Solved Clean Windows 8 Install Question

[hellish73]

I am looking to install windows 8 after using windows 7 Ultimate for as long as I can remember. I would like to do a clean installation of windows 8 and not one that copies over files from windows 7. As I do not have any way to backup my windows 7 files (i.e no external HDD) I have thought of splitting my 500gb HDD into two parts. I will then install windows 8 on the new half and then copy over files that I need later from the other half. After I have taken everything I need from the old half, I could delete it and give the disk space back to windows 8.

I am wondering if this is a fool-proof plan.

Thanks for taking your time to read this.

 

[JustATest]

You might want to consider setting up a dual boot arrangement:

http://www.eightforums.com/tutorials/2344-dual-boot-installation-windows-8-windows-7-vista.html

 

[hellish73]

Will I be able to transfer my old files from the windows 7 half to the windows 8 half?

 

[JustATest]

When you dual boot Windows 8, you'll still be able to access files on your Windows 7 partition; therefore, I can only assume that the file transfers can be done in a variety of ways; however, you might want to look at this alternative as well:

How to Seamlessly Share All Your Files Between Windows 7 and Windows 8

Good luck.

 

[alphanumeric]

Why not split the drive and then copy or move your files to the second partition. Then delete the windows 7 partition during the Windows 8 install. I have my user folders like documents, pictures, music etc stored on my second partition. When I need to do a clean install I just delete the windows partition and system reserved partitions and let windows create a new blank partition to install to. I don't touch my Data partition. Once windows is installed I just change the location of my user folders to the ones on my Data partition. If you install 8 to the second partition it will likely setup a dual boot with Windows 7. Deleting the Windows 7 partition then, will likely result in not being able to boot into any OS. You may also have issues trying to extend your drive back into the space left when 7 is deleted. The free space has to be at the end of the partition not before it, to be able to expand into it.