How does reinstalling windows affect other partitions?

[Zen00]

So, I have my computer set up so that Windows 7 is on my C: partition, and all my programs are installed on my D: partition.

If I was to do a clean install of the C: partition, how would that affect the programs on the D:? Would I have to reinstall them all?

 

[mickey megabyte]

most probably yes, you would have to install most of them.

some programs are 'portable' which means they don't have to be 'installed', they can just run from any folder - but many programs write keys to the registry, install files in other folders etc.

and you'll have to think about shortcuts in your start-menu too.

 

[sup3rsprt]

You will probably have to reinstall a majority of them. Consider that a clean install will wipe out any of the registry settings for those programs.

If the program is lightweight and uses ini file to save its settings then you don't really need to reinstall it. However, all of your start menu and/or desktop icons will be gone, so you would need to recreate them.

Edit - Oops it seems like I have echoed your response Mickey. We posted at the same time. Great minds think alike.