Is there a method to reshape the partitions on the boot drive after two years of use?
Is there a method to reshape the partitions on the boot drive after two years of use?
As mentioned in the title, I aim to isolate my Windows setup from the rest of my files—just like installed programs, documents, and images. Back when I built the PC, I wasn’t particularly familiar with reinstalling the OS, so I just went ahead. Of course, I’d prefer this process to be as smooth as possible. I could probably set up Windows on a new drive and transfer files one at a time, but I’m unsure which folders to check to avoid losing data.
Currently, the C drive holds three partitions: 100MB EFI, 728MB Recovery, and 930GB usable space for the Windows install. My goal is to transition to something like 100MB EFI, 728MB Recovery, and 30GB Windows installation (using 30 as a rough estimate), which would leave 900GB available.
Given my upcoming upgrade from a Ryzen 7600X to a 9950X3D, I’d need a clean Windows install to prevent compatibility problems similar to those discussed in a previous video where a user faced issues with the Core Parking problem on non-X3D systems. I also want to be prepared for any future OS reinstalls, without risking data loss.
Therefore, I’m considering a fresh Windows installation after the fact, possibly through repartitioning, to ensure everything stays intact.
Why?
There are some cases where you might be able to isolate the applications from the operating system, though. However, there are reports suggesting that splitting an SSD into major partitions can lead to slower performance. The hidden hardware cache also gets divided, which further reduces efficiency. Based on your partition size suggestions, the 30GB for Windows doesn't seem ideal. You currently have a 1TB drive—keep it as is.
As you said, the 30GB was just a placeholder to simplify the rest; the actual size will be different if this approach is possible.
The need to separate windows comes from wanting to carry out new installations now and in the future without affecting the rest of the data, especially if there are any major problems with the operating system.
Yes, I understand that purchasing a smaller SSD for Windows alone and another one for the remaining files would have been more suitable, but I can't recall that advice to myself at the time.
Also, separating apps means installing a specific app—like Steam—on drive D instead of the default C during the installation process.
In this situation, I was wondering if it's possible to move an already installed application.
I don't get it either. All Jaytwocents tried to solve the issue by using Revo Uninstaller to remove the AMD chipset drivers and clear any old driver files (registry and files), then reinstalling them again. It’s a process that should happen every time you change the CPU, almost like a fresh Windows install would do.
You’re spending a lot of time on this just to avoid using Revo Uninstaller?
Every other solution in his video didn’t involve a fresh install (such as changing the Windows power plan or BIOS settings) and are things you’ll still need to check even after a fresh install.
Those who say a regular fresh install is necessary usually have Chrome and Steam installed on their C drive, so for them it’s not a big deal. But for many others, it’s a major hassle. If your computer is running smoothly, there’s really no point in doing that—it’s just a huge waste of time. A fresh Windows installation is the most recommended fix on forums like this for most problems, and often a simpler alternative would have worked (like the one shown in Jaytwocents’ video). It’s like taking the car to the mechanic and telling them they need to replace the whole engine because there’s an oil leak.
It's close to the end when he discusses removing with revo and reinstalling the chipset driver. He notes the video system will run slower compared to another that has only seen x3d, and suggests a more significant performance boost would come from a clean operating system rather than one already in use. His bench also processes more CPUs each week than my system is expected to handle over its lifetime, which could be another consideration for him.
The simplest approach is to install a second drive, either internal or external, and back up all your data and game files, removing them as you proceed. Once you have only what you need left, adjust the partition sizes by reducing the C drive and adding the D drive. Then transfer the backed-up data to the new D drive. I advise against moving official document or library folders, as it can cause significant issues. Instead, create new folders on the D drive and save your files there, ignoring the existing ones. You won't be able to move other programs this way; they would require a reinstall to the new location to function properly.
Yeah, I missed that section too. There are plenty of other factors that might account for the slightly lower performance he mentioned. Maybe it was just a placebo effect—he was interpreting the numbers and thought "at that stage our other system was improving." Honestly, I don’t rely too much on people’s memories. It could also be because one PC had PBO turned on while the other didn’t, or Expo wasn’t enabled. The GPUs might differ (both had a 4090?), and one machine might have more bloat from background apps. If he used Intel CPUs on that one, it could really mess things up. But I’m not sure AMD CPUs would make such a big difference.