Effects of formatting a partition?

My Windows partition has a corrupted file system. I've tried fixing it, so far nothing works. At this point I'd just like to format it so that I can shrink it and use some of it's space on another partition. I have to format it before I can shrink it because it is corrupted. Would formatting it like this affect the Windows product key? I don't want to mess that up, in case I buy recovery media in order to re-install Windows.
All help appreciated!

I don't think it's important, but I am using a Toshiba Satellite S855 trying to fix Windows 8.

Is that the only OS on that drive? Are you definite about abandoning the repair?

ok then lets get that info backed up.. Do you need all of it or just your docs, pix, & music?

Theres a free program called recuva that it very good at retrieving data from unrecognizable or invalid drives..

If interested the instructions are here, this member has had recent sucess with the program..

http://www.eightforums.com/general-support/24824-cannot-find-files-using-enclosure-please-help.html


Its the last entry of the first page...