Setting up OS (Windows) partition AFTER install

[123computer123]

Had to set up my laptop anew.

Unfortunately only after I installed Win 7 & all my needed programs already,
did I decide that I like to have the OS on a separate partition.

Now my question:
would the following work, (to avoid having to re-install it all again).

My idea is
- making either an image back up of the c:/ drive or clone it with a third party software.

- Then create two new partitions on that c:/ drive.
(So I have one partition for Windows, one for other programs, and one for files.)

- Then delete all the other programs from the original set up, so only Windows is left on that partition.

- Then restore the image back up or cloned drive, onto the new (2nd) partition.

- And then delete Windows from there somehow,
probably by deleting all Windows' files out of the Program Files' folder (?)
(Haven't worked with partitions before, so not sure whether I could use 'uninstall a program' from only one partition, but keep it on another one ?)

Might appear long-winded but this type of saving and restoring would be less hassle for me,
then having to start from scratch and re-install everything again.

Would this work??

Thanks for your feedback on my idea.

 

[beers]

Sounds like a lot of work for no real benefit.

 

[johnb35]

No real benefit at this stage since you are running Windows 7. You could actually have a second partition for your personal data files if you wish. You can shrink C and create a new partition using minitool partition wizard or even disk management if thats an option. You would then right click on each user folder such as documents, music, video, downloads, etc and click on location tab and change it to whatever new drive letter you created. How big is your drive?

 

[123computer123]

Will just have to try it out and see how it goes.