2008 standard setup

I will be installing 2008R2 for the first time. I read that the program
files directory has to be on the same volume as windows. In the past, I had
a volume just for the os and I installed my programs on another volume. I
will be using raid 5.
Can I create a folder called programs on my other volume and install all my
programs there such as my Symantec End point antivirus program or should I
make the OS volume large enough to hold all of my program files? Some
programs still install files to my os volume even though I install the
program itself on another volume. Also, I will be redirecting my users my
documents to this server. On my 2003 server I just created a folder called
users on my other volume and redirected them there. Can I do that on 2008?
No sure which way is the best way to handle program files; does it matter if
I was to ever have to restore os volume. Some programs actually keep the
data where the program is installed. It seems to me that if all my programs
are installed on the same volume as windows under program files direcory then
what is the purpose of creating volumes. Why not just create one big volume?
Any help on understanding this would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks in advance,
Sher

I forgot to mention that this is going to be a DC.

"Sher" wrote:

> I will be installing 2008R2 for the first time. I read that the program
> files directory has to be on the same volume as windows. In the past, I had
> a volume just for the os and I installed my programs on another volume. I
> will be using raid 5.
> Can I create a folder called programs on my other volume and install all my
> programs there such as my Symantec End point antivirus program or should I
> make the OS volume large enough to hold all of my program files? Some
> programs still install files to my os volume even though I install the
> program itself on another volume. Also, I will be redirecting my users my
> documents to this server. On my 2003 server I just created a folder called
> users on my other volume and redirected them there. Can I do that on 2008?
> No sure which way is the best way to handle program files; does it matter if
> I was to ever have to restore os volume. Some programs actually keep the
> data where the program is installed. It seems to me that if all my programs
> are installed on the same volume as windows under program files direcory then
> what is the purpose of creating volumes. Why not just create one big volume?
> Any help on understanding this would be greatly appreciated.
> Thanks in advance,
> Sher