What does everyone think the ideal size of the partitions should be? Do you think it’s necessary having your disk partitioned at all? I am interested in what the logic behind it is.

This is one of those…“it’s up to you” kind of decisions. Obviously, it’s easiest to have everything on one single large partition. It’s easy to manage and you know where everything is.

I’m one of those people who like having multiple partitions. My reason is just because of the way I work. I have a two partitions. The first contains my system files and programs while the second has all of my data files. I move My Documents to be directly on D:\ and make sure all of my programs point to that directly. In most cases, it’s automatic as most programs default to My Documents. I regularly backup D: and occasionally backup C:. The rationale for this is that I can always reinstall the programs if needed.

The reason why I like this arrangement is that I typically mess around with a lot software. I’m constantly testing new stuff and occasionally, some of that stuff doesn’t behave well. So, I sometimes have to restore my C: partition using my Acronis TrueImage 7 imaging software. It saves me a lot of time since I don’t have to restore the entire partition. All the data is safe.

When you install a new application, do you use C:\program files or D:\program files?

C:\Program Files

I don’t install any applications on the D: drive. Only data goes on it. It makes restorations a breeze. I also keep various snapshots of the C:\ drive so I can restore back to a certain time (not unlike Window’s own System Restore) where I have a “clean” version with most of my apps installed.

I know you can move ‘my documents’ to the d: partition but can you move your whole user profile or at least ‘my favourites’ and stuff?

Well, it is possible but not recommended at all:

See this article on Microsoft’s Support Knowledgebase. It says only Win2K but it applies to WinXP as well.

Ok, there is possible another thing you could do…it’s somewhat involved but I think it will work. There are no guarantees and if you mess up don’t blame me.  :(  Also, this all assumes you have administrative control over the system.

I would also suggest creating a new user profile to try to make sure it works before trying it on your current profile. Note: It will create a new directory under the default C:\Documents and Settings. That’s fine. Leave it alone for now.

First prepare the location/directory that you want to store your profile in. Now, go to Computer Management -> System Tools -> Local Users and Groups -> Users.

Find your “new” username and click on the properties. In the Profile tab, input the path of your location in the “Profile Path” box. When you’re done, close everything log out of the account and login as the new user. It should then create all of the typical user directories in your new location. The old location will still exist but there shouldn’t be any data saved to it. Just leave it alone.

Next, run GPEDIT.msc (Group Policy Editor). Now go to Computer Configuration/Administrative Templates/System/User Profiles
Enable the second item “Delete cached copies of roaming profiles” and then you should be all done. What this does is keep your system from trying to maintain 2 copies of the data. It should force it to only read it from your new location.

If everything is working…then you can “convert” your profile to this new method or copy the profile over to the new account.

Good luck! 

By the way, just a silly question….how to move ‘My Document’ from C: to D:?

Thanks! 

Patrick

Here’s how to do it. This info is from a previous post by ‘gr00vy0ne’:
          “If it’s My Documents (and all subdirectories) then it’s extremely easy. Right click on your My Documents folder in Explorer and go to the properties. You will see that you can move your My Documents folder anywhere you want. You will have to logout momentarily while it does the move but everything works when you log back in.”