Windows installed on 2 drives and need to format one of them

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  1. Posts : 18,424
    Windows 11 Pro
       #11

    However, judging from the bottom screenshot in post number 8 - that computer was booted from Disk 1, the 500 GB SSD, and it loaded the OS contained on Disk 1 as well. The 250 GB disk is simply holding a data partition. There might be a Windows installation on it, but in post #8 it's just files sitting there, not the running OS.

    I see no reason from what is posted in post #8 why you would not be able to reformat the 250 GB SSD.
      My Computer


  2. Posts : 20
    W8.1
    Thread Starter
       #12

    NavyLCDR said:
    However, judging from the bottom screenshot in post number 8 - that computer was booted from Disk 1, the 500 GB SSD, and it loaded the OS contained on Disk 1 as well. The 250 GB disk is simply holding a data partition. There might be a Windows installation on it, but in post #8 it's just files sitting there, not the running OS.

    I see no reason from what is posted in post #8 why you would not be able to reformat the 250 GB SSD.
    That's good news, thanks

    I have Acronis,

    Michael

    500 details.png - Google Drive

    500 contents.png - Google Drive

    250 program files.png - Google Drive

    250 progs 2.png - Google Drive
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  3. Posts : 20
    W8.1
    Thread Starter
       #13

    Caledon Ken said:
    Can you show us what is on the 500GB...

    as I look at this Disk 1 (Disk Management) is your boot drive so my statement it wouldn't boot if 250GB removed is incorrect, or could be incorrect.

    Please show us the directories on you 500GB ssd.

    If indeed the 250 GB drive is just your vendors old stuff and not yours you may be able to just clone / move the 500GB drive to the 250.

    Thanks for the additional screen shots.
    Thanks for the kind response.

    I'm sure many people on a hardware forum might think, "This guy's an ass".

    But maybe you and others are used to it.

    The truth is that if people who are software literate are 95% then the hardware literate are only 5%

    Here are 4~ images.

    I have Acronis.

    Michael

    https://drive.google.com/open?id=1F3...eI17NLJk9Jnepo

    https://drive.google.com/open?id=1Cl...1XQIqeHI53Fvzo

    https://drive.google.com/open?id=1AQ...ShoS9wnEFOt1Rg

    https://drive.google.com/open?id=1zq...pFew7wJo58v1yq
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  4. Posts : 30,120
    Windows 11 Pro x64 Version 23H2
       #14

    Hey nobody thinks anything of the kind.

    We are all here for help and to help. I came here looking for answers and stayed.

    Since you have an imaging tool you could Image the 250GB and then format.

    Is it you goal to get it, the 250GB, as the boot drive?
      My Computer


  5. Posts : 20
    W8.1
    Thread Starter
       #15

    Caledon Ken said:
    Hey nobody thinks anything of the kind.

    We are all here for help and to help. I came here looking for answers and stayed.

    Since you have an imaging tool you could Image the 250GB and then format.

    Is it you goal to get it, the 250GB, as the boot drive?
    Originally intended to use the 250 as the boot but have read conflicting stuff about keeping boot on one drive and all the programs on a separate drive and others who say all together - what says you?

    Now have 16mb of ram and PC is superfast. No more "working on it".

    I use Photoshop and Lightroom and perhaps amazing that Adobe recommends 12mb ram for Lightroom.

    Michael
      My Computer


  6. Posts : 30,120
    Windows 11 Pro x64 Version 23H2
       #16

    Yes I should have used better language.

    When I said boot drive I should have said OS / program (app) drive. On this build I started out with a 500GB C: but quickly reduced it to 200GB.

    I keep my data, for the most part, off this drive. This allows me to backup on different schedules. My OS/program drive I image monthly or before any major change.

    I still get the working on it as I access spinners. I believe they power down and need to be awaken.
      My Computer


  7. Posts : 18,424
    Windows 11 Pro
       #17

    redbourn said:
    Originally intended to use the 250 as the boot but have read conflicting stuff about keeping boot on one drive and all the programs on a separate drive and others who say all together - what says you?
    With Windows there is no real benefit to installing programs on a separate drive unless they are "portable" programs. Most Windows programs use registry entries and system files in various folders so if you reinstall Windows you have to reinstall most Windows programs from scratch anyway.

    Now there is benefit to be gained from moving user data files to a separate drive or partition.
      My Computer


  8. Posts : 42,734
    Win 10 Pro (22H2) (2nd PC is 22H2)
       #18

    Brink has added warning notes to the tutorials about using Location tabs. I'd like to think this reduces the number of cases where users make mistakes reported here. I much prefer to create my own folders on a 2nd disk for personal data.

    An exception to installing progs on a separate disk- while in principle definitely not optimal- is where e.g. a game is very large and the SSD system disk (e.g.) is limited, and such an installation means the bulk of the game's files are on the second disk.
      My Computers


  9. Posts : 20
    W8.1
    Thread Starter
       #19

    NavyLCDR said:
    With Windows there is no real benefit to installing programs on a separate drive unless they are "portable" programs. Most Windows programs use registry entries and system files in various folders so if you reinstall Windows you have to reinstall most Windows programs from scratch anyway.

    Now there is benefit to be gained from moving user data files to a separate drive or partition.
    So keep my SSD 500gb for windows and programs and use the 250 for ??

    I have another installed 500 mb drive - not SSD - which is empty.

    Not sure that I need Google back up and drive.

    Thanks
      My Computer


  10. Posts : 30,120
    Windows 11 Pro x64 Version 23H2
       #20

    Myself I would make the 250GB the boot program drive. Of course I don't know how many programs you have.
      My Computer


 

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