Can Dual Boot share same .exe files?

[grasshoppr]

My main program is Windows Vista. (C:/ Partition is 202 GB).
I made a Windows 7 partition (D:/) about 20 GB big.

I can navigate from the Windows 7 (D:/ partition) over to the C:/ partition and create links to some programs like Skype, Filezilla, Audacity and others.
That way I don't have to duplicate the .exe programs on the 7 partition.

But I couldn't get Word 2007 or iTunes to work, so I installed them again on the 7 partition. Now the partition is full and I won't be able to load anything else, should the need arise.

Is there any way out of this?

 

[theog]

I would make a Win7 partition no less than 100g.

 

[grasshoppr]

Ah . . . yes, I see.
Well, I'm pretty new at this and when I was following the directions to make the partition, one item of information that popped up during the process told me that Windows 7 needed a partition at least 6,750 Mb big. (I forget the actual number, but remember that it was something less that 7,000 Mb).
This led me to believe that the system program would reside inside that small partition and store its programs outside somewhere.

Anyway, I see now that I was sadly mistaken.
How can I fix this situation?

 

[theog]

You are welcome.

 

[grasshoppr]

I’m sorry, did I miss something?
(Surely there was no hint of sarcasm there . . . .)
I’m just a confused poster who came here with what I hope is a legitimate question, looking for some legitimate help.

 

[Katokato]

you can try to extend your current partition into unallocated space: How to Extend a Disk Partition in Windows Vista and Server 2008

 

[grasshoppr]

Thank you, Katokato.
I followed the instructions but when the little drop down menu came up for drive D:
the option to "extend" was grayed out.

So I shrank my main drive C: by the maximum allowed, 60 Gb.
I ended up with a 60 Gb section of unallocated space.
But even so, the "extend" option was still grayed out for drive D:

So I went back and "extended" drive C: back to where it was originally.

If I have to, I can re-partition D: and make it 100 Gb. But that will mean I'll have to reload my Windows 7.

I'm okay with that if it's my last option.
Hopefully there's a better way??

 

[Katokato]

try this: http://tinyurl.com/24jof6z

 

[grasshoppr]

Thank you, Katokato.

Excellent little trick you did there. Happy to say I got the point.
You wouldn't want to show me how you did that, would you?
Or just give me the name of the program used?

 

[Katokato]

Thank you, Katokato.

Excellent little trick you did there. Happy to say I got the point.
You wouldn't want to show me how you did that, would you?
Or just give me the name of the program used?

its not that. i serched on google and i found some very good answers. i just dont feel that i should search for people when they can search for themselves.

if youre still willing-

Can you take a screen shot of the device manager and post it in your next post?

and just another tip: http://www.partition-tool.com/easeus-partition-manager/help/resizing-and-moving-partition.htm

its a 3rd party partition manager that i found on google

 

[grasshoppr]

Sorry it took so long to reply, Katokato, but I never got the email message that was supposed to tell me a post had been made to the thread.

Here's the image you requested.

 

[Katokato]

Sorry it took so long to reply, Katokato, but I never got the email message that was supposed to tell me a post had been made to the thread.

Here's the image you requested.

crap. i said the wrong thing. i meant the picture of the computer management>disk management.

i just got back from a trip and really tired.

 

[grasshoppr]

Okay, Katokato,
I went ahead and reformatted the partition on my laptop to 60 Gigs and re-installed Windows 7. That part is working just fine now.

below is a screenshot anyway.



I have another question, though. What would be the best way to back up the entire contents of my personal folder (the one with Contacts, Desktop, Documents, etc.)? Mine is close to 30 Gigs big.
I was thinking that storing it on the RECOVERY partition of the disk would be great because it would seem that that is a specially protected area that won't go south if and when the Vista Operating System does. But I've seen a few posts warning against that. So, Maybe a new partition?
Unfortunately I don't have an external drive.
Where do you back up your information?

 

[Katokato]

Well, you have a few options. If you want to partition that is fine, but if you have a virus, it can spread to other partitions of your hard drive. Make sure thtat partition is encrypted for extra security (if you have bitlocker on your windows 7 installation)

You can use a whole bunch of DVD's or even buy the Dual Layer ones.

You can back up your files to a server, but i think that you will have to pay to have 30 gigs.

You can buy an external hard drive, they go preety cheap on ebay for 30 gigabytes (just find the external hard drive with the cheapest starting bid): external hard drive items - Get great deals on Computers Networking, Electronics items on eBay.com!

I also found these external hdd's on newegg: Newegg.com - Computer Hardware,Hard Drives,External Hard Drives,20GB - 80GB,$25 - $50

You can use a 32 gig flash drive but those are a bit pricey: Newegg.com - Computer Hardware,Memory,USB Flash Drives,32GB,$50 - $75

Heres a nice guide on backing up files: How to backup your data | Windows Vista for Beginners

If i were you, id go with either buying CD's or using an external hard drive.