Solved Win7 64bit: Installing in other drives/partitions

[diemeow23]

I came here because I've been searching for at least 2 hours and haven't seen a direct answer to my problem so if my problem turns out to be really noobish please, do tell.

Okay I live in an area with frequent black-outs and it makes a very risky place to live especially if your a "System Drive C" I recently lost large chunks of my files and utilities thanks to a recent black-out even with my UPS plugged to my AVR(They said this was okay in the shop XD). So next week I'm upgrading to Win 7 Ultimate 64 bit but I purposely want to install some files on my other partitions like drive D, so when I install the 64 bit Win7 will it create the two "program files" on the other drives? If not can I somehow do it manually and create two "program file" folders? DO I really have to install in neither folders?(Like playing small time games in Documents for example)

The purpose for my installing on other drives is so that if a another freak black-out happens majority of my regularly used files will be on other drives and not be lost forever due to O.S. corruption like last time XD

Since I'm pretty sure a lot of my apps are 64 bit ready and the two folders are just for (in case) situations like apps that don't recognize 64bit dlls. I need you guys cause the rest of the places I've looked have either missed the point of the questions asked completely or are too full of jargon.

 

[Golden]

Hi,

There is an easier solution, and one that will work flawlessly : image your current system using Macrium. You can store this image on an external USB, and if required very easily restore this image back to your PC in around 15 to 20 minutes.

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/73828-imaging-free-macrium.html

Forget this double Program File stuff - even if it can be done, and thats very doubtful, its fraught with difficulty. Do yourself the biggest favour you can - read the tutorial and go the image route.

Regards,
Golden

 

[diemeow23]

Wow a reply already thanks

I just saw the vid and while I'll heavily keep it in mind(planning to use it in the future) I still need an answer to my questions cause I use lot's of apps and data space so cleaning up C and transferring Data to other drives, I'm already doing this, and more importantly I simply want to know

Cause right now I also play a lot of indie games scattered all over my PC(not pretty I know) for example I know that one could even install anything almost anywhere in a 32 bit(like properly installing starcrat or counter strike in documents or music(not recommended I know, I just saw one of my friends do it)) what I'm concerned is if there is a bigger restriction in a 64bit system or can you go possible crazy with your installation paths and install anywhere like my 32 bit right now(except when a 32bit app isn't working -- then I'll put it in the x86 program files folder or/and use compatibility

 

[diemeow23]

Bumping thread

My O.S. comes in less than a week so I'd like to be informed so that I can plan ahead :shock:

 

[Golden]

There is no restriction to how you install applications between x86 and x64.

 

[gregrocker]

You can always rescue your files from irreparable Win7 using Step 9 in Troubleshooting Windows 7 Failure to Start. But you may be able to repair an OS using the steps given there.

If you want data on a second partition, create one by shrinking C to make a separate partition D. Partition or Volume - Shrink. Many new PC"s do this for you.

Be sure to plug your electronics into a Surge Protector.

 

[diemeow23]

Thank Golden and gregrocker

So to make things clear I can basically do what I do right now with my 32 bit and if there is a snag there's always the x86 folder and compatibility

But wait I read that the x86 folder helps 32bit apps direct their files correctly to SysWOW64, is this feature only available in the original C Drive/Program Files(x86) ? or can this be replicated on other partitions?

For example:
My Drive C has the original Program Files(x86) for 32bit programs and the drive is already full of essential programs both 32bit and 64bit apps, can I somehow create a (x86) folder on my other partitions or will this redirect feature only work on the system drive so that I can install other 32bit apps(that have compatibility problems) on my other drives? Just in case

 

[diemeow23]

Le Bump!

Hehehe Got my OS(it's sitting here...somewhere) bumping thread, still curious with my final question

 

[AddRAM]

As mentioned, you can do it however you want, but it`s not the right way to do it. Let 7 handle it, then make an image.

 

[diemeow23]

Thanks a lot guys, feels pretty much the same

But of course I know where to ask again if I run into a dead end