How to change Default Disk Drive

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Recklesnes

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I got a new computer, and the SSD is ( C: ) while the HDD is ( D: ). The SSD is only 64gb and is used just as a boot drive, but everything that gets installed onto my computer goes directly into it. I want to change my main disk drive to the HDD which has 3 TB of open space, so how would I do that?
 
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USAFRet


See this:
Win 7 & 8: http://www.tomshardware.com/faq/id-1834397/ssd-redirecting-static-files.html
Win 8.1: http://www.tomshardware.com/faq/id-2024314/windows-redirecting-folders-drives.html
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USAFRet

USAFRet

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See this:
Win 7 & 8: http://www.tomshardware.com/faq/id-1834397/ssd-redirecting-static-files.html
Win 8.1: http://www.tomshardware.com/faq/id-2024314/windows-redirecting-folders-drives.html
 
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SBMfromLA

SBMfromLA

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I know what you're asking... You want to change the default location for programs that you install, right? YES, that can be done in Windows but you'll need to edit the registry. I have done that before because I thought it would be perfect with my system.. but I do recall running into some issues, which I honestly can't remember. I do recall that edit has to be done for stuff installed in Programs Files & the other Program Files (x86) folders.. and I had some issues..

Here are instructions on changing default Path:
http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum/windows_7-windows_programs/how-do-you-change-the-default-installation/73450b25-d794-4f18-9add-75253b893343

Note.. I have a three drive system and I install all my games and misc. programs onto Drive D.. I just take my time and always choose CUSTOM or ADVANCED during the install and selecting my D drive as the place I want to install files. You can go ahead and make the registry change.. but unless you install tons of files daily... just do it manually.
 
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SBMfromLA

SBMfromLA

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That's one of the benefits of Windows.... extensive customization options. There are people who say you shouldn't do this or that... and then there are people who say it's OK. I think you should decide for yourself how you want to customize "YOUR" computer to suit your needs. Any registry change could cause system instability... but then again... the same applies to Overclocking a CPU, GPU or RAM.

I highly recommend that BEFORE you do anything... either make a backup of your Registry or perform an Image Backup of your entire O/S drive.. so that if you run into any problems you could easily revert it back to normal. Once you do that, there's no reason not to have a little fun.
 
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Recklesnes

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What I'm looking to do i change the C:/ drive to my hdd, but still boot from my ssd if that is possible.
That way everything would just install directly onto the HDD
It's a new computer so not much is on it, so a reboot or deleting everything isn't too much of a hassle
If someone could point me to a way to do that it would be appreciated, because everything i found so far has some sort of catch
also for the advanced install and suff like that, i tried it but with windows skype and spotify on my SSD, it's is already filled up, because those 2 programs do not have a custom or advanced install.
EDIT: I also tried the right click on library and move it to my D;/ drive (HDD), but this led to more issues as installed things kept getting put onto my C:/ Program Files folder and the downloaded launchers were on my D:/ Drive
 
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USAFRet

USAFRet

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Again...you do not want to do this.
For applications, you, the human, be in control. You choose where everything installs.
A lot of things, you WANT on the SSD.

If you try to force everything to be installed on the other drive, you will run into issues.
 
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Recklesnes

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Okay, then is there some sort of way to always get custom install?
Also the only thing i want on my SSD is windows 8, because i plan on installing Windows 10 when it comes out and there is only about 10gb left with small programs that do NOT have custom or advanced installation. some things such as Skype and spotify.
EDIT: so for skype i copied the folder containing everything, pasted it onto my D;/ drive, and made a shortcut for the .exe. Is this always the case for new programs? Also i did the same for steam and it recognized the disk movement and moved all my current downloads onto the D:/.
 
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USAFRet

USAFRet

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For just about all applications, it gives you the opportunity to choose.
Don't just click through the install, but stop and read. Choose Custom or Advanced.


For copy/paste the install location....don't do that. Again..choose where duringt he intial insta..
For Stem games, leave the client on the default drive. It is tiint.
For games, you can, within the Steam client, designate multiple other locations.

This is my Steam game folders from a while ago:
kIDUBF7.png

Multiple drives, multiple folders. Designated directly from the Steam client that lives on the C drive.
 
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Recklesnes

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Okay thank you
I'll just have to remember to always click custom install
Is there some sort of bad thing that comes from copying and pasting a program's files onto my D:/ drive?
Something like skype ( a programs that doesnt have custom install) worked fine when copied and pasted onto my D;/ drive
Also if i were to upgrade my SSD in the future when transfering all my files would the new one be registered as a C:/ drive if installed in the same sata port?
 
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USAFRet

USAFRet

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"Bad thing"? Many applications do not work well doing that. Or at all.

Later, if you want to change your SSD, you have a couple of options:
1. Migrate the entire thing from the old drive to the new drive. If it works (usually, but not 100%) all will be exactly as it is now, just on a different/larger drive.

2. Fresh install....do all of it all over again.
 
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USAFRet

USAFRet

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It should. Samsung includes a Data Migration application. It usually works.
 
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