How long does it take you to restore a full W7 Image?

[TheMozart]

Thank you zfactor

I will move my TrueCrypt folder from C: to D: as it's 10GB in size.

So what are my exact steps?

1. Create Truecrypt folder in D:\ ?

2. Then MOVE all data from C:\Program Files\Truecrypt into D:\Truecrypt

3. Then type Junction "C:\Program Files\Truecrypt" "D:\Truecrypt" -s

4. Then reboot windows?

Will do same for Electronic Arts folder which is 2.8GB.

[zfactor]

that should work, not sure how it will work with truecrypt. i would guess it would be okay but have never tried to relocate a truecrypt folder. i would copy the folder to a external or to a temp (d:truecrypttemp for example) so you have a copy just in case that you can move back to c:. then go ahead and try the junction. if it doesnt work you can easily remove the junction.

edit: i know your ea folder will be fine.. no problem moving that one

[Brian K]

I'd create a folder in D: called Program Files. Move the C:\Program Files\Truecrypt to D:\Program Files so C:\Program Files\Truecrypt no longer exists.

Then from an Admin Command Prompt...

junction.exe "C:\Program Files\Truecrypt" "D:\Program Files\Truecrypt" -s

When you now look in C:\Program Files it will appear that the Truecrypt folder has been re-created, but it doesn't take up any space. A reboot shouldn't be needed.

[TheMozart]

Originally Posted by Brian K

I'd create a folder in D: called Program Files. Move the C:\Program Files\Truecrypt to D:\Program Files so C:\Program Files\Truecrypt no longer exists.

Then from an Admin Command Prompt...

junction.exe "C:\Program Files\Truecrypt" "D:\Program Files\Truecrypt" -s

When you now look in C:\Program Files it will appear that the Truecrypt folder has been re-created, but it doesn't take up any space. A reboot shouldn't be needed.

Brian, you know what I did, I just copied C:\TrueCrypt to D:\Truecrypt, deleted C:\TrueCrypt and then created a shortcut to Desktop from C:\TrueCrypt\truecrypt.exe

That's all I needed to do. Not sure why I never did that before, it never dawned onto me until we all started talking about this. So there was no need for Junction with C:\TrueCrypt But that's because it's a Truecrypt container and not a program that was ever installed.

So my C: just went from 36Gb to 26GB in a few minutes

But I will try your suggestion with Electron Arts folder as that's taking up 2.8GB.

[Brian K]

Excellent.

[TheMozart]

Originally Posted by Brian K

Excellent.

Thank you Brian, it's thanks to you that I even began thinking about this.

But I am also thinking about installing W7 from scratch, because most of what I run are portableapps on the Truecrypt container which is now on D:

If I reinstall W7 from scratch, if I want to install any programs, can I install them into D:\Program Files instead of on C:? Do ALL programs allow me to do that and will they ALL work like that? If so that would be great cause then I would only ever have a base W7 to backup and restore

[berryracer]

Around 3-4 mins on my SSD. That's only the Windows Image with all updates.

[TheMozart]

Originally Posted by berryracer

Around 3-4 mins on my SSD. That's only the Windows Image with all updates.

I can't wait for SSD to come down in prices. They are currently around $300 for 120GB in my area.

[Brian K]

Originally Posted by TheMozart

If I reinstall W7 from scratch, if I want to install any programs, can I install them into D:\Program Files instead of on C:? Do ALL programs allow me to do that and will they ALL work like that? If so that would be great cause then I would only ever have a base W7 to backup and restore

Most apps can be installed into the D: drive. But not all.

Even if you install an app into the D: drive, some files may be installed into C:\Users\ C:\ProgramData etc. As well as into the Registry. So for backup you have to consider the C: drive as well as the D: drive.

The above doesn't apply to portable apps.

[TheMozart]

Originally Posted by Brian K

Most apps can be installed into the D: drive. But not all.

Even if you install an app into the D: drive, some files may be installed into C:\Users\ C:\ProgramData etc. As well as into the Registry. So for backup you have to consider the C: drive as well as the D: drive.

The above doesn't apply to portable apps.

But Brian, installing programs into D: should save a lot of space on C: even if some files are installed into C:\ProgramData and Registry, right?

And if I want to restore an image, I can just install the C: image, and it should work as normal loading programs on D:, right? Or am I missing something?

[Brian K]

Originally Posted by TheMozart

But Brian, installing programs into D: should save a lot of space on C: even if some files are installed into C:\ProgramData and Registry, right?

Correct.

Originally Posted by TheMozart

And if I want to restore an image, I can just install the C: image, and it should work as normal loading programs on D:, right?

Correct.

[TheMozart]

Originally Posted by Brian K

Correct.


Correct.

Thanks Brian.

[zfactor]

sorry for being away all day i couldnt get to a computer to answer anything but im glad you got it sorted out.