Reinstalling windows without formatting across multiple drives

S

stefan-west1

New Member
Hi all. I have my main windows files on my SSD and then user files and program files are on my standard 2tb HDD. I have a few issues with windows and would like to reinstall it to try and fix a few bugs. The problem I have is whenever I put the disc in and choose upgrade to not lose all my files and settings it tells me I can't because of having things on multiple drives and the only way I can fix this is by formatting them. Which I really don't want to do.

So is it possible to reinstall windows without having to do that?

Thanks


By the way it's windows 7 professional.
 
You can reinstall winodows on your SSD but you would have to reinstall all programs. Your personal data can stay where its at though.
 
If you attempt to do an upgrade you won't be fixing anything, reinstalling Windows to fix an issue will remove everything on your OS drive, and you'll have to reinstall your applications.
 
Just do a clean install on your SSD like you currently have. All the stuff on your other drive will remain.

Just be sure to select the right drive when it asks you which to install it to.
 
Troncoso said:
Just do a clean install on your SSD like you currently have. All the stuff on your other drive will remain.

Just be sure to select the right drive when it asks you which to install it to.
Click to expand...

He'll still have to reinstall his software.
 
Not technically. I mean, if that's causing his Windows problem, then yeah. But, if they are installed on the second drive as he suggests, there's a good chance they will work when Windows is re-installed. My entire Steam library is on its own hard drive, and when I re-install Windows, I just change the target folder or change the Steam drive's letter back to what it was before and Steam/the games work fine. I do this with another hard drive that is dedicated to non-Steam games and it also works fine.
 
Steam will replace any missing files, thats why it works. Regular programs will need to be reinstalled however. Registry entries and system files will not be there unless the program is reinstalled.
 
Troncoso said:
Not technically. I mean, if that's causing his Windows problem, then yeah. But, if they are installed on the second drive as he suggests, there's a good chance they will work when Windows is re-installed. My entire Steam library is on its own hard drive, and when I re-install Windows, I just change the target folder or change the Steam drive's letter back to what it was before and Steam/the games work fine. I do this with another hard drive that is dedicated to non-Steam games and it also works fine.
Click to expand...
It depends on the programs. Many write keys to the registry, modify system files, and install dependent files elsewhere on the boot drive.
 
Yes, this is true. But, there are also plenty that are pretty self-contained. MMO's usually seem to be. That or the launcher will repair broken/missing files when it's loaded.
 
This is exactly why software I make always saves settings in it's own files in it's own folder so when the user moves or copies the program's folder somewhere else such as on a completely different computer for example,every single setting stays saved.
I do use registry to save settings also,but only if I REALLY have to.

If other programs save settings on this way also,life would be so much simpler. :o

Stefan-west1 if you don't want to lose any of your installed programs and their settings,have you tryed to REPAIR Windows using your Windows 7 disk?
windows-7-startup-repair-7.jpg


Also could you tell us what bugs you are trying to fix?
They might be a lot easier to fix than you think so there may be no need for any of this...
 
Theres just so many aha. they come and go all the time, the main one is with windows freezing up for a few minute at a time, I've checked for any viruses etc. updated all the drivers and ran tests on everything but still it sometimes happens, as in I can go a couple of weeks with it freezing up for for a few minutes at a time every half hour or so and then all of a sudden it will be fine for a month or so. Plus I have trouble with some programs working, i.e. most games on steam, which I have re installed and verified and done everything I can do, yet they still don't work properly which leaves me to think there's a problem with windows but I'm not too sure, I was hoping if it was easy enough to do it wouldn't hurt to try. Also thanks for all the advice so far!
 
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