What are the steps to completely separate the Windows partition from Program Files etc?

Question

(this is all being done on a clean install on a 1TB hard drive)

My Goal
Primary Drive: has Windows 7 installed
Secondary Drive: has everything else, program files, User Documents, etc.

I want to install only Windows 7 to the first drive, and move the rest of the folders to the second non-OS partition. This way I can simply wipe off the primary drive and re-install an OS if necessary, without compromising my files. I know how to partition drives and install Windows, I'm just curious how to set all the defaults to the second partition, and whether or not I will encounter any issues with separating the Program Files and Users. I really JUST want the basic Windows files on the first drive

I appreciate any help and will try to provide any further necessary information regarding this procedure.

Answer 1

There is no problem having the Programs Files on another partition or even another physical drive to Windows. However you really need to do a re-install to achieve this.



Software does not only install files to the program files folder but also to the registry and to windows folders, so you will still need to re-install your software if you re-install windows anyway, even if you move program files to its own partition.

Just moving the program files to another partition or drive is not really a good idea with your current install. Re-installing windows 7 is not an onerous task and that way you won't end up with software that won't run and shortcuts that won't work. You will of course have to ensure you manually change the install folder for software as you install it [otherwise it always defaults to creating a program files folder on the C drive]



Moving users data is a little more complicated but windows 7 allows you to set up new locations for My Music, My Pictures etc by right clicking on the folder and selecting location tab and choosing a new location. This is as near as you can really get to doing what you want to achieve.



If you have several partitions and or physical drives it is always a good idea to move the swap file [page file, virtual memory] to its own dedicated partition, as it will speed things up a little not having on the same partition as windows itself. You can manually change the partiton for the

swap file from ControlPanel>System>Advanced System Settings [from the left hand menu] and then open the "performance settings" option then "Advanced" tab and "Virtual Memeory".

Answer 2

No matter what, when you install new applications/programs they update the system registry with information that's necessary for them to run (even if you're installed them to a different drive). So whenever you re-install the OS you'll need to reinstall your applications as well- although your approach would ensure the data is separate.

Answer 3

there is not any difficulty-free thank you to head software data to a distinctive region with out re-setting up them as they generally have hundreds of entries that would desire to get replaced. Many courses avert you from doing this to guard piracy. the final you're able to do is changing the default save region on your D: force by way of going to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESOFTWAREMicrosoftWi... and changing the save course. this might basically have an consequence on newly put in courses tho.

Answer 4

Upgrade to windows 7