You need to back up the registry separately and then restore the backed-up copy after reinstalling the OS. I use Erunt (Googleable). Also note that install programs also often put files on various C: directories even if the main program is installed on D:. Can't answer the Win7 question. Regards, Paul Ambos pambos@xxxxxxxxxxxx -----Original Message----- From: xywrite-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:xywrite-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of Harry Binswanger Sent: Tuesday, March 09, 2010 1:12 PM To: xywrite@xxxxxxxxxxxxx Subject: OT--Win7 and disk partitions Please indulge me, I think this has been answered before, but if I reserve C: for the OS, and install all programs on D:, does that mean that when I have to re-format C: and re-install the factory version of the OS, that I won't have to re-install and re-customize my programs? Sounds too good to be true. Don't those programs depend on the Registry, which is on C:? Secondly, I'm getting a Win7 free from a friend. In terms only of running Xy, is there any real penalty, in speed or anything else, for running it under Win7 vs. under XP? Thanks for any suggestions. --Harry Harry Binswanger hb@xxxxxxxxxxxx