Program Files on seperate partition?

[Kaiju]

Just a quick question, if you install all your programs on a seperate partition and then reformat Windows, will the programs still work on the new formatted platform i.e. games, media players, etc.

If so, are there any exceptions? For instance programs that require a Windows file that needs to be synchronised or logged, so when formatted, the Windows file loses it's compatibility with that program?

 

[Kaiju]

Oh yeah!

So what's the workaround? Reformatting, installing all your favourite programs and then creating a system restore point (is that resource heavy), or perhaps using a third party program such as Acronis True Image?

 

[Kaiju]

What I want to know is where is the enviroment variable for program files. Windows always wants to put it on the same drive as the windows directory by default. So how do I change that drive letter, etc
Do I just create my own?

Thanks for the info above mate.

Windows usually allows you to change the directory the software is saved too at the start of the installation, but i'm guessing you know that.

I have no idea where the variable is to make Windows change the default.