New SSD installed but all programs on old HDD

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IrishLaad

IrishLaad

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Jan 8, 2014
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Hi all. Thanks in advance for any advice.

So as the title says i installed my SSD today with windows 10 on it and I just plugged my old HDD straight in after. Now my old HDD has all programs and documents on it and I want to keep it that way. I dont want anything on the SSD, I'll just use it to boot the OS. So how do I get my programs to function on the HDD?

The old version of windows 7 is still on the HDD with all the files, how do I go about uninstalling it so its just my programs and documents?

Thanks .
 
Solution
USAFRet
You don't. Your applications need to be reinstalled with the new OS.

They can be installed on the SSD or the HDD, but they do need to be reinstalled. You can't use them where they are on the old drive.
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DookieDraws

DookieDraws

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What USAFRet said. I would also recommend backing up all of your important files that are on that old HD, and after doing so, reformat that drive and use it for storage.

Why would you NOT want to install your programs onto the SSD? Programs can launch much quicker from the SSD. Of course, you can install your programs to the old HD if you wish to do so, you'll just need to point the installation to the older driver when installing them.
 
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IrishLaad

IrishLaad

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Jan 8, 2014
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Thee SSD is only 120. Im just going to leave if for the OS and my documents and music. So i will reformat the HDD and just reinstall onto that. Thanks for the advice. Is it possible to route, lets say, when i click on my documents on my desktop that it opens on the HDD and not the local disc? Or when i download something from the web it savers on my downloads on the HDD. I want to boycott the SSD
 
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USAFRet

USAFRet

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Saving space on the SSD. This was written just for you:

Win 7 & 8: http://www.tomshardware.com/faq/id-1834397/ssd-redirecting-static-files.html
Win 8.1 & 10: http://www.tomshardware.com/faq/id-2024314/windows-redirecting-folders-drives.html

However, a 120GB SSD can actually hold more applications than you might think. Games, OTOH, WILL take up a lot of space.
But do read and apply the above links.
 
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SBMfromLA

SBMfromLA

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You've been given incorrect information...

It is possible to get your programs running on your old HDD. Not many people know how do it it so they automatically discourage it.. but I've been doing this for years...

This seems to work on 90% of the programs I've encountered...

Step 1:
Go to Folder Options and select options to SHOW HIDDEN FOLDERS AND DRIVES

Step 2:
Go to the following three locations:
Program Data
AppData\Local
AppData\Roaming

The programs you want to get up and running... look to see if any of them have data folders in those locations... if so... do a copy and then PASTE in the same location on SSD.

Be careful.. you do NOT want copy everything... only limit it to a few programs... it could be listed under the name of the program or the publisher or developer. Also, just limit everything to the stuff you installed yourself. You could try doing this with a single game to test out if it really works or not.. don't worry, it does.

Once you do that... go to your old HDD and look at the install folder for each program you wish to run... Open the folder and create a new shortcut to the .EXE that's inside it. You can either create it to the desktop or put it in your Start Menu...

Now you're done... the program should run like it used too... This method is great for moving entire games that you can't reinstall over... I've done this with my Steam folder and it works great.
 
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