Tutorial: Separating Your OS from Apps Without Losing Data

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Updated by

Sherly 

Written by

Linda 

Last updated on April 22, 2024

Are you wondering if it's a good idea to create multiple partitions on your hard drive and keep your operating system separate from your programs? The answer is yes! The partition where the operating system is installed (usually labeled C:) is called the system partition. The system partition and the operating system on it provide fundamental support for running your computer. It manages resources such as hardware and software on your computer through various services.

For other programs and applications, they usually aren't installed in the same partition as the OS, since this can lead to slow performance and unexpected errors. Therefore, if your computer only has one partition, you should consider creating one or more partitions to save your programs and apps. Luckily, this article from /\ has a simple guide for you.

This is an example of a user wanting to migrate their operating system to an SSD to keep programs separate from the Windows system.

Phase 1: Create the New Partition (2 Ways)

If you have only one hard drive in your computer and do not plan on purchasing another HDD or SSD, you can still separate your operating system from your programs by creating a new partition out of your existing one. There are two ways you can do this.

(I'll use Drive C as an example for easier understanding.)

Method 1: Use Partition Master Tool

Partitioning might seem complicated for Windows beginners, as it involves various factors like different file systems. To create a new partition effortlessly, you'll need the assistance of a reliable third-party tool. I recommend using AOMEI Partition Assistant Professional for the job.

This powerful software features a user-friendly interface and multiple functions to help you manage disks and partitions comprehensively. With the Partition Master tool, you can essentially perform all partition-related operations. Now, follow this guide.

Step 1: Resize C drive to a smaller partition

Step 1: Locate and select the partition to shrink

In the Partition Manager, right-click on the partition you want to shrink and select “Resize/Move”.

Step 2: Adjust to shrink the partition

Resize the partition by dragging the target partition's end with mouse.

You can also resize the partition frame to shrink the target partition. Click “OK” when you're done.

Third step: Perform the action.

Click the Run Task button and choose Apply to save all changes.

Part 2: Creating a new partition from unallocated space

Step 1: Launch Partition Master. Right-click on “Unallocated” space on the hard drive or external storage device from the main interface and select “Create”.

Step 2. Adjust the size of the new partition, the file system (select a file system as needed), label, and so on, then click OK to proceed.

Step 3: Click the Run 1 Task button, and then click Apply to create the new partition.

Watch the following video tutorial to learn how to create partitions on an NTFS, FAT, or EXT file system.

Alternatively, you can split C drive and the program will prompt you to create a new partition directly.

Method 2: Using Disk Management

If you're not fond of third-party software, your Windows computer has a built-in tool called Disk Management that can also partition a hard drive. Follow the steps below to create a partition from the C drive.

Step 1: Right-click the Windows icon and select Disk Management.

Step 2: Right-click on the C: drive and select “Compress Volume.”

Step 3: Specify how much space you want to shrink, and click “Shrink”.

Step 4: Right-click on the unallocated space you just created and select "New Simple Volume."

Step 5: Follow the screens in the New Simple Volume Wizard to complete the process.

There are times when you might come across the “New Simple Volume” option grayed out in Disk Management. If you're dealing with the same issue, read on.

Please provide the English content you want to translate, and I'll promptly translate it into Chinese for you.

How to Fix "New Simple Volume" Grayed Out in Disk Management

If New Simple Volume is grayed out in Disk Management, it means you can't create a new volume from unallocated space. Here, we'll show you how to fix this error on the hard drive or external USB drive in Windows 11/10/8/7. Read More >>

If you think this is a simple, practical approach, please share it on social media to help get the word out.

Stage 2 - Moving the program to the new partition

Now that you have multiple partitions on your hard drive, you can move programs from C to D. To do this easily, you can still use the Partition Master tool, which offers an additional feature called AppMove that lets you transfer your programs and apps from one partition to another. Here are the detailed steps:

Step 1: Select the partition you want to split and click “Split Partition” from the function list.

Step 2. Resize both partitions and click “OK”.

All changes to the disk layout remain pending until you apply them from the Apply Changes task.

Step 4: After applying the changes, you will have successfully split your partition into two partitions.

Footnote:

• Partition Master only supports splitting partitions on basic disks, not on dynamic volumes. • Only non-hidden partitions can be split. • For the system partition, there should be at least 5% unallocated space of the total partition size.

Pros: Separation of the operating system from applications

Separating the operating system from files and applications is crucial for better management and optimization of a computer's performance. There are numerous advantages to this approach, and here, I will highlight three key benefits to give you a deeper understanding. 1. **Ease of Maintenance and Updates**: With a separation between the operating system and user files, it becomes easier to maintain and update the core system without affecting personal data or application settings. System updates can be installed smoothly, reducing the risk of data loss or compatibility issues. This also allows for a cleaner and more efficient update process, as the focus remains on the OS, without having to worry about individual user files. 2. **Improved Stability and Security**: By isolating the operating system from user files, the overall stability of the system is enhanced. If an application crashes or a file becomes corrupted, it is less likely to bring down the entire system. Additionally, this separation provides a security benefit, as potential malware or viruses targeting the OS are less likely to affect personal files. It creates a barrier that makes it harder for threats to spread throughout the computer. 3. **Easier System Recovery and Restoration**: In case of a system failure or the need for a fresh installation, having a clear distinction between the OS and user data simplifies the recovery process. The operating system can be reinstalled without losing important documents, photos, or application settings, as long as these files are stored separately and backed up. This saves time and effort, and ensures that users can quickly return to their normal working environment. In summary, separating the operating system from files and applications streamlines maintenance, enhances stability and security, and facilitates system recovery. These advantages contribute to a more robust and user-friendly computing experience.

Conclusions

In short, it's better to keep your Windows OS and programs on separate partitions for easier management of files and apps. To separate the OS from programs, you can use reliable software – Partition Master tool to < a href="/partition-master/partition-c-drive.html">partition C drive and create a new partition. Then, you can move programs to the new drive safely and quickly. Download this software now and enjoy its powerful features!

Frequently Asked Questions about Separation of Operating Systems and Programs 1. What is the separation of operating systems and programs? Answer: The separation of operating systems and programs refers to managing the operating system as an independent layer, distinct from applications, to facilitate better maintenance, updates, and optimization of system performance. 2. Why separate the operating system from programs? Answer: Separating them enhances system security since changes or upgrades to the OS won't affect applications. It also makes system updates more flexible, reducing compatibility issues with applications. 3. How can you achieve the separation of operating systems and programs? Answer: Common methods include using virtual machines, container technologies like Docker, or sandbox environments. These technologies create isolated execution environments that keep the OS and applications separate. 4. Does separating the operating system and programs affect performance? Answer: There might be a slight impact due to the additional resources needed to run virtualized or containerized environments. However, modern technologies have significantly reduced this impact, and in most cases, the performance loss is tolerable. 5. Are all programs suitable for running in a separated operating system? Answer: Not all programs are suitable, especially those dependent on specific OS versions or tightly integrated with hardware. In most cases, though, especially for applications based on standard interfaces, separation is feasible. 6. Does separating the operating system and programs help prevent malware? Answer: Yes, by isolating the OS and programs, the potential damage from malware to the entire system is limited, as they typically can only run within their own environment. 7. How can I achieve the separation of operating systems on a personal computer? Answer: Individual users can use virtual machine software like VMware or VirtualBox. This allows running multiple operating systems on one physical machine, with each OS and its applications managed independently. 8. Does separating the operating system and programs mean I need more storage space? Answer: Yes, additional disk space is required to run virtual environments or containers. However, proper planning and optimization can minimize this impact. 9. How do I share data between the separated operating system and programs? Answer: You can set up shared folders or network drives for data exchange. In virtual machines, this is often done through shared folder functionality. 10. Are there solutions for separating operating systems and programs on mobile devices? Answer: Some mobile OSs (like Android) support app sandboxing, but full separation (like virtual machines) is generally uncommon due to performance impacts. However, enterprise solutions may offer similar capabilities.

If you have other questions about "Separating the operating system from the programs," refer to the questions and answers listed below.

1. Is it safe to partition the C drive?

Assuming no corruption, this operation should be safe in theory: you can shrink C, and then move the data to the other drive.

2. Should programs be installed on a separate partition?

Yes, it's recommended to install the operating system on a separate partition and keep your files and programs on another one. This is because, in some cases, OS updates can unexpectedly cause issues. By doing this, your files and programs will be better protected from any potential problems during an operating system update.

3. Can I move files from the C drive to the D drive?

Yes, you can move files from the C drive to the D drive. You can cut personal files on the desktop or saved in the C drive and paste them into the D drive. If you want to move desktop files to another drive, you can either cut the files or change the desktop file path.