New x201 Thinkpad - How to partition?

I have some questions about partitioning my new x201 HD.

It came with Windows 7 pre-installed so I wasn't able to create a separate 30gb partition for my OS. I'm thinking into the future and would like to do fresh installs of the OS to keep the computer running fast while keeping my files intact on another partition.

I was wondering:

- How can I partition my computer when Win 7 is already installed? Should I shrink an existing partition, I heard that's bad though. Just do a fresh install of Win 7?

- If I partition and install programs on a non-OS partition, do I still need to reinstall those programs them if I reinstall my OS (not complete reformat)?

- How to save my recovery partition to an external HD?

 

Burn the system restore disks from the hidden/recovery partition. That way you can rid yourself of that partition and have recovery disks too. That way you will be saving your recovery partition. If you want to save it to an external HD (although CD's are more useful I think) then just use Acronis or something to mirror the partition to an external drive.

Then the fact that win 7 is already installed is moot.

Wipe old partitions.

Repartition with a 30GB C: and rest for D:

Format C: and install win 7 on the 30GB C: drive.

I believe if you install programs to a non-OS partition (D and you reinstall win7 on C: you will have to reinstall the programs, since most programs aren't entirely self contained, registry entries, shortcuts, links n DLL files will be gone and most likely render the program unusable by the OS.