Windows 7 unistalling windows 7 but keeping the data

[Max Ward]

I am thinking of buying a small ssd for a boot drive because they are so fast. However I want to keep all my data on my old hardrive because it will not fit on my new ssd. I was thinking if there was then a way of unistalling old windows from the old hardrive but keeping all the programs and data on it.

 

[kemical]

Unfortunately your data will be kept in folders created by windows so it's probably not possible. Why not re attach the drive at a later date and get what data you need then?

 

[Max Ward]

Ye that what I wanted to do but its just a bit annoying that there is an unnecessary copy of windows on the old hard drive taking up room

 

[kemical]

It's a pain I know but once you have reclaimed your old data the drive could then be cleaned or formatted so it's squeaky clean again.

 

[Max Ward]

Well think I will just have to live with, its not the end of the world. Will I be able to delet my old windows version from the boot menu so that I cant book into the wrong windows 7

 

[kemical]

If you booted from the windows DVD and went through the motions of a new install you could format the old drive from the install options. Once done just cancel the new installation and reboot.

 

[Max Ward]

Yes I know but the point is I dont want to format the hard drive because I want all my data on that hard drive I just want to get rid of windows on it because it is taking up space and will appear in the boot menu