1. Install windows on a partition C:\
Don't format the full disk!
Just format enough space for the Windows. Make as big as the biggest program you think could install. Thats because when you install into the new Program Files PARTITION windows calculates the free space on letter C:\ forgetting that there is another Partition mounted in C:\Program Files directory. There is a way around this: just add a letter for the Program Files partition and install into that letter. its ugly but works.
Mine recomendation is to format about 20GB. Thats more than enough.
2. Login with administrative privileges.
3. Run regedit: (Start menu -> Run -> regedit ) and change the following keys
#
# !!WARNING!!:
# Do NOT change the system profile path! (%systemroot%\system32\config\systemprofile)
#
3.1 Open the key HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion
Set
CommonFilesDir = "C:\Program Files_\Common Files"
ProgramFilesDir = "C:\Program Files_"
3.2 Open the key HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\ProfileList
set
ProfilesDirectory = "%SystemDrive%\Documents and Settings_"
3.3 Open each subkey of the HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\ProfileList EXCEPT the systems profile's key (you will recognize it by the value of its ProfileImagePath variable: %systemroot%\system32\config\systemprofile)
... and set the following variables in each subkey (they have names like S-1-5-19*** )
ProfileImagePath = "%SystemDrive%\Documents and Settings_\
"
4. Restart the system in safe mode. (be sure it is in safe mode!)
4.1 Log in as Administrator
The system will tell you that it cannot load the user's profile press OK and it will load a DEFAULT system's account profile (%systemroot%\system32\config\systemprofile)
Thats ok and temporary, you have a usable administrator's privilege to the system.
4.2 Open Windows Explorer and set the options to SEE ALL KIND OF SYSTEM/HIDDEN and so on Files!
4.3 Cut & Paste all files in Program files directory to some location you know:
for instance: C:\Programs.old
Make sure that C:\Program Files directory is empty
4.4 Cut & Paste all files from C:\Documents and Settings to some location you know:
for instance: C:\Documents.old
4.5 Open Computer Management console (right click on My Computer and "manage") and select Disk management
4.6 Create & Format Partitions for Programs (C:\Program Files), Profiles (C:\Documents and Settings) and for a swap file (size: x1.6 or x2.0 your RAM)
4.7 Mount every partition into the appropriate emptied folder (except swap partition -> it should be on a letter):
(right click on partition -> Change Drive letters and paths -> Add -> Mount in following empty folder)
programs partition -> "C:\Program Files"
profile/home -> "C:\Documents and Settings"
swap partition -> Z: (for instance)
4.8 Copy back all the files you moved into their appropriate places. Now they will be on a separated partitions.
4.9 Revert ALL the changes you made to the registry!
5.0 Open My Computer's properties (ricght click on My Computer -> Properties)
Open Advanced tab -> click the Settings under "Performance" -> click Advanced tab -> click Change on the Virtual Memory section
Now select drive C: and press "No paging file" radio buton, then press "set" button.
This will tell windows after install not to use C:\ for swapping.
Now select the drive letter for the partition you created for swapping purposes. Press "custom size". Enter the size of the swap partition (Z:\) minus 10% - 15% of it (Windows can't work properly with drives that are almost full).
Press Set. press ok.
Windows now will tell you to restart the system. If you are sure you reverted ALL the changes then restart!
6.0 Login into the newly created system. Install drivers and use it...
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Pros & Cons:
Pros:
The sytem will have a layout wich separates data on the disk according to whether it is READONLY, READ/WRITE, Commonly accessed.
When you install on a different partition and keep your private data away from programs and system, you benefit from less defragmentation of the disk:
Your system's partition with windows on it will rarely get fragmented and windows will load faster.
If install ALL the software you need and defragment the program files partition you will benefit from faster loading of your programs.
Separation of your profiles directory (or your 'home') is a good thing too: if something bad happens to windows all your files and settings are in separate partition.
Cons:
The problem i described in the beginning: Windows fails to give accurate information about the free size on a given directory. It misses the fact that it should check the mount points in directories too. And most of the programs decide to install only if there is enough space on the "drive" letter.
