[SOLVED] Store existing files in seperate partition and reinstall Windows to a new partition.

[wtrfl]

Hi! I have an old laptop that I know is good hardware but has been slow because of lots of junk and files that I can't be bothered to sort through.

I had the idea to move the existing files to a partition on my hard drive, then clean install Windows on another partition. I just don't know how.

The computer is a laptop with 12gb ram and 2tb hdd.

Any help is appreciated! Thanks!

 

[USAFRet]

How much data are you looking at?
What type of files?

 

[wtrfl]

How much data are you looking at?
What type of files?

My disk is currently about 882 gb / 1.8 tb.
All types of files: documents, code, programs, images, etc.

 

[USAFRet]

My disk is currently about 882 gb / 1.8 tb.
All types of files: documents, code, programs, images, etc.

Docs, images, yes
Code, maybe, depending on the format
Programs, no.

They WILL need to be reinstalled after the new OS install.

It is MUCH safer to have your personal docs completely offline during this. Not just in another partition.

Some other physical drive. External USB, flash drives, whatever.

 

[wtrfl]

Docs, images, yes
Code, maybe, depending on the format
Programs, no.

They WILL need to be reinstalled after the new OS install.

It is MUCH safer to have your personal docs completely offline during this. Not just in another partition.

Some other physical drive. External USB, flash drives, whatever.

I don't want to transfer files to the new installation. I want to store the old files seperatly and install a clean version of WIndows to a seperate partition.

 

[USAFRet]

I don't want to transfer files to the new installation. I want to store the old files seperatly and install a clean version of WIndows to a seperate partition.

Yes, you can.
I'm just saying that anything you really wish to keep needs to be offline during this install process. Partitions or otherwise.
Seen the 'oops' far too many times.

If wanted partitions on that drive after the OS install: (and I seriously wouldn't do it, but...)

1. Copy your personal files to some other physical thing.
2. Do the install on this drive, deleting ALL existing partitions
3. During the process, create the 2 partition sizes you want.
4. Install the OS to whichever one you choose
5. After it is all complete, copy your personal files into that second partition

Messing with creating and resizing partitions on a drive that holds the only copy of your data can be hazardous.
And as said, your Programs will have to be reinstalled anyway.

 

[wtrfl]

Yes, you can.
I'm just saying that anything you really wish to keep needs to be offline during this install process. Partitions or otherwise.
Seen the 'oops' far too many times.

If wanted partitions on that drive after the OS install: (and I seriously wouldn't do it, but...)

1. Copy your personal files to some other physical thing.
2. Do the install on this drive, deleting ALL existing partitions
3. During the process, create the 2 partition sizes you want.
4. Install the OS to whichever one you choose
5. After it is all complete, copy your personal files into that second partition

Messing with creating and resizing partitions on a drive that holds the only copy of your data can be hazardous.
And as said, your Programs will have to be reinstalled anyway.

Thanks, and I know its not the best way, but I don't have the money to spend on a new storage device, and I don't have anything to use, so it's kind my only choice.

 

[Colif]

you can get pretty big USB sticks for very little money now. Just saying, I got a 256gb one and I can see it being handy in situations like this.

 

[USAFRet]

Thanks, and I know its not the best way, but I don't have the money to spend on a new storage device, and I don't have anything to use, so it's kind my only choice.

"and I don't have anything to use"

OneDrive, GoogleDrive, Amazon Prime drive, 256-512GB USB, microSD, etc, etc, etc.


Please show us a screencap of your current Disk Management window.

 

[USAFRet]

https://www.partitionwizard.com/free-partition-manager.html
Minitool Partition Wizard can manipulate your current partitions.
Shrink one, create another.

Move your personal files (not programs) into this second partition.
Install, deleting ALL partitions except this new one.
Let the OS install use the whole rest of the space.

How To - Windows 10 clean install tutorial

If you are looking for the Windows 11 Clean install tutorial, you can find that here: Windows 11 Clean install tutorial (Click here) Otherwise, welcome to the Windows 10 Clean install tutorial This tutorial is intended to help you, step by step, to perform a clean install of Windows...

forums.tomshardware.com

Hopefully nothing goes wrong.

 

[USAFRet]

And when you copy those files to the new drive or partition, don't copy the whole 'Library'. Documents/Pictures/etc.
Instead, copy just the files inside.

Those 'Libraries' carry the permissions of the old user. This new OS install will be a new user.

 

[wtrfl]

"and I don't have anything to use"

OneDrive, GoogleDrive, Amazon Prime drive, 256-512GB USB, microSD, etc, etc, etc.


Please show us a screencap of your current Disk Management window.

"Please show us a screencap of your current Disk Management window. "

"OneDrive, GoogleDrive, Amazon Prime drive"
One of my main reasons for doing this is the computer has become very slow. I'm hoping a clean install will fix this.
Transferring an amount of files of this magnitude might take a week or two.
I'm trying to avoid it coming down to that.

I've just thought of this:
If my personal files (most excluding programs) will not affect the performance of a new Windows install,
will the Windows installation media tool save that and carry it over?

Since (most of) what is on that computer is not important, I wouldn't mind risking some of it just to speed up the process.

(thanks for the quick responses, you've been very helpful )

 

[USAFRet]

I've just thought of this:
If my personal files (most excluding programs) will not affect the performance of a new Windows install,
will the Windows installation media tool save that and carry it over?

Unfortunately, no.

You're wanting to do a full wipe and reinstall, to fix whatever ails this thing.
Trying to keep parts of it (your docs) will be less than a real installation.

$40 for an external 1TB drive will safeguard your data. And you'll have that drive for future backups.