Win 7 fresh install, should I create 2 partitions?

[zach377]

I am about to install a fresh copy of windows 7 on my new machine. I've heard it's smart to create a separate partition on the HD to actually install the OS (about 15 gigs or so, enough for windows), so that if I need to reinstall I need not bother having to back up all my personal data and such. Is this how it would work (and a good idea)?

 

[rockyjohn]

I suggest setting up 3 partitions. Put OS and applications on one partition of about 100 GB - maybe a little more if you have a lot of games or applications. Made a second drive of about 100 GB for data and stuff that you will want to back up - having it on one drive makes backup easy - and that you will backup each time (with a total or incremental backup). On a third drive, save music and video that you don't need to back up, probably because you have the original CD or DVD, or you already made the one backup copy you need, and you dont want to repeatedly back this up. Separating this on a third drive saves a lot of time backing up the second.

 

[zach377]

Sounds good but my main concern was; if I were to reinstall windows, would I only need to wipe the data in the partition that has the actual win 7 files stored in it, leaving the other partitions intact?

 

[JackNaylorPE]

Good plan zach....

I'd do more than 15 Gigs tho....as it's nice not to have to reinstall all drivers apps which are MoBo specific and that can take ya to close to 40 GB (64 GB good size).

Might also wanna reserve a spot for page and temp files (D:\) at the front of the disk so they always remain at the fastest part of the disk....from there I add .... E:\Games .... G:\Programs .... H:\Data.....and I:\Backups .... but choose a scenario that works best for you....many peeps also add a Media partition but how you set up your HD is a very personal thing and pick what works best for you.

 

[marco324]

yes you put everything windows related on c: win games programs when you reinstall windows just quick reformat c: partition d: and or e: will be unaffected whatever is on them won't be lost plus it's faster to defrag the smaller partitions then the whole drive

 

[rockyjohn]

Most applications, when installed, load values into the Windows registry. So if you reinstall Windows you wipe out those values and most likely need to reinstall the application. Therefore I just keep them on the C drive with Windows and see no value in having separate drives for them.

I also used to have a backup partition, but did away with that with the ease of external backup drives today. You need the external backups anyway in case of drive damage or theft, so having one on the system became superfluos for me.

 

[JackNaylorPE]

Most applications, when installed, load values into the Windows registry. So if you reinstall Windows you wipe out those values and most likely need to reinstall the application. Therefore I just keep them on the C drive with Windows and see no value in having separate drives for them.

1. If you have C:\ as an image backup, no need to reinstall anything.

2. Yes, if you don't have the image, you have to reinstall the application more often than not (not so w/ many games BTW) but you don't have to install all the program updates, customizations, toolbars and everything else.