how to use software and programs on data drives after clean install on ssd

Toggle sidebar Toggle sidebar
S

Skipping-Bear

Reputable
Dec 12, 2014
438
0
4,810
as most people, i got the free upgrade to windows 10 pro. i had to upgrade my existing win 8 on my ssd i have 3 other hdd for data. all my data and programs are on the data HDD, if i do a clean install of windows 10 to my ssd will i still be able to use the software that was installed on the HDDs. i have it set up so my HDDs have the program files and program files x86 so when i install a program it goes to the hdd instead of the hdd. is there a way to do a clean install of win 10 and still able to use the software like steam and itunes, chrome and some retail games. i really dont want to reinstall my programs that are on my hdd. i remember when i got my ssd and installed win 8 on it i had a bunch problems running my a lot of my programs i wasnt sure how to fix it so i just had to reinstall all my software and prgrams which was very tedious and lengthy
 
Solution
yoji


Yes..although you THINK you installed the programs only on your HDD.. many components of that install will use your core "C:" Drive.. e.g. anything that goes in the registry.. and many save games or setup configs will go in your peronal "user" area..(which by default is always on your C drive).. so if you just wipe your C for a clean install.. you lose all that.
So the programs lose config settings and core run info from the registry (e.g...
Sort by date Sort by votes
yoji

yoji

Distinguished
Jul 1, 2011
1,592
8
20,715
A clean install is just that.. clean.. which means Win 10 will not know about any of your current installs.
Depending on the programs.. you may be able to get them working easily.. or some may need a complete reinstall and will lose all their previous settings.
World of Warcraft (and all Blizzard games) for instance is very good.. just go the to the game folder and install on the exe or launcher and it will auto reinstall the launcher and work.. but many games/programs are don't handle it so well (e.g. you may lose settings.. or save games.. etc)
So sorry - there is no simple answer if you do a clean install.. it all depends on the programs.
Cheers
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
yoji

yoji

Distinguished
Jul 1, 2011
1,592
8
20,715


Thanks not true.. it can be WAY more complex that just setting up shortcuts... you should not give such simplistic and misleading advice.. You have Win 10 badge.. so should know better.
Cheers

 
Upvote 0 Downvote
S

Skipping-Bear

Reputable
Dec 12, 2014
438
0
4,810


see when i got my ssd i installed win 8 and tried to go into my hdd and tried to run a few programs and it didnt do anything infact i remember steam being the only program that would actually start after having switch to my ssd, the others either didnt do anything or gave me an error that the installation was linked to another pc or something like that, even though i installed all my programs to my data HDD, and only the os on my ssd
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
TechyInAZ

TechyInAZ

Titan
Jun 23, 2014
18,223
401
81,340
www.youtube.com


If a program is installed on a hard disk and is completely independent from the main Windows drive, then you should be able to use that program whenever you want, whether it was installed on the current machines installation or not shouldn't matter.

Now, if your saying that part of the program is still on the main windows drive, and the rest of the program is on the hard disk, then yeah I see what your saying.

 
Upvote 0 Downvote
S

Skipping-Bear

Reputable
Dec 12, 2014
438
0
4,810

yeah i back up all my important game saves. this is what i thought it would be like doing a clean install. there was one more thing, i had to do the upgrade method of installation instead of just a plain clean install, i think i remember this right but after you upgraded from 8 to 10 and 10 is activated. people can now do as many clean installs of win 10 to my machine if needed. is that right? i dont get why the people with the free upgrades had to jump through the loop in order to do a clean install.
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
S

Skipping-Bear

Reputable
Dec 12, 2014
438
0
4,810



I havent done the clean install yet. but i remember when i got the ssd pretty much none of the programs would work i tried quite a few to see if it was just one program or or all of them. i tried malwarebytes, obs, chrome, itunes, battlefield , msi after burner, thats just to name a few

 
Upvote 0 Downvote
yoji

yoji

Distinguished
Jul 1, 2011
1,592
8
20,715


Yes..although you THINK you installed the programs only on your HDD.. many components of that install will use your core "C:" Drive.. e.g. anything that goes in the registry.. and many save games or setup configs will go in your peronal "user" area..(which by default is always on your C drive).. so if you just wipe your C for a clean install.. you lose all that.
So the programs lose config settings and core run info from the registry (e.g. product keys) and so just wont work.

Hope that explains a bit more..
Cheers

 
Upvote 0 Downvote
Solution
You must log in or register to reply here.

TRENDING THREADS

Latest posts

Moderators online

Share this page

COMPANY
RESOURCES
FOLLOW
Top Bottom