Getting ready for Windoze 7

[Fumigator]

A new hard drive is arriving today and I want to size the C: partition large enough to handle Windows 7 once I install it. How much room does Win7 need? I really don't want to oversize it since I typically format C: five times a year and I like the finality of the "full" format which takes forever on larger partitions. I'd like to give it just enough room but not too much. The drive is 750G total, I believe.

[oracleguy]

The Windows 7 RTM that I have installed on one of my computers is using 31.7GB but I also have office, and a bunch of dev tools and a few other programs installed on it. The Windows folder is using about 14GB.

Are you going to just put the OS on the C: or the OS + Programs?

[Fumigator]

The Windows 7 RTM that I have installed on one of my computers is using 31.7GB but I also have office, and a bunch of dev tools and a few other programs installed on it. The Windows folder is using about 14GB.

Are you going to just put the OS on the C: or the OS + Programs?

Good question... I've always hated "Program Files", don't ask me why, mostly probably because it's impossible to change the default to something else, and who are THEY to tell me where my default installs should go? But in recent years I've become lazy and just click through install programs using the default... so.. I'll probably continue the trend and most install utility and freeware-type programs on C:. Games all go on G:. Huge installs go on E:.

I mean really, how hard would it be for M$ to give us a nice little window where we can point default directories for installs, documents, music, etc. rather than being forced into their "My Blah" silliness. Yes, I'm neurotic.

[oracleguy]

Good question... I've always hated "Program Files", don't ask me why, mostly probably because it's impossible to change the default to something else, and who are THEY to tell me where my default installs should go? But in recent years I've become lazy and just click through install programs using the default... so.. I'll probably continue the trend and most install utility and freeware-type programs on C:. Games all go on G:. Huge installs go on E:.

I mean really, how hard would it be for M$ to give us a nice little window where we can point default directories for installs, documents, music, etc. rather than being forced into their "My Blah" silliness. Yes, I'm neurotic.

Actually you can do that. You have to create a custom install disc based off your stock one but it can be done. I know if you do it by hand it is possible but if you use a nice utility like nLite it might have the option to set it. I don't have nLite on this computer so I can't check for you.

And there are other advantages of doing that, while you customize that, you can just enter in all your info so the install can be fully unattended.

Also in case you aren't aware, on 64-bit there are two program files folders, one for 64-bit apps and one for 32-bit apps. But that isn't a big deal.

The way I have my (64-bit) windows setup is a 150GB raptor system drive where I install windows and all my programs. And then a 500GB RAID 1 where I have the my documents, music and picture folders plus all my other user data. That has worked well for me so far, so when I reinstall, I just reformat the 150GB drive since you usually have to reinstall a lot of programs anyways, there isn't any reason not to put them on the system drive.

[Apostropartheid]

Couldn't you use a symlink to force program files to move?
Anyway, I think you should be heading towards 30-40GB in your current setup, but I honestly don't get why you'd split up programs like you do. Windows itself is big and this gives it room to breathe for future updates, plus lots of lovely room for all those programs.

[oracleguy]

Couldn't you use a symlink to force program files to move?
Anyway, I think you should be heading towards 30-40GB in your current setup, but I honestly don't get why you'd split up programs like you do. Windows itself is big and this gives it room to breathe for future updates, plus lots of lovely room for all those programs.

I don't believe NTFS supports symlinks. It does support mount points though, you can mount a hard drive to a specific folder instead of a drive letter.

Splitting up the programs from the OS was common back when programs were more contained, that way you didn't have to reinstall and reconfigure them when you reloaded your OS. But now days since so many programs use the registry and place files in the Windows folder and such, it isn't as practical.

Splitting your data and your OS+Programs is the best approach these days, imo. Like on Linux when you use a separate drive or partition for your home folder.

[Apostropartheid]

I'm sure it does. I've definitely used them before to map a folder in the C drive to one in D so I could run Photoshop without reinstalling.

[Fumigator]

A recent Maximum PC issue had a "how-to" article (http://www.maximumpc.com/article/howtos/howto_master_your_file_system_mklink) in it that describes how to use symbolic links in Windows Vista/7.

[primefalcon]

I don't believe NTFS supports symlinks.
SYM links and hard links for sure

[oracleguy]

A recent Maximum PC issue had a "how-to" article (http://www.maximumpc.com/article/howtos/howto_master_your_file_system_mklink) in it that describes how to use symbolic links in Windows Vista/7.

Thanks for the link. That is a feature I'd actually use. I have been contemplating upgrading to Windows 7 at home when it comes out.