Option to keep or delete partitions
You stated that 'performing a clean install means blowing away all existing partitions' but this is not correct, is it? In fact, the process of performing a clean install of Windows 8 appears exactly the same as it was for Vista and Windows 7, in that you choose custom and when you are presented with the partition list, you can click Drive Options (advanced) where you can then choose on which paritition you wish to install Win 8. You can also choose to format or delete any of your other partitions - ie: you do not have to delete (blow away) any of your other partitions!
A lot of so-called destructive recovery programs also make incorrect statements (dire warnings) like 'performing this will delete all your data' etc.!' without adding 'on your C: drive' ! And whilst it is never a bad idea to back up all your personal data before performing either a 'Restore to Factory Conditions' recovery or indeed a custom, clean install of the OS, in case YOU accidentally choose the wrong partition on which to perform the process. However, if run correctly, these procedures do NOT affect your other partitions. And dire warnings telling you they do are not helpful!
