Windows Vista question - installing programmes on second partition

I've just built a new system and am using Vista for the first time. Following advice, I've put Vista on one partition and will put any programmes on a second partition. My question is, can I tell Vista to move the two 'programs' folders (x86 & x64, to the best of my memory) to the second partition, or will I always have to manually direct the installers to the partition? If I have to direct the installation manually, will I have to create my own shortcuts in the start menu?

On a related note, I've two hard drives and intend to use the second for media & documents, essentially the old 'My Documents'. The Vista partition is C:, the second disc is D: and the second partition on the first disc is E:. I want the naming of D: & E: swapped round, purely for tidiness and so I don't confuse them. If I disconnect the second disc, then boot up, will the second partition become D:? If I then reconnect the second disc, will it become E: or revert back to D:? Is there a simpler way to swap them round? The first disc is plugged into SATA port two and the second disc is in SATA port three (the DVD drive is in port one).

Thanks in advance for any help.

 

I don't suggest to move Program Files. I did not try in Vista, but it was not pretty with XP SP2.
It would be best to manually set it to your second partition (which should be D:\ (if not, you can change the letter, no problem, just do it before doing anything on that partition (i.e: before you install any application on that partition)). Nothing will change if your applications are not in Program Files.
Shortcuts will be created by setup on your desktop and/or Start menu without issue (same behavior as it was installed in Program Files)

Unlike Windows 2000 and XP, the partition letter won't change, as it knows that you may have programs on the partition that put stuff on the registry. So it won't dare to change the drive letter, so that you everything works perfectly.

If you want to change a drive letter, you can. Make sure that no application where installed on either partitions. If there is, uninstall it. Then right click on "Computer" and select "Manage". You will prompted with the UAC message. Click on "continue. A panel will open, on it, click on the "Disk Management" on the left column, under "Storage". Wait a few seconds so that the center content get populated. Right click on a partition letter that you want to change, and select "Change drive letter and paths". A panel will open, then click on "Change". From there you can select a drive letter.
If you don't see the drive letter you want, it is because it is in used. In this case select a drive letter like Z, change the drive letter of the other partition to the letter you want, and change Z back to the original drive you want.

 

Thanks for clearing these up for me, GoodBytes. It was actually your advice to someone else that convinced me to create a separate Windows partition, so it's apt that it should be you who comes to my rescue.

There seem to be a disproportionate amount of nice people in Montreal. I'm told that the huge number of strip bars keeps everyone in a good mood.

 

+1 to Montreal strip bars... last time I went to Montreal for an Intel TST I got to experience them, they are quite nice.

 

Who's quiet nice, the strip bars or Montrealers?

 

The bars were nice, the people were nice, but the people IN the bars (the strippers) were the nicest