Should I move "libraries" to the data partition?

Trying to set up a new laptop & want to keep the OS partition clean. Not sure what Msft intends for the Data partition, but the OOB configuration doesn't seem to use it. Should I just move the Libraries ti the Data partition? Any guidance & suggestions for configuring the system are appreciated.

Thanks,
kev

 

I would move all user data to Data so that if you have to reinstall Windows your stuff will remain

 

Does that mean moving my "user" folder to the Data partition? I mean the "my named" folder under Desktop, or just folders like My Documents, My Pictures etc.

Thanks,
kev

 

I keep all of my data, music, video, documents, software etc on a separate partition, C: for windows, D: for my data, makes it a whole lot easier if something goes wrong in the unlikely event of a fresh install. I would also make a separate backup just in case the HDD fails.

 

Guys not to belabor this but for instance { IN VISTA} c:\users\%username&\appdata\ - should this be left on C in case of a fresh install?
How about the same folder where the install is 6 months old and numerous programs are already installed? (my instinct says no in this case) .
Like Full-English I keep all docs, music on D (seconday HDD) and back them up to an external HDD.

 

Use right button drag and drop combined with ctrl and you can move all folders in one step.

Right button drag and drop seems to be a well kept secret.

 

Yes; It is highly recommended.

benefits when backing up just the C drive:
1. faster backups and restore.
2. even if you revert to your system state weeks or months ago; you will still have your latest documents and data. And these can be 10x the size of your C drive. you save hours not having to backup and copy back your current personal documents and data.

Unless you really dive into moving all customizable config files; you will not retain your current browser bookmarks; program settings, etc. so make sure to have these settings exported into your data partition before restoring.

personally; when I reverted back to a previous C backup; I only had to reload a backup of my firefox bookmarks and I'm good to go.

 

Moving the libraries only is enough. There are ways to move all user data to another drive or partition, but it is rather complicated unless you do a clean install. Even while doing a clean install, the process isn't that simple, but it's much easier than having to move everything afterwards. The only thing that moving the data to another partition is drive failure.

 

if you actually USE the libraries correctly, you don't move any folder. you just add your d: (and all other partitions, and networked storage, etc) to the libraries. a library has more than one folder.

 

I would just leave whatever Windows default the way it is, and create an extra folder for personal data saving loads of headache as mentioned in many early posts about system repair etc ...

cheers ...

 

And then as mentioned in post above, using the libraries correctly, add the extra folders to the library, and use them as they are meant to be used.

 

personally, i just get rid of the data partition and use the default folders for everything. removes any hassles, and due to my backup system, is perfect.

but yes, what full-english and qhn said.

 

When i said moving the libraries, this is what i meant, tell windows to use the folders you want to use, not physically move the user folders. I suppose i wasn't clear .

As for leaving everything in the default folder, this is what i do when i'm using mechanical drives and scheduled backups. If you're the kind to forget to backup or use a SSD/HDD combo, then place your libraries on the other partition or drive.

 

With XP I was able to move the default location for My Documents, Pictures and Music to D drive and leave the OS and programs on C drive which made it much easier to back up, or reinstall, either, or both.

With Win7, the libraries make it a daunting task to make a similar arrangement, it's not as simple as drag and drop. After several attempts trying to follow a tutorial, I stopped trying. Now with the back-up software I'm using I need to back-up all of C which is close to 300GB.

 

OK, I think I see how that works now. I was trying to move my user name and the contents under it to D and couldn't figure it out.