It works that way for me.
Windows on C: and most Applications on D:
Image backup of C: prior to any Windows Updates (Custom Option)
Image backup of D: prior to and after application updates from MS or others.
Once D: is defragmented it rarely needs defragging again.
C: on the other hand fragments much quicker.
Have restored C: many times without the need to restore D:

JS

"Bill in Co." <not_really_here@earthlink.net> wrote in message
news:uwISH6OwIHA.2028@TK2MSFTNGP05.phx.gbl...
> He probably thinks if anything goes wrong with his system, he can just
> reload his op system to that partition again and be home free (and
> everything else is protected on a different partition), but what he's
> missing is that it doesn't work that way!
>
> Unknown wrote:
>> Is there a specific reason you want a separate partition for the OS?
>> "petert" <peter.thomas@nidum.plus.com> wrote in message
>> news:e62r34dva03060nspnlsja9uc07dm3bdea@4ax.com...
>>> Hi,
>>>
>>> I am about to replace my current HD with one with more space and this
>>> will give me the opportunity to create a partition exclusively for the
>>> OS.
>>>
>>> My question is this - what size partition do I need to create to
>>> comforably accommodate XP?
>>>
>>> --
>>> Cheers
>>>
>>> Peter
>>> --
>>> Cheers
>>>
>>> Peter
>
>