Ensure new HDD is for storage, Old SSD for boot

caber1240 · Nov 30, 2017

Win10 using SSD: Got an HDD to supplement storage and cloned the SSD on it.
C: is SSID
D: is HDD boot partition (came with the cloning)
E: is HDD basic storage

I want to make the HDD "replace" the SSD in the minds of programs and default storage locations while using the SSD to boot, but I've also heard that C: has to be the primary boot drive.

How can I ensure previously downloaded programs and games will now use the HDD?
How can I ensure that the HDD will "act" as the C: from now on?
(preferably without registry edits)

James Mason · Nov 30, 2017

uhh, well cloning the SSD to the HDD wasn't the thing to do. The SSD has to be the C: drive to boot, or well the C drive is the drive windows is installed on (always.)

1. Format the HDD. (it'll become to D or E drive depending on if you have an cd/dvd drive or not)
2. Open File Explorer. Make sure the left side navigation pane is visible. (View tab, Panes on the left of the tool bar)
3. Right click the various Libraries (Downloads/documents/music/ect) under the "This PC" list in the navigation pane.
4. Choose Properties. And then in the Properties window, go to the Location tab and press the Move... button. Select the D: drive and press Select Folder to confirm. Say yes to move the files over to their new location.
5. Repeat for all the libraries.
6. If you want to change where the programs are installed, you'll have to uninstall them and reinstall them to the D drive when you go through the install process for each program. You may have to choose the 'advanced" option to change where the program goes to install.

USAFRet · Nov 30, 2017

caber1240 :

NO.
You do NOT do it this way.

The default location for program installs is the C drive.
You can, in almost all programs, tell it to install elsewhere.
You can't force ALL of them to automatically be elsewhere.

I fear you've already borked up the whole situation, by cloning the SSD to the HDD.
Not a good move.

What size is this SSD?
What OS is this?

For managing space between the SSD and the HDD(s), read this:
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

caber1240 · Nov 30, 2017

USAFRet :

Can I un-clone it?
The goal was to make it function with already installed programs and modded programs (which use a host to point).

1500GB, I have another identical one. They were both given away at work (likely used in networking servers) and it was seen as a Foreign Disk, so I had to set it to basic before I could assign a letter.

Win10

USAFRet · Nov 30, 2017

caber1240 :

Let's go back to step 1.

You had the OS on the SSD?
And it was working OK?
And you've not wiped that drive?

If so....test.
Power off.
Disconnect ALL other drive, except the SSD
Power up.

Does it boot up OK?
If yes, we can proceed from there.

caber1240 · Nov 30, 2017

James Mason :

Thanks for the quick reply!

I must have missed the issue with cloning. Is formatting it going to help with this? The goal was to make modded programs still function (their files are scattered everywhere for reason and I bet they have hidden/ temp files).

caber1240 · Nov 30, 2017

USAFRet :

OS on partition of SSD.
Been working for over a year.
Did not wipe anything yet.
Can I simply disable the drive via BIOS instead of physical disconnect?

James Mason · Nov 30, 2017

caber1240 :

No, programs can't be moved in such a way, not without knowing exactly how their registry entries are setup, which is what the point of installing them is.

USAFRet · Nov 30, 2017

caber1240 :

No, physical disconnect.
Takes about 10 seconds.

I'm just trying to establish a baseline where we can proceed from.

caber1240 · Nov 30, 2017

USAFRet :

It booted up.

USAFRet · Nov 30, 2017

caber1240 :

OK, next question...
Aside from whatever you cloned to the HDD, what is on these HDD's?

Ideally, we want to start with blank drives.

ANd how much space is consumed on your current SSD?

caber1240 · Nov 30, 2017

USAFRet :

Once it was set to basic, they appeared blank. They may have been handled by tech before donating to staff.
It has nearly identical mbs of stored data when compared to the SSD.

USAFRet · Nov 30, 2017

caber1240 :

So there IS, or there WAS, nothing on these drives that you wish to keep?
Everything exists on the current SSD?

caber1240 · Nov 30, 2017

USAFRet :

Yes, the only data I want to keep is on the SSD.

USAFRet · Nov 30, 2017

OK, now we have a good starting place...

On the HDD you cloned TO, you need to delete ALL those partitions that ended up from the cloning operation.
Resulting in a blank drive.
Create a single partition using the whole space.

So then you have:
SSD - OS and applications
HDD1 - blank
HDD2 - blank

This is a very typical configuration.

Use the HSS's for stuff whee the SSD speed does not matter.
Doc/Video/Music....and even games.

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

For Steam games, easy to have them live on other drives.
Like this
Steam games location
In the steam client:
Steam
Settings
Downloads
Steam Library Folders
Add library folder

caber1240 · Nov 30, 2017

USAFRet :

Ok. Thank you for the follow through.
Will moving the folders avoid reinstalling all software and resetting all modifications?
So any new downloads or mods can be directed to the new folders manually? I fear in-program scripts may point to the C:

USAFRet · Nov 30, 2017

caber1240 :

Some things WILL end up on the C drive, no matter what you do. That's just the way it works.
Specific game mods? That is a case by case basis.

Ensure new HDD is for storage, Old SSD for boot

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