[...]But I would welcome any option that will help me to actually fix the problem without having to format. [...]
Hi!

I guess I know what your problem is. You still use the Windows style for data...
Your data is in the
/home DIRECTORY , in the ROOT PARTITION.Well, I guess there are two options here:
1. Keep things as they are and be happy with what you get.
2.
Learn to
use a /home PARTITION, then
CloneZilla, and everything will take you some 30 minutes, from testing a new Linux version to testing whatever distro catches your eye for whatever reason you might have.
Further more, you'll be able to use your system far better.
But in the end, it really is your choice!
That is
what I would do, before even one would be able to blink. Why hesitate?
Nothing would be lost, everything would be in its place, except that I would have a much better machine, in terms of performance.
Best Regards!
