Do I have to format a non-empty HDD before installing Windows 7?

[vitorhugo.gx]

Hi. I have a 750GB Seagate Barracuda ES.2 HDD, that I have been using as a secondary disk for Steam games and music & video, etc. My other drive, a 160GB Samsung HDD which came with my original PC, died on me the other day.

I currently only have these hard drives. Can I install Windows on the secondary disk directly, without having to format it? It's less than half full capacity right now.

 

[Math Geek]

you won't want to install windows to that drive as is.

you'll likely lose data along the way. you can partition it and install windows to an empty partition. this will allow the data to stay where it is. windows installer will need to create a system partition as well. it is VERY unlikely this will be done and all your data will be left alone

best bet is to partition the drive into 2 and install to the empty one. you may have to put the drive into another pc to do this if windows won't boot at this time.