Installed 7, should I format HP_Recovery (D:)?????

[fillpereira]

I just installed windows 7 on my hp laptop. Everything worked out fine, but i notice my HP_Recovery (D is pretty much full. Should i format it or what should i do? And does having it full effect the performance of my computer?

thanks for the help

 

[not so gray matter]

If you aren't using the recovery data anymore and you still want to have a recovery partition, then you can format that partition and set up Windows to write a backup to that space once every X days.

Download Partition Wizard

Use it to wipe the partition

To Enable System Backups:

Start > Control Panel > System & Security > Backup and Restore > Set Up Backup

How To... http://www.howtogeek.com/howto/1838/using-backup-and-restore-in-windows-7/

 

[whs]

Is that the recovery partition from your previous system (e.g. Vista). If you have burnt the DVDs off it, then there is really no need to keep the partition. You can always use the DVDs if you want to go back to what was there before - if the DVDs work and have no errors.

PS: on HPs, the recovery partition is always very tight. They just give it the +10% so that it does not turn red in Computer. But that is OK. One is not supposed to touch it anyhow. Other manufacturers hide the whole thing.

 

[MilesAhead]

I've had a string of HP machines and after burning the CD/DVD set, at some point I always reclaim that space. Not so much that it's a lot of space, but I may put another OS on or do something else with it.

It's a good idea to use some kind of backup imaging program. That way you don't lose all your installed programs. Backup up to external USB is very convenient. I just got a USB 3.0 card and USB 3.0 docking stations. With a fast internal drive stuck in the dock, it transfers as fast as my internal HD. Great for backups or copying video to watch with a set top box. Fast internal drives are coming out cheap now. I just got one yesterday, plugged into the dock I'm getting transfer speeds in the 130 MB/sec range. Much more fun doing backup than to USB 2.0. Although USB 2.0 works fine for backups. Just start it going and go make a coffee.

edit: btw the main drawback to backing up to the same physical drive, assuming it's a conventional drive with disk heads etc, is it will thrash like crazy. You tend to get smoother action, even if slower, backing up to a USB or other drive.

 

[Zepher]

I'd leave it so if you sold the laptop you can restore it to the factory settings.

 

[Saltgrass]

I get around these types of questions by doing an image backup of the drive. Then I can do whatever I want, but if it becomes necessary, I can restore the drive to the original condition.

I use Acronis, but I believe there are some other image backup utilties that might be free.

Another option would be to replace the hard drive.....