Increasing/decreasing space on a partition

[Russ]

ok, so i had this "great" idea, i'll format, have a windows partition and a secondary one for installs, so if i need to format i wont have to re-install windows.

but i didnt leave enough space to install some vital files. so is there a way of changing the size of a partition without formating again?

[herulach]

I dont get your plan, if you have to format what you wont need to reinstall? If you think you can get away with reinstalling windows and having your apps work you are well wrong, the registry wil be completly blank on a new install

[Russ]

no i dont want to have to keep reinstalling windows. i want to leave that on there and leave other drive for installs and formats

[ctid]

I'm not too sure why you want to do this, as I dont see the benefit. PartitionMagic is great for resizing partitions though.

[Funkstar]

Yeah i don't get it either. What are you wanting to install on this other partition and why would you want to leave windows and format that drive instead?

Most poeple when they do this create one for windows/programs and another (or more) for data. so you can blow away windows and not have to back up your files, just re-install everything.

[ed^chigliak]

When you install stuff to another partition or drive it still write a whole load of information to your windows registry. Formatting your install drive will just confuse the heck out of windows.

Edit: What you ought to be doing is making a drive image of your clean windows installation using Acronis True image or Norton Ghost stylee program. Save this image on your partition and then restore it whenever you feel the need.