Merge 'Programs' partition to 'Root' drive having all Windows

Objective: combine two partitions to one partition.

I have three partitions on a HDD, root, programs, and storage. The root has all windows and is boot partition. Programs has programs installed by myself. I want to move Programs and merge into root then delete the partition labeled 'Programs.'

After this I am looking to clone the merged 'Root' partition to another drive (eventually a SSD.

I have XP Home and have a downloaded backup utility from Microsoft since it is not included originally with XP Home.

 

IF YOU WANT TO MOVE PROGRAMS TO ANOTHER DRIVE, DO IT BEFORE FOLLOWING THESE STEPS
Load Computer Management by clicking on ‘Start’, ‘Run’, and then typing in ‘compmgmt.msc’, followed by clicking on OK.
Click on ‘Disk Management’ towards the bottom of the left hand pane, and wait for your computer to scan your disks.
In the right hand pane you will see each physical disk within your computer on a separate row, and each disk is displayed with it broken up into its partitions.
After confirming which partition you wish to remove, right click on it, and select ‘Delete Partition’ or ‘Delete Logical Drive’. Click ‘Yes’ when prompted.
You will need to be logged into the computer as a user with administrative rights.
When you delete a partition, all the data within that partition will be lost. *SO MOVE PROGRAMS FIRST
The partition containing Windows XP cannot be deleted from within Windows.
Extended partitions cannot be deleted unless the partition is empty – you must delete all the logical drives within it first.

I just went through this process myself yesterday, so i can vouch for its effectiveness, although my OS is WIN 7 .

This process was copy & pasted from :
http://www.rdweb.co.uk/removing_partition_hard_drive_using_windows_xp/

 

Problem is most programs know where they are installed (as in what drive & path), moving them now will really mess that system up. If I wasn't ready to face a full reload situation, I'd wouldn't even attempt what you're thinking. I don't think you're going to have much success in this, so run an image of the drive so you can go back.

 

Ah yes. Good point foogoo, I didn't think of that as I wasn't trying to move any programs.
I suppose, if there aren't too many programs Break_Da wants moved, he can just delete and reinstall them, or if theres a boatload, then i'd go with foogoo's advice .

 

I do not have a lot of programs on the partition, some are duplicated from my own error and are already on the 'Root' partition. I sifted through the programs looking at timestamps when the folders were created then started the program as normal from the Start menu, all is good so far and am creating a smaller list of programs needed to be reinstalled.