Size of C:\ partition

abibee

Hi,

I shall be re-installing XP Home Edition in a few days, and was wondering if there's a reccommended size for the C:\ partition? It's currently set to 50gig's (shows as 48.8gig's), and after a few years of accumulated junk/use, it's got 28.1gig's free space. Would ~35gig's be a more appropriate size? Are there any rules regarding it other than to make sure there's enough?

omen666

I would say if you are just placing the OS there and few apps 10GB willl be sufficient.

If you are going to be installing a load of apps over time and heavy duty ones ( CAD, GAMES etc) 20-25GB will be fine.

If you ever need more when running out of disk space you can always use Partition Magic to re-size the partitions

abibee

Thanks. Doing the maths means C:\ is using about 20gig's now, so I wouldn't make it less than that, I was just curious as to whether there was an optimum size, or any rules about it. My HD is 250gig's I think, the rest I partition off into logical drives or whatever the name is.

Edit: Oh yes, it's only XP and Programme Files on it, everything else goes on the other partitions.

mr_fishbulb

I never partition the hard drive. I put everything on the C drive (OS, Apps, Documents, etc). I have a second hard drive for backups and temp files.

I personally think that partitioning a hard drive gives people a false sense of security. It's still only one disk so if it fails you lose all your partitions.

piggeh

I think from a defragmentation POV, having the data on a smaller partition will mean its easier to maintain.

abibee

I started using partitions a few years ago when I was told it free'd up a little space (when I had a 2.25gig hd!). I'm not sure if that's the case anymore.

I like them for orderly purposes, I have different stuff on different partitions, eg, all music files on F:\.

mr_fishbulb

I bought PerfectDisk which just runs in the background and defrags when needed

PeterPerfect

Remember you will need space for your swap (virtual memory) file, hibernation file, any log files, fixes from Microsoft and other manufactures which allow the uninstall mechanism. The cache for your browser of choice also will start to take up space.

You can regularly clean up old stuff if you are sure you will not use it again.

bob_a_builder

I personally think that partitioning a hard drive gives people a false sense of security. It's still only one disk so if it fails you lose all your partitions.

but if you want / have to re-install Windows -it is easier just to blast that partition - assuming you had also re-directed your My documents folder to the other partition too

horses for courses of course

mr_fishbulb

PeterPerfect wrote: »

Remember you will need space for your swap (virtual memory) file, hibernation file, any log files, fixes from Microsoft and other manufactures which allow the uninstall mechanism. The cache for your browser of choice also will start to take up space.

It does grow by quite a bit too. I've had to change the size of a VMware XP machine twice because installing all the updates fills it up.

damo24

In theory XP will install on a 2Gb partition, the problem with that is it leaves you next to no space for other programs, updates etc.

I would not recommend anything smaller than 20Gb to give yourself space for the future.

You're right to use a separate partition to store your files on though don't bother moving the "My Documents" folder just use the new partition for storage
of your files. The "My Documents" folder is often a target for viruses and malware so its best avoided.