Using SSD as boot drive/storage for a few games and HDD as main storage?

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Sackboy

Sackboy

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May 26, 2013
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Ok so in a few months I'm going to be building a computer,I want to get an SSD for faster boot time for Windows and to store a few steam games on there or other games. Though I have a few questions:
-When installing an antivirus software do I install it on the SSD or HDD?
-If I were to get a virus will it go to my SSD,HDD or both?
-If a virus is only on my boot drive (SSD) can I re-install Windows on it to remove it and still be able to access the HDD normally once Windows is installed again?
-As Windows is installed on the SSD,would putting things on the desktop be stored on the SSD or HDD?
 
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GeekThief-1354135

GeekThief-1354135

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Jul 4, 2013
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your wanting to do the same sort off set up i have from the sound off things. here is what i have done.

120GB SSD> Windows, Basic software's (AnitVirus, Office, Paint, Video editor, etc)
HDD 1> Steam, Origin, Uplay, Games, Games and more games. (i have over 1tb or games installed on my pc)
HDD 2> My user file (pictures, music, films, doc's, etc), pc backups, other stuff.
Ext HDD > Backup off everything on HDD2.

i also use a program to back up everything on my ssd to an image so i can restore it at anytime (like if i get a virus). also install your antivirus and over system software's on the same drive you install windows on (you ssd in this case).

steam lets you move game file locations. so you could have some steam games on your ssd. but i personally just stick them all on my storage drive.

PS yes you can reinstall windows on your ssd without affecting your storage drive. which means you will still be able to access data on your storage drive. but programs installed on your storage drive may need to be reinstall for them to work again.
 
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Fouchey

Fouchey

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Yes it is possible for a virus to move to your HDD. Normally they infect system files first but it really depends on the type of virus. I guess you really never know. There are ways for viruses to even spread USB with auto run capability. You should isntall an AV on your SSD as it will still scan your HDD also and any files downloaded. It's not really a question of if it WILL, it might and it might not it really just depends on the code as it is technically just an executable program. Putting things on your desktop is on your SSD.
 
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J_E_D_70

J_E_D_70

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Mar 21, 2012
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Are you going to be storing a lot of pics/movies/music as well or this just for gaming? If just gaming I always recommend taking the money most folks allocate or a 128GB SSD and 1TB HDD and just getting a 180GB (or better a 256GB) SSD instead. Everything is fast and there's no messing with what goes where. I'll never have a HDD in a gaming rig again.
 
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Sackboy

Sackboy

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I'm thinking about buying a 256gb SSD,I'll be storing the games I play the most on steam there. I'll also be buying a 2tb for storage for other programs/music/movies etc.
 
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Sackboy

Sackboy

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Is there a way to move the the entire Users (which includes desktop,downloads etc) folder on to the HDD that way I more space because I also put a lot of things on my desktop and I get to them a lot faster. I know you can transfer your documents folder to an hdd but I want to transfer the entire Users folder.
 
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USAFRet

USAFRet

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For SackBoy - be sure to read ALL of the comments on this at Lifehacker. Many people reported problems in logging back in to Windows after doing this.

Instead, how about a shortcut to a folder somewhere else that contains all this 'stuff' you want to keep on the Desktop.

To me, that procedure just sounds like more crap to break.
 
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Sackboy

Sackboy

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I just found a guide,it requires more work but the results seem pretty good and a lot of people seem to do it correctly. Here it is if you are ever interested in doing it https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Unm3VMTMZu4
 
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USAFRet

USAFRet

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For my use case, moving the User folder does not make sense. Minimal benefit for major hassle.

My main drive is a 128SSD. OS and almost all applications. Current used space - 63GB and holding.
Music, movies elsewhere. Steam games, elsewhere.

The User folder for the main user takes up ~ 15GB.
Personally, I have no reason to move that User folder elsewhere.

YMMV.
 
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Sackboy

Sackboy

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I use the desktop part of the User folder a lot because I put a lot of stuff on the desktop and having it all stored on the hdd will save me a ton of space. That guide is also good to route future installs of programs to the hdd. I think for me the hassle is worth but I'll see once I get the ssd.
 
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