk is awfully little.

Kari

 

[smarteyeball]

Setting up partitions and sizes is a matter of personal preference....kinda like why all Homes are not laid out the same way.

Exactly. You partition to suit your needs.

But I'd also recommend a larger partition for your OS.

 

[DeaconFrost]

I personally won't partition a drive with more than two partitions, but that's personal preference. If the system has one drive, I'll create one for the OS and apps, and another for user data. If it has two drives, I make the primary dirve one partition for the OS and apps, while the second drive is for user data. I prefer to keep it simple.