I don't know who else is in the same 'boat' as me.

But Windows 7 has a different way of handling the Swap file and Protection of System files.

A Hidden 'System' partition is part of Windows 7 - The Windows Swap file (similar to Linux) and essential system files are backed up on this partition for recovery purposes. This is great. Just that feature is a leap forward.

Pretty cool, could help prevent data loss when someone has to format and didn't think of setting it up like this.
I currently Have my system and data on two separate drives.

Great to know. Sad thing is, I probably won't be able to use Windows 7 with the technology that I have today (and my next upgrade is going to be in early 2011 or late 2010.

I think the OS should sit on it's own partition anyway, at least a different one to where the user accounts are stored, so if you do need to format and reinstall your OS your personal data remains fine.

Windows 7 is running at least as well as Vista on my test box. All my devices and printers are working flawlessly too.

What are you running today?

Can't wait until some idiot comes out with a tweak that tries to disable this feature because it takes up resources and reads your brainwaves.

I think this is a great step. But this should also hold copies of the user profile/directory and the registry. So if you're hit with some sorta major problem recovering your system would be simple.

I suppose right now you could just use system restore+ OS backups so you can get back to how your system was after a reinstall.

I also keep my OS and apps/downloaded data on different drives.

What makes you think it's a recovery partition?

In other words, don't believe everything you read.

I'm open to any other explanations as to what it's there for.

Well, in Vista the separate boot partition is for Bitlocker.

But it is not the same technology as Windows 7?