Partitioning new SSD

AS85 · Nov 30, 2013

Hardware: Acer V3-771G-9441 + new SSD
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16834314005

I just got a Samsung 840 Pro 256 GB SSD and I need some help regarding partitioning the drive. In general, I don't really understand the technicals behind partitioning but I somewhat understand why it is needed.

After a clean install of Win 7 OEM on my new SSD, Disk Management shows 2 Volumes: C (238 GB with 217 GB free) and System Reserved (100 MB). I have 2 hard drive bays and my goal is to use this SSD for the OS and the other bay for storing personal files.

Given this, how should I partition this SSD?

1. Should I leave the C partition exactly as it is and keep installing new programs that I download right there OR should I make C JUST for the Windows OS and install new programs (like Word, Excel, Firefox, etc) on a new partition?

2. What is optimal for speed and/or safety?

I would appreciate any help - I recently had to clean install Win 7 due to downloading the Scorpion Saver malware and I need to make sure my laptop is secure.

Thanks.

USAFRet · Nov 30, 2013

1. Don't partition that drive. Not needed.
2. Applications, including the MS Office suite, don't take up as much space as you might think.

I have a 128GB drive, and a LOT of applications installed. Win 8 Pro, Office 2013, video, photo, etc, etc, etc.....roughly 50GB used.
The only things that take up real space are movies, games, music. Those things live on other drives or PC's.

Have your OS and applications on the current 256 C drive. Readjust when/if you get around to the 200GB used level.

See this self serving tutorial for how to redirect static files (Documents/pictures/etc) elsewhere:
http://www.tomshardware.com/faq/id-1834397/ssd-redirecting-static-files.html

AxlMyk · Nov 30, 2013

When the OS is installed, it takes that 100mb for the master boot record.
You can't change it, unless you want to jump through a bunch of hoops. Just leave it there.

AS85 · Nov 30, 2013

AxlMyk :

That sounds like something I should leave alone. Thanks.

AS85 · Nov 30, 2013

USAFRet :

1. Don't partition that drive. Not needed.
2. Applications, including the MS Office suite, don't take up as much space as you might think.../quotemsg]

Thanks!

Do you know if safety is a concern? Are there any benefits of shrinking the C partition and keeping it JUST for Windows? If I keep C for the OS only, does it make me less prone to viruses?

Also, by isolating the installed programs from the OS, does it make it less fast?

Again, these questions may be remedial but I'm asking these questions due to my ignorance.

USAFRet · Nov 30, 2013

Leave the 256 drive as it is. It is neither more or less prone to a virus, nor more or less fast.

For applications....on a 256 you can almost certainly install everything on that. A few large games, maybe not. But all your normal applications will fit no problem.

USAFRet · Nov 30, 2013

What you want to do is have the OS and applications on one physical drive, and your personal data on a different drive. Not a different partition...a different physical drive.

AS85 · Nov 30, 2013

USAFRet :

Can you help me with another issue as well?
http://www.tomshardware.com/answers/id-1907373/recovery-partition-drivers.html

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