Format/install Win 10 and leave a data volume

Whatrymes · 12 Mar 2017

Hi:

I'd like to install Windows 10 fresh again but I do not want to remove Partition 5. I'm assuming in setup/custom I can remove the first 4 partitions, install in the unallocated space and Partition 5 will be left alone?

Thank you.

cereberus · 12 Mar 2017

Yes it should but crap can happen. Recommend you backup the partition with Macrium Reflect Free or similar first.

Whatrymes · 12 Mar 2017

Thank you and oh yes, I'll back-up everything before this, I've learned the hard way.

AddRAM · 12 Mar 2017

I`d lower the amount of your install partition, 435 GB is rather large for windows.

Berton · 12 Mar 2017

AddRAM said:

I`d lower the amount of your install partition, 435 GB is rather large for windows.

Agreed. My latest computer, 3 months ago, came with a 1TB HDD split as 150GB for C: and the balance for D: which I relabeled as Data. I put all my downloads and larger programs on D:.

AddRAM · 13 Mar 2017

Yep, you want a smaller windows partition and a larger data partition, because if you have no other drives, you`ll need some extra room on the data partition to store at least 1 disk image.