How to change default installation drive to HDD

Tiress · May 16, 2017

So I bought a SSD and installed Windows and some games on it but now I want to change my HDD to the primary drive where everything I install goes to. Basically, I want to not use anymore of the SSD's space. Is this possible? Also, when going to properties in that Documents thing, I don't see the Location tab.

USAFRet · May 16, 2017

Tiress :

What size is this SSD?

1. Basically, you do NOT change the default application install to a drive other than the OS drive.
Some things simply will not. A lot of things you DO want on the OS drive.
Just select Custom or Advanced for each application you install.
And really...applications do not take up a lot of space.
Games, video, music...those things do.

Searching around, you may find some registry hack. Do not do this. You will literally end up with a system that you have to wipe and reinstall.
Many, many things will be totally broken.

2. For things that DO take up lots of space, read these:
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

3. Steam games? Easy. Those you CAN default to a different drive.
Steam games location
In the steam client:
Steam
Settings
Downloads
Steam Library Folders
Add library folder

Tiress · May 16, 2017

USAFRet :

Tiress :

What size is this SSD?

1. Basically, you do NOT change the default application install to a drive other than the OS drive.
Some things simply will not. A lot of things you DO want on the OS drive.
Just select Custom or Advanced for each application you install.
And really...applications do not take up a lot of space.
Games, video, music...those things do.

Searching around, you may find some registry hack. Do not do this. You will literally end up with a system that you have to wipe and reinstall.
Many, many things will be totally broken.

2. For things that DO take up lots of space, read these:
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

3. Steam games? Easy. Those you CAN default to a different drive.
Steam games location
In the steam client:
Steam
Settings
Downloads
Steam Library Folders
Add library folder

120GB, I have about 20 Gigs left after installing OS and some games as mentioned. So I should just go on with my computing experience? Will my operating not use the rest of the 20 Gigs if I install programs on HDD and re-direct games to HDD?

USAFRet · May 17, 2017

Tiress :

20GB is right on the edge of comfortable free space.
Just don't install anything else to that drive.

You might want to look into hibernation and see if it is still on.
That is often a major space sucker.
To turn it OFF, see here: https://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/819-hibernate-enable-disable.html

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How to change default installation drive to HDD

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