Apps & files in Windows
Managing storage space
Section titled “Managing storage space”You should plan how you want to organize your files on your computer. Depending on your needs & storage capacity, you may want to use different strategies.
Usually, I recommend to configure at least two partitions on your hard drives:
- One for the operating system (Windows) & your apps
- One for your personal files
This way, if case you might need to, you can easily reinstall Windows without losing any of your personal files.
You may want to use a third partition dedicated to your apps or games, especially if you have a large storage capacity.
Storage capacity scenarios
Section titled “Storage capacity scenarios”Low storage capacity (256 GB or less):
- One single partition for everything: Windows, apps, personal files.
- Make sure to backup your personal files regularly.
Medium storage capacity (384 GB to 1 TB):
- First partition for Windows & apps: between ¼ and ½ of your storage capacity.
- Second partition for personal files: the rest of your storage capacity.
High storage capacity (1.5 TB or more):
- First partition for Windows: 256 GB should be comfortable.
- Second partition for apps: between 256 GB and 1 TB.
- Third partition for personal files: the rest of your storage capacity.
- If you wish, you can create a fourth partition for games to keep them separated from your apps.
- If you have multiple hard drives, you may split one for the first two partitions and use another entirely for personal files.
Installing apps
Section titled “Installing apps”I personnally do not recommend using the Windows Store to install apps. Make sure to download your installers from the official website of the software you want to install, and not from a third-party download platform.
If you have a dedicated partition for your apps and if given the choice, I recommend:
- Installing startups apps on the Windows partition.
- Installing all other apps on the dedicated partition.
File organization
Section titled “File organization”This is highly opinionated, but where is how I organize my files.
On a dedicated partition to apps and/or personal files:
D:\Progs\for appsD:\Games\for gamesD:\Downloads\for downloads (e.g. installers from the web browser)D:\Files\for personal filesD:\WSL\for WSL distros (if you use WSL)
