partitioning a drive with data?

[cwilhelm]

I need to install Windows on a drive that already has a significant amount of data on it. I don't have access to any other computers so using partitioning software is not an option. Can I safely create a second partition for Windows through the Windows setup without harming the data already on the drive? If I can't, is the only option to get a new hard drive for the OS?

 

[felony]

acronis software can help! use it all the time!

 

[tiraides]

It depends on how much free space you have. Partitioning software, such as Acronis True Image and GParted, can do this more easily than the Windows installation/setup disc could.

But if you're really running low on space, it may be more practical to buy a second hard drive to offload some of that data.