Configuring a partition for software?

[FAMEOLD]

I have a 1TB HDD split into two partitions. one of them is for not mutch more than the OS (C:\) and another is for everything else (D:\). My goal was to install every program on the D: partiton and keep the C: partition clean. With this method i wanted to avoid losing my programs if i had to reinstall windows some time. so yesterday i had to reinstall windows and i stil do have all my programs. sadley half of it wont start anymore becouse these programs arn't registered anymore.

I don't need help with regestering programs since i didnt lose the important programs. but i would like some help with the following things to avoid these problems next time.

Configure my partitions as an OS partition and a software partition.
I want to save EVERY file into my D: partition. With this i meen that i change the locations of where my software automaticaly installs and where my documents or savegames will be saved (and readed if possible).

a tool that saves and loads my registery if i need to reinstall windows another time
to avoid progams to startup next time.

A tool to save some settings
I have some programs that were important to startup. i would like to save the settings i made in msconfig.


If people have an easy way to do this feel free to bring up ideas i need remove allot of my D: partition aniway. (Oh and i do have a backup HDD to if that could help.)

thanks for the help

 

[johnb35]

You can't just put all your programs on a different drive and expect them to work after a reinstall. The problem being is that programs will always write registry entries and system32 files and others so that the program runs correctly.

 

[voyagerfan99]

Just as a note, when you install programs, registry keys get installed as well as other small hidden files on the C:\ drive, so that's why your programs won't start.

If you want to install ALL your software on the D:\ drive, all you need to do is be sure you do a custom install or choose the advanced option when installing software. Then change the default install directory to wherever you like.

For the user data, I'm going to assume we're talking about Windows 7 here. If so, you can move your user libraries to the D:\ drive. Right click on the My Music folder in the c:\users\*user name* folder - you should see a location tab >> move >> anywhere you like. Repeat with other folders. You don't really want to move the Users folder because it may cause issues down the road.

You really don't want to take your old registry from an old install and stick it in a new install. It'll cause issues. But if you're bent and determined to do so, just open the registry editor and choose File>Export, and you can save your entire registry that way.

Can't really save the startup.