Solved Is this be a good idea for my new Partition organization?

I'm posting this here because I'm hoping to get better performance and maintenance.

Previously, I would use windows as it was ie. Everything saved in the library, the downloads, pictures, vids… etc.


My 97 GB C partition was for Windows, programs and the library. I had two other partitions; 314 GB D: Mass Storage, where I would throw everything else in (like videos that windows did not automatically put in the library) and a small 52 GB E, for Urgent storage (because I knew I would suddenly need extra storage so I kept this as a reserve- only to use when urgent. I am a bad computer user, I know).


So, in the new organization, I want to make things less on C. I will merge D and E and create one BIG partition where almost EVERYTHING will be placed, except Windows and Programs.


That means the library will literally have nothing but shortcuts based in the new BIG partition (let’s call it F). So the download folder in Library will be really empty, but it will be a shortcut to another folder called F:Library\downloads. In other words, everything will be based in F, except Windows and Programs.


That said, C will probably need a smaller partition, while F will demand more, since it is already almost full. I was thinking, maybe 70 GB will be enough for C? and add the extra 30 GB to F?
It looks like a good idea, but is it? Do you think I should go with it?

Thanks

Not really. There's no real benefit to separating the core OS and programs because even if you do a refresh, as opposed to restore, you'll likely need to reinstall the programs anyway. Changes to the registry and what not will get wiped out, so what exactly are you gaining?

Sticking files generated by programs, like MS Word for example, on another partition is fine. There's no performance benefit, but it can make it easier to target a backup program. Of course you have to remember that if the HDD goes titsup it doesn't matter if you have things broken up into different partitions.

Then as for the emergency storage bit... That requires a level of discipline which would generally make it superfluous. I'm more or less the same way, so far be it from me to cast any kind of aspersions, but based on your admitted laxity on these types of issues the most likely scenario is that sooner or later your "emergency only" storage will become the final resting home of a bunch of miscellaneous things. Without a neutral third party to enforce these rules, like say an IT admin, you can always undo any restrictions you put on yourself. It then follows that if you had the discipline needed to not undo your own restrictions, you wouldn't need the restrictions in the first place. So it logically follows that while you may start off with the best of intentions, it won't end as you want.

If it were me, I'd have at most 2 partitions. One smaller partition for things like photos and documents and then one much larger partition for the OS and programs. Even that second partition is of dubious need as long as you can at least keep yourself storing everything under the library folders, making backup as easy as copying the top-level directory for the library. Some potential exceptions might be if you have a lot of large Steam games, you may want to get a large second HDD to store them all on just so they don't eat up all the space on your main drive.

If you frequently disk image your OS then separating the OS from Programs and Data can have one benefit : faster backup.
In this case, since the registry is backed up too, there's no real need to save the Programs folders too, so it's not a bad idea.
I had a similar setup under Windows 7 and it worked without problems for me. Not all programs were separated though, only non MS ones which allowed to be installed to something else than C. I restored the OS many times without a hitch.

The only other benefit I can see is if you use a SSD for your main drive. Wear leveling strategies are much more efficient the more free space you have on the SSD, and if you include Programs the SSD can quickly be almost full. More free space gives a more consistent write speed performance and also increases your drive's life span.
With larger SSD sizes available today though it's not as important, and not installing Programs on your SSD kinda defeats the purpose of having it in the first place (having executables launch fast is why many people buy them).

Other than that, I think you're better off doing what asvent suggests and only keep user's data separate (libraries and such).

Good links to check to organize your user's data the easy way :
http://www.eightforums.com/tutorials/4275-user-profiles-relocate-another-partition-disk.html
User Folders - Change Default Location - Windows 7 Help Forums
http://www.eightforums.com/tutorial...efault-public-save-locations-windows-8-a.html
http://www.eightforums.com/tutorials/12954-library-add-folder-windows-8-a.html

By putting everything in the library system and linking them to another drive, you can separate Data from OS without hassles.

I use 2 partitions but find it difficult to justify more unless dual booting with another OS. A big problem with multiple partitions is that often one will prove too small while another has space to spare. Even experts get this wrong. So often I have heard of cases where a user creates 2 partitions, accepts the defaults for all data storage, and the OS partition is full while the other almost empty. With multiple partitions you must discipline yourself to use the partitions as you intended. You can't rely on the OS to do this for you, as many have done.

oneeyed said:

Other than that, I think you're better off doing what asvent suggests and only keep user's data separate (libraries and such).

Click to expand...

That's exactly what I want to do, One partition for OS and Programs, the other for User's Data. So it is a good idea. Good to know. How much do you think would be use to put for the OS and Programs? I have a 500 GB hard drive.

goldendye said:

That's exactly what I want to do, One partition for OS and Programs, the other for User's Data. So it is a good idea. Good to know. How much do you think would be use to put for the OS and Programs? I have a 500 GB hard drive.

Click to expand...

System requirements - Microsoft Windows

As you see in the requirements, the OS in itself doesn't take much space, although it will increase with time due to updates, restore points, indexing, etc...
So it will depend a lot on what programs you install.
I myself for my home PC use a 150GB partition for the OS (Win 8.1 64-bit, programs included), and only 46 GB is used. I haven't installed much though.
I think around 120GB is alright, although you can do with less (at least 64GB IMO). You're better off giving you some leeway in case you install much more than you expected.

Just be sure to clean up regularly if you care about free space. The built-in Disk Cleanup is a great tool for that and often overlooked. But there are others things you can check, here is a good guide on that : Guide to Freeing up Disk Space under Windows 8.1 - Scott Hanselman

oneeyed said:

goldendye said:

That's exactly what I want to do, One partition for OS and Programs, the other for User's Data. So it is a good idea. Good to know. How much do you think would be use to put for the OS and Programs? I have a 500 GB hard drive.

Click to expand...

System requirements - Microsoft Windows

As you see in the requirements, the OS in itself doesn't take much space, although it will increase with time due to updates, restore points, indexing, etc...
So it will depend a lot on what programs you install.
I myself for my home PC use a 150GB partition for the OS (Win 8.1 64-bit, programs included), and only 46 GB is used. I haven't installed much though.
I think around 120GB is alright, although you can do with less (at least 64GB IMO). You're better off giving you some leeway in case you install much more than you expected.

Just be sure to clean up regularly if you care about free space. The built-in Disk Cleanup is a great tool for that and often overlooked. But there are others things you can check, here is a good guide on that : Guide to Freeing up Disk Space under Windows 8.1 - Scott Hanselman

Click to expand...

That is great advice, thank you very much!:thumb: