Solved Partition Merge?

Alexey2912 · Jan 6, 2022

Hi,

Was occupied, so gave my laptop again to the same local shop guy to clean install W11 only, which he did in 30 mins.

Now the confusion and bad thing...

1. I asked him to partition it. .....200/250 GB C: D.
2. When I got back, realized that there was no reason for me to have it got partitioned. Since the laptop has the option of only 1 SSD, and have a external usb Seagate HDD.
3. My question is: How can I get D merged into C, and have only 1 active.
4. Can disk management perform that or I need to do a 4th clean install or use a 3rd party app?
5. My intention was to have neat clean W11, image/create a full back up than install MS off, than apps, lastly tweaks and create at least 4 full backups.........Creating full back ups at each step.
6. If disk management can do it what do I need to run after merging to check for any errors?
7. Another question, if he did perform a clean install how did W11 get activated? Where is the Dell supplied key stored?
8. He was a bit hesitant to perform a 3rd clean install in 10 days, saying clean installs degrade drives health?.......is this a myth or correct?

Hoping to hear from you experts.

Thanks.

Alexey2912 · Jan 6, 2022

When he suggested about the repeated 3rd clean install in 10 days, (being stressed/overwhelmed at the hospital after work) to which I replied it's my machine and drive. If it deteriorates I replace it with a new Samsung Evo.

BunnyJ · Jan 6, 2022

If it's working there's no need to reinstall 11. I would just use the separate partition for data and other things.

Alexey2912 · Jan 6, 2022

BunnyJ said:
If it's working there's no need to reinstall 11. I would just use the separate partition for data and other things.

Thanks.
It's working fine, what exactly doee one imply in computer terms to data?

Data> My Docs, Pics, Vids, Music, ........care to explain Data?

BunnyJ · Jan 6, 2022

No idea... I've never hear of that before.

Alexey2912 · Jan 6, 2022

Is possible to merge C and D in disk management without getting any errors?

If yes care to explain?

I plan storing full backups not on D partition but on external usb HDD.

Thanks.

BunnyJ · Jan 6, 2022

Alexey2912 said:
Is possible to merge C and D in disk management without getting any errors?

If yes care to explain?

I plan storing full backups not on D partition but on external usb HDD.

Thanks.

You sure can..

Merging two(?) partitions - Windows 10 Help Forums

I bought a new laptop (it came with FreeDOS) and wanted to do a fast & clean Windows 10 install, so: 1. I get the boot order right, 2. Boot from my USB stick, 3. Pick the partition and install. It seems, in haste, I forgot about something(?), because

www.tenforums.com

Alexey2912 · Jan 6, 2022

Should NvMeSSD full backups created/restored, be stored only on similar drive or can be stored on HDDs or thumb drive?

Thanks.

BunnyJ · Jan 6, 2022

Alexey2912 said:
Should NvMeSSD full backups craeted/restored, be stored only on similar drive or can be stored on HDDs or thumb drive?

Thanks.

Not sure what you mean... I'll let others help you out with that.

Winuser · Jan 6, 2022

Alexey2912 said:
Should NvMeSSD full backups craeted/restored, be stored only on similar drive or can be stored on HDDs or thumb drive?

Thanks.

The drive can be any USB drive. It doesn't have to be an NVMe drive.

Alexey2912 · Jan 6, 2022

I think I'll d do a clean install (IF i get some time off, using a bootable usb W11), rather than mess up using disk management.

Where exactly does Dell W11 Home key is stored.......BIOS?

Thanks.

PS: Even with Omicron surge Dell Inspiron 5510 and W11 are running in my back ground subconscious........
Probably wrong time to purchase....I like it, but being old and used to W7 looks like a totally new thing.
Plus am the only doc across the globe with a authethentic cure for covid19 any variant...in demand too.......

Alexey2912 · Jan 6, 2022

BunnyJ said:
Not sure what you mean... I'll let others help you out with that.

Thanks again for your expert advice.

Alexey2912 · Jan 6, 2022

Winuser said:
The drive can be any USB drive. It doesn't have to be an NVMe drive.

Thanks for replying.....any usb HDD and thumb drive....correct?

Ghot · Jan 6, 2022

Alexey2912 said:
Should NvMeSSD full backups craeted/restored, be stored only on similar drive or can be stored on HDDs or thumb drive?

Thanks.

You can store backups anywhere. Just don't put them on the same drive as Windows.
Then, if the Windows drive fails... you won't lose your backups.

For playing around with partitions... use the free programs, EaseUS Partition Master or Minitool Partition Wizard.
Both are much easier and much more powerful than Disk Management.

Best Free Partition Manager for Windows | MiniTool Partition Wizard Free

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www.partitionwizard.com

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RFS · Jan 6, 2022

I have a 250 Gb Samsung NVMe SSD. It's partitioned so that 100 Gb is for Windows C: drive and the remainder for data. I also have a 2 Tb SATA SSD.

I like to keep the C: drive purely for Windows and all data elsewhere. This means I can do regular image backups of the C: drive (using Macrium Reflect) so that I can easily restore if needed, and I've needed to do that a couple of times recently. The C: usage is currently 50 Gb out of 100 Gb. The backups go to the 2 Tb SSD. I use different backup methods for other data.

Alexey2912 · Jan 6, 2022

Ghot said:
You can store backups anywhere. Just don't put them on the same drive as Windows.
Then, if the Windows drive fails... you won't lose your backups.

For playing around with partitions... use the free programs, EaseUS Partition Master or Minitool Partition Wizard.
Both are much easier and much more powerful than Disk Management.

That is another reason for deleting the D: empty partition.

Thanks.

Alexey2912 · Jan 6, 2022

RFS said:
I have a 250 Gb Samsung NVMe SSD. It's partitioned so that 100 Gb is for Windows C: drive and the remainder for data. I also have a 2 Tb SATA SSD.

I like to keep the C: drive purely for Windows and all data elsewhere. This means I can do regular image backups of the C: drive (using Macrium Reflect) so that I can easily restore if needed, and I've needed to do that a couple of times recently. The C: usage is currently 50 Gb out of 100 Gb. The backups go to the 2 Tb SSD. I use different backup methods for other data.

Till this time I fail to understand what exactly one implies by Data.....my ignorance on my part!

Thanks!

BunnyJ · Jan 6, 2022

Alexey2912 said:
Till this time I fail to understand what exactly one implies by Data.....my ignorance on my part!

Thanks!

Data would be things like image files.. music, movies etc. It's good to keep them on a separate drive or partition

Ghot · Jan 6, 2022

Here's some pics of those programs...

They're pretty simple... just right click on whatever partition you want to change... choose what you want to do, and click OK.
Both programs require you to click another "Apply type" button, at either the top left or bottom left.

Both programs have been around forever, are well liked and do just about anything you'd need to do.

When you have installed one or the other... and have questions... make sure to post a screen shot of Disk Management, or the partition program you picked... so we all know what you're talking about.
There are zillions of different setups, and trying to "guess" what you want, without a pic... leads to a mess.

It would be sort of like trying to perform an operation without an MRI or CT scan... etc. :)

Nurse: Uh, Doc, that wasn't the organ (partition) we were supposed to remove.

Doctor: Well, where's the damn screen shot?

Winuser · Jan 6, 2022

Alexey2912 said:
I think I'll d do a clean install (IF i get some time off, using a bootable usb W11), rather than mess up using disk management.

Where exactly does Dell W11 Home key is stored.......BIOS?

Thanks.

PS: Even with Omicron surge Dell Inspiron 5510 and W11 are running in my back ground subconscious........
Probably wrong time to purchase....I like it, but being old and used to W7 looks like a totally new thing.
Plus am the only doc across the globe with a authethentic cure for covid19 any variant...in demand too.......

I would keep the drive partitioned. You can move the Document, Download, Music, Pictures and Videos folders to drive D. This tutorial is for the Music Folder. You would do the same with all the folder you want to move. Just remember to give the new folders the correct name. Move Location of Music Folder in Windows 10