Reinstall W7 but keeping current installtion pro temp - possible?

[woody60]

I have a Windows 7 installation that consists of 1 hard drive partitioned so that c:/ has the programs installed and d:/ has all data files.
I now have got to the stage where I need to reinstall W7, but from past experience I know this will mean I will lose the use of it productively for a day or two. BUT I really need to have continual use of the computer for business.


So I am wondering if I could do this without too many problems:


1. Add an extra partition in the spare space on c:/ (to create e:/ )
2. Install another copy of W78 on e:/ and add the programs as time permits
3. Continue to use c:/ as normal for now
4. When I am ready

a. Delete the current W7 on c:/
b. Either delete c:/ or merge it with e:/
c. Rename e:/ to c:/
​

Do you think this will work?
What problems am I likely to face?
What precautions should I take?
Any advice gratefully received.

 

[seavixen32]

Welcome to Windows Seven Forums.

You cannot just delete Windows and you can't merge two partitions each with its own copy of Windows.

However you approach things you are going to be without your computer while you are reinstalling Windows.

In an ideal world you'd need two computers so that you can keep your business going while you maintain your offline computer.

I'd just choose the least productive time of the day and reinstall Windows if that's what you want.

However, the question has to be asked - what sort of problems are you experincing that warrant a reinstall?

 

[woody60]

Response

Thanks for yuor reply.
Dealing with the last questions first - over time I have added more and more (sometimes pointless) programs to the PC and now everything is very slow. I have always made it a point to do a fresh install every 18 months or so.
On the other matters:
I didn't intend to merge 2 partitions each containing windows. The idea was to get a second install, then reformat the existing partition so it's empty, and then either delete it and re-space the e:/ drive or merge the 2 - one empty, one with W7.
Is that feasible?
Thanks

 

[seavixen32]

First, you can uninstall any programs you don't need followed by using Disk Cleanup.

Second, many people do carry out a clean install every so often just to freshen things up. What I would suggest is that when you've re-installed Windows create a system image backup, which can then be restored at any time thus saving you the hastle of another reinstall.

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/663-backup-complete-computer-create-image-backup.html

Third, you can install a second copy of Windows, get rid of the first copy and reclaim the disk space. For reclaiming the disk space I would suggest using Partition Wizard, which is more versatile than Windows 7's disk management utility.

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

Basically, you create a Partition Wizard boot disc, boot into it and carry out your partitioning tasks, apply the changes, and then boot back into Windows.

To reinstall Windows: http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/1649-clean-install-windows-7-a.html

If you encounter startup problems afterwards: http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/105541-startup-repair-run-3-separate-times.html

 

[gregrocker]

Follow these steps which are the same when dual booting two copes of Win7: Dual Boot Installation with Windows 7 and Vista. Use only Primary Partitions for OS's.

Note that you are to boot the Win7 installation DVD and not run it from C. This will assure that whichever Win7 you are booted into will show as C.

You can give each install it's own distinct name on the menu by installing EasyBCD 2.0.2
to use the Edit OS Menu tab.

When you're ready to delete the original Win7, boot into free Partition Wizard bootable CD, rightclick on new Win7 to Modify>Set to Active, then click on Disk # to highlight it, from Disk tab select Rebuild MBR, Apply, reboot to see if new Win7 is now System Active. If not boot into Win7 DVD System Recovery Options to run Startup Repair - Run 3 Separate Time.

Once new Win7 holds the System Active flag, boot back into PW CD to rightclick old Win7 to Delete, then rightclick new Win7 to Resize, slide border to take up the Unallocated space.

If you have any problems post back a screenshot of your maximized Disk mgmt drive map with listings, using Snipping Tool in Start Menu.