Partition in Windows 7 Home Premium without formatting

[kulerdenyu]

Hi all,
I'm new in this forum and this is my first post. I'm from Indonesia so pardon me if my English is not that good. I just got a new Dell laptop with a Windows 7 Home Premium installed but only one partition exist. I need another partition just to separate the OS and my files (documents, musics, videos, and stuff) and really want to avoid all the troubles on formatting.
I've searched the web for tutorials but only found some for Windows 7 home basic, ultimate and others (not Home Premium).
What I need to know is, those tutorials (for home basic, ultimate, and others), does it works also for Windows 7 Home Premium? if no, can you help me by explaining it step by step? or point me to the link for it? (attached is my Disk Management screen shot)
Oh, I've already installed some programs on it. Should I uninstall those programs before doing any partition? and just some info, I'll be installing some light game and some graphic program (sketchup, illustrator, photoshop, etc) on my laptop. Maybe it will affect the partition size in some ways.
I think that's all. Hope I give enough information (or too much? ). Glad I found this forum. Thanks before, friends.

 

[tom982]

Hello kulerdenyu and welcome to the forums

Your English is excellent If you hadn't told me you weren't English, I wouldn't have noticed.

Try following this tutorial:

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/2674-partition-volume-create-new.html

Make sure you use option 1 (use disk management), it's much easier.

It will work in all versions of Windows 7

Tom

 

[kulerdenyu]

Thanks for your fast reply, Tom. Thank you, couldn't have done it without Google translate and Word's spell check.
I will see the link you've posted and post the result soon.

 

[Layback Bear]

If I may. You also have proper writing skills. You Caps Loc and punctuation keys on your keyboard also work properly. It was enjoyable to read your post.
Thank you for becoming a member.

 

[karlsnooks]

kulerdenyu,

I assume that you want to split that big C: partition and leave a small part for your OS and program files and another partition for Data.

My suggestion is to use DiskManagement..

If the results are not sufficient for your needs, then use PartitionWizard.

After creating the 2nd partition, then here is the approach I follow:
On D: (the data drive), I create following folders:
Documents,
Music,
Videos,
Pictures

then I change the properties of the corresponding libraries such that the new folders are the default folders for those libraries.

Here is my present layout,created using DiskManagement;



And here is a Snip showing that my Document folder points to D:\Documents



All of this reminds me that I need to update my system specs to reflect the new laptop.

 

[kulerdenyu]

If I may. You also have proper writing skills. You Caps Loc and punctuation keys on your keyboard also work properly. It was enjoyable to read your post.
Thank you for becoming a member.

Thank you, Layback Bear. Glad to join this forum. I’m looking forward to learn a lot about Windows 7 in this forum.

 

[kulerdenyu]

kulerdenyu,

I assume that you want to split that big C: partition and leave a small part for your OS and program files and another partition for Data.

My suggestion is to use DiskManagement..

If the results are not sufficient for your needs, then use PartitionWizard.

After creating the 2nd partition, then here is the approach I follow:
On D: (the data drive), I create following folders:
Documents,
Music,
Videos,
Pictures

then I change the properties of the corresponding libraries such that the new folders are the default folders for those libraries.

Here is my present layout,created using DiskManagement;

View attachment 226530

And here is a Snip showing that my Document folder points to D:\Documents

View attachment 226531

All of this reminds me that I need to update my system specs to reflect the new laptop.

Yes, I just wanted to separate the OS and the data, in case I need to reinstall my Windows. And yes, I’m using Disk Management to do the partition. However, I encountered a problem in shrinking part (creating an unallocated space). When I tried to shrink my C drive, it appears that I can only shrink it half, approximately 300 GB (snip attached). What I need is, to leave around 100 GB for C drive (OS) and have the rest for my Data. Can I do that? Or maybe you can recommend a proper size for my C drive?
Thanks before.

 

[AddRAM]

As mentioned, make and use the Partition Wizard Bootable CD. It`s so much easier and faster once you learn how to use it. Drop it in, boot from it, make your partitions, click apply. Take out the disc and reboot. Done.


Partition Wizard Bootable CD allows user to manage partition directly with partition manager bootable CD.

Personally, I would leave your OS partition at around 200 GBs.

 

[karlsnooks]

kulerdenyu,
Thought that might happen. One must do that initial shrink immediately.

There is a very easy solution: PartitionWizard.

Burn PartitionWizard to a CD and boot from the CD.

Free download Magic Partition Manager Software, partition magic alternative, free partition magic, partition magic Windows 7 and server partition software - Partition Wizard Online

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/93322-partition-wizard-use-bootable-cd.html

I also recommending making a Win7 System Image Backup to an external usb drive first as a precautionary measure. I've never had any problems. The only possible problem is malfunction on the part of the operator.

To make a system image backup:
Win | type Backup and Restore | ENTER key
Ignore all messages and choose System Image in the left-hand column.
From here on, everything is rather obvious.
We also have a tutorial:
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/663-backup-complete-computer-create-image-backup.html

 

[Arc]

I would suggest you to use Partition Wizard Bootable CD. to do the partitioning. There are some video tutorials for what to do and how to do.

For shrinking an existing partition, follow : How to Move/Resize Partition with partition manager? Partition Wizard Move/Resize Partition Video Help.

To create a partition in the unallocated space , follow : How to Create Partition with partition manager? Partition Wizard Create Partition Video Help .

After partitioning C, better you rebuild your MBR : How to Rebuild MBR with partition magic? Partition Wizard Rebuild MBR Video Help.

And, it would be better if you format the new partition as logical .

 

[karlsnooks]

I agree with all except for the later: logical partitions are unneeded in this case.

 

[Arc]

Needed, coz the OP may think to partition the HDD further at any point of time. Just an attempt, and convert the entire disk to dynamic.

When an op is seeking an advise on partitioning, we must to accept that he is not a hardcore geek like some of the long time members of SF. It is better to make things easier and with some more free options for them.

1. After three primary partition, if partitioning further, go for logical.
2. With four primary partitions, before going for further partitioning, first convert one to logical.

Among these two, option one is more acceptable, to me.

 

[karlsnooks]

neither is realistic,in my opinion, in these days and times.
Each to his own, said the man as he kissed the cow.

 

[kulerdenyu]

Thank you for your suggestion, AddRAM. Do you mind explaining why I need to leave my OS drive at 200 GB?

I’m currently downloading partition wizard now and making a system image backup to an external usb drive. One question, do I really need to boot from Partition Wizard cd? Or can I use the MiniTool Partition Wizard instead the bootable cd? Coz from what I saw in those tutorial videos posted by Arc, he launched the Partition Wizard from his desktop inside the windows. If the bootable cd is required, then I must buy the cd since I don’t have any blank cd right now and it’s 2 AM in the morning in Indonesia, all the computer stores are closed.

 

[karlsnooks]

As you see, I've never found any need for more than 60GB as long as one moves the docs, videos, pictures, and music to another partition.

Just wait for the stores to open. Running a repartition program like PartitionWizard on a "live machine" is courting disaster.

If you are ready to lose everything and start over from the very first again, then go ahead and do not follow the advice you have received.

 

[Arc]

Operations are the same, but better you use the bootable CD.

Coz, it does all the operations while the hdd is not in use.

Do it in the next morning. I will be available form 11 am your time, if needed. Obviously there are other helpers, too !

 

[whs]

One question, do I really need to boot from Partition Wizard cd?

Yes you have to operate Partition Wizard from the bootable CD or USB when you want to manipulate an active OS partition. Just make sure you image your C partition before you change it with PW. PW is an excellent program but it is easy to make a mistake or run into a problem where you can lose the partition you manipulate.

Btw; The reason you cannot shrink the C partition by more than appr. half is because somewhere in the middle of the partition is the MFT (master file table). Disk Management cannot move that, but PW can move it - which, of course is a tricky operation which takes some time. Just imagine you have a power failure or HDD problem during that operation. Then your C partition is lost. That's why I recommend to first make an image - safety first.

 

[kulerdenyu]

Alright, I’ll use the bootable CD, like you advised. I’ll post the result later. Thank you very much, guys. Really appreciate it.

 

[karlsnooks]

The unusual thing about that is that I've found that if I immediately, after a fresh install, shrink the partition using Disk Management then I can shrink down to a very small size. If I do not perform the shrink right away, then I end up with the "mid-way" problem.

don't understand. Just know what I observe.

 

[Bare Foot Kid]

Hello kulerdenyu, welcome to Seven Forums!


Have a look at Method One of this tutorial linked below, there's really no need for 3rd party software for operations like partition creation and manipulation as Windows will do everything needed.

If you want/need a fourth Primary just type ... - instead

create partition primary


​

Partition / Extended : Logical Drives