HP: Desktop: Can Windows 7 Be Moved From 4 Partitions To 1?

[tinker123]

The office of a coworker's wife was getting rid of their old computers and I picked up an HP dual core desktop for $25.



It came with Windows 7 on it. I would like install Linux Mint as a dual boot.


The problem is, as it was explained to me, is that a PC can only have 4 primary partitions. HP installed Windows 7 across all 4 primary partitions. I don't have the the Windows 7 disk and my friend told me Microsoft will not honor the old license.



Is it possible for me to easily save Windows 7 on that box, perhaps moving it to just one partition?

 

[gregrocker]

The best way to do this with HP on an non-UEFI isntall if you want to keep the HP System Recovery and Hardware Diagnostics partitions bootable is to shrink C to make a new partition for the Linux install.

I'd still make the HP Recovery disks if you dont have them, or if you prefer to get a much cleaner install of Win7 without the smothering HP bloatware you can always Clean Reinstall - Factory OEM Windows 7.

If for these reasons you don't really want the HP OEM partitions you can always delete them and use the space for your Dual Boot or recovering all or some of the space into Win7 partition.

Partition or Volume - Shrink
Partition or Volume - Delete '
Partition or Volume - Create New
Partition or Volume - Extend to the right
To resize to the left use free Partition Wizard CD to Resize Partition - Video Help.

 

[AddRAM]

Windows is NOT installed over 4 partitions, not matter what anyone told you. Windows only uses 1 partition. All you have to do is format or delete 1 of the partitions and you can use the space. When you get the pc up and running, post a shot of disk management and we can advise you further. Greg gave you sound advice.

 

[theog]

Windows is NOT installed over 4 partitions, not matter what anyone told you. Windows only uses 1 partition. All you have to do is format or delete 1 of the partitions and you can use the space. When you get the pc up and running, post a shot of disk management and we can advise you further. Greg gave you sound advice.

Windows 7 x64 UEFI uses 3 partitions.
Windows 8 x64 UEFI uses 4 partitions.

 

[Barman58]

Windows is NOT installed over 4 partitions, not matter what anyone told you. Windows only uses 1 partition. All you have to do is format or delete 1 of the partitions and you can use the space. When you get the pc up and running, post a shot of disk management and we can advise you further. Greg gave you sound advice.

Windows 7 x64 UEFI uses 3 partitions.
Windows 8 x64 UEFI uses 4 partitions.

Just out of interest, do these have to be primary partitions, I know I've had Windows installed on non Primary partitions in the past

 

[theog]

Hi Nigel

Windows 7 x64 UEFI uses 3 partitions.
Windows 8 x64 UEFI uses 4 partitions.

Windows installed in UEFI/GPT mode, you can have 128 primary partitions.

Windows and GPT FAQ

Ray.