Re: System Restore, Multiple Partitions

Tech-Archive recommends: Repair Windows Errors & Optimize Windows Performance

Ken Blake, MVP wrote:
JD wrote:

Ken Blake, MVP wrote:

In fact, that is false. All programs, except for a rare trivial one,
have many associated files and entries pointing to them within
Windows, in the registry and elsewhere. So if you ever have to
reinstall Windows, you also have to reinstall all your programs.

So there is really no advantage to having program files in a separate
partition. Programs will all have to be reinstalled if Windows has
to be. I recommend that program files be kept in the same partition
as Windows is in.
I'm going to disagree with you Ken.

Programs like MS Works and Office have a default location where they
store their data files. That default location is the folder where the
programs are installed.


I know nothing about MS Works, but Microsoft Office does *not* default to storing data files in the folder where it is installed. It store data files in the My Documents folder. I strongly suspect (but don't know for sure) that Works does the same thing.

Honestly, I can't remember where either program defaulted the data files to. Seems like in 98SE they defaulted to the install folder but it's been a long time since I installed either program and now I'm on XP and it probably does use My Documents as the default.

And regardless of what the default is, it can be changed.

Yes, so in my madness(is there a method to it?) I like to keep the data files in the install folder.

On my computer, those data files are located on my D drive so you are
correct that I will have to reinstall my Programs should I have to
reinstall Windows but I shouldn't be losing any of my data files.

I've done it this way for many years and it works for me.


Your choice, of course. I can only make suggestions, not tell you what to do.


That said, one reply said I should have a System Restore for D since
the programs are located there. You say I shouldn't.


Right. There is no benefit to having it there.


--
JD..
.

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