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Is it possible to install windows on a data drive and keep the data?

Tags:
  • Windows
  • SSD
  • Computers
  • Windows 7
Last response: in Windows 7
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December 23, 2013 10:53:58 PM

Is it possible to install windows on a data drive and keep the data? The drive has ~400Gb of programs etc., and no windows install. The computer in question had an SSD, and I swapped the SSD to a different computer. Now I want to install Windows on its data drive and keep the data.

More about : install windows data drive data

December 23, 2013 11:15:00 PM

Never mind I am borrowing space on a friends HDD.
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Best solution

a b $ Windows 7
December 23, 2013 11:18:26 PM

When you install windows, it automatically formats the drive and would erase all your data. You could try using software to partition the drive into two pieces in another computer. Some software will allow you to do this without removing your data. Once the the partition is made, move all the data to the back (2nd) partition. Re-install the drive to the intended computer and use the first partition to install the OS. I haven't used partition software in years, but I am sure there is some free software out there that will do the trick.
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December 23, 2013 11:25:41 PM

The above reply isnt quite true.
When you instal 7 on a drive, if you dont format it it will keep the data in a file called 'windows old'.
You can access it from your hard drive.
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