How can I use my SSD for windows 7 and other applications, while using my HDD for games, photos, music

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squid917

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Nov 30, 2013
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I just got a Samsung 840 pro series 128 gb. Currently I have a 2tb HDD in my first bay. How could I
I use my SSD for windows 7 and other small applications, while using my HDD for things like steam games? Sorry, I am really new to this stuff so I need step by step instructions. Couldn't I just install windows 7 on my SSD and keep my HDD for games? I don't want to have to migrate my files, I just want to keep my games where they are and in the future just to be able to use my 2tb for downloading games, while SSD for booting and win 7. I know I have to go into bios, but I am confused. I'm probably completely wrong.
 
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Just only hook up the SSD to the motherboard while installing Windows (and then hook up the HDD afterwards).
Then when you install games or programs, you just decide which ones go on the SSD and which ones go on the HDD.

Steam can be installed on one drive and have some of its games installed on a different drive, if you set up a Steam library there. I have a handful of my most-played games on my SSD, and the rest are on my HDD in a Steam library.
Just only hook up the SSD to the motherboard while installing Windows (and then hook up the HDD afterwards).
Then when you install games or programs, you just decide which ones go on the SSD and which ones go on the HDD.

Steam can be installed on one drive and have some of its games installed on a different drive, if you set up a Steam library there. I have a handful of my most-played games on my SSD, and the rest are on my HDD in a Steam library.
 
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RealBeast

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Install the SSD with the HDD not connected, and after insuring that AHCI SATA mode is set in the bios. Once you do the install, then add the HDD and change the registry settings that control where things go.

HERE is a tutorial on moving User folders. This controls music, pictures, documents, and video storage by User and can move it to a different drive if you wish.

To change your default program installation location you need to change a couple of registry keys. Open regedit in the start button program search windows and find this key: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion click on it and look in the right side box for ProgramFilesDir and ProgramFilesDir (x86) and change the key value from C:\Program Files and C:\Program Files (x86) to where you want them to go, like E:\Program Files and E:\Program Files (x86)
 

You don't really need to do any of that.

Libraries for pictures etc. can be set up to include folders on different drives.
And when you install programs, they'll ask where to install.
 
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