Just installed Windows 7! Also rethinking my partition structure.

I just installed the Windows 7 beta. I have not installed anything major yet, but I think it will replace one of my two current operating systems or I might leave the 3 OSes on my computer and spread my applications across them.

I want my OSes to boot faster, so I think I need to install certain applications across my operating systems. I believe spreading the applications I have across my current operating systems will benefit me by decreasing memory usage, decreasing the amount of time needed to boot, decrease the amount of space associated with redundant applications, increase the long term vitality of my operating systems, and increase my overall experience in using just plain old Windows. I’ll describe ‘’application spreading’ in another post.

I need to lay out a plan, if i go with such a task, because i would reformat my system in an attempt to refresh Vista and XP. Vista is the bulkiest OS on my computer since it is my main operating system. I use XP to supplement my computer. I would also use XP in any case that i have trouble with Vista. So far, i have 1 System partition, 3 boot partitions and 1 logical partition used for my data I am pretty confused why the system partition is used as the boot drive, but hey! Whatever! My system partition is my only main primary partition, the rest are all logical. The reason why i have a “data” partition is for anything important to me would be backed up quickly and so if my OS damages, then i can restore it without affecting my important data and vice versa.

How many times has your HD started messing up and you could only get to only certain partitions? Yeah, exactly and besides, using a ‘data’ partition cuts the amount of time needed for backups and allows me to split my backup schedule. I’d like to to backup my ‘data’ partition every Friday and my operating systems every 2-3 weeks, if not every month. Disaster comes at anytime, so best be prepared.

I must say, Windows 7 is promising and I hope Microsoft does not destroy this opportunity. Win 7 is making me rethink the way I organize my files. It is probably a good or bad thing, but so far it looks like a good thing because I feel the need to buy a 2.5” 500GB internal hard drive.