I'm looking to partition my C drive so that I can reset Windows without losing any important data. The plan is to create a new partition where I can install a fresh copy of Windows. This will allow me to set up everything from scratch—log into my accounts and apps—while still having access to the original Windows installation to ensure I don't miss anything. Once I've fully set up Windows on the new partition, I will delete the original installation and merge the partitions back together. Just to give you some context, I currently have 2.51TB free out of a total of 3.63TB, and there's an additional 931GB available on another empty NVMe drive.
3 Answers
Another option could be to virtualize your existing installation to a different device instead of messing with the partitions. That way, you can keep everything intact and just run the old Windows in a virtual machine.
First things first, back up any essential data before making any changes! When you're ready, reinstall Windows and set up your partition scheme during the installation process. It’s pretty straightforward, just follow the prompts!
You could also consider installing Windows on the NVMe drive. Use the SATA drive mainly for storage. Just a heads up though, the bootloader situation can get tricky. If you disconnect the SATA drive during installation, it can create a new bootloader, but you'll have to adjust the BIOS settings later for dual booting. Alternatively, you can let Windows manage everything, but it might lead to issues if you change anything with the bootloader down the line. There are ways to clone the bootloader partition beforehand too, which might save some hassle in the long run!
Thanks for the detailed advice! I might go with the NVMe option. It sounds like it could save me some headaches later.