How Can I Change My Install Directory From My SSD To My Hard Drive On Windows 10

[lightbulb751]

Hello, I am beyond frustrated and have dedicated beyond 4 hours of trying to find out how to do this. So what I have is a 120GB M.2 SSD that has my OS on it (Which I wanted) now I am trying to figure out how I can download all my software but not put it on the SSD but on my internal 1TB hard drive that I have to store all my applications. The issue is that when I download software it doesn't even let me pick where to install the software to what drive I want and automatically goes to the SSD. Now is there anyway there is a fix? I have tried going into settings and going to my storage but when I go to the 'New apps will save to" its greyed out and defaulted to my SSD. Another thing I have seen people do is go into the "regedit" but personally I am very skeptical about doing this and have heard that, that way harms your computer? Not sure if its true but please can someone help me as I am so desperate to figure this out.

Thanks!

 

[Laptop_Nerd]

Hi,

This was my problem as well before when I upgrade a SSD into my PC. Here's a video guide that I used to change the installation directory in my PC that may work for you as well and yes it should be done inside registry editor. Make sure to make a backup of your registry first before you do all these steps.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q90HO_rzfqI

 

[USAFRet]

I can't stress hard enough to NOT change the default install directory.

A lot of things you DO want on the SSD. Even a 120GB.
Applications don't really take up much space.

For Win 10 'apps'? The newest upgrade of Win 10 lets you change that location.

Until recently, I had a 120GB as my C drive. Win 8.1 Pro, Office 2010 Pro, Adobe Lightroom, Paintshop Pro, MS Visual Studio, Corel Video Studio, etc, etc, etc.
All fit no problem.

What DOES take up space is video, music, games.
So, see 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

 

[Colif]

Whats benefit of having ssd and only putting windows on it? Your base will be super fast but OS will have to wait for a slow HDD to get everything you load. Defeats purpose of even having the ssd then. In the future when all storage is ssd, then Microsoft will probably let you change install location but we are not there yet.

That and changing default could have serious consequences for future win 10 updates if they all went to your new directory instead.

 

[instyne]

The following will answer the questions you have about installing your OS on the SSD and putting programs on your HDD. If your HDD is SATA 3 compatible the speed won't be an issue unless you're into heavy video editing. My computer is set up this way with Windows 10 and plays games very well. Copy link into browser and yes it works on 10 minor changes from Win 7 http://www.overclock.net/t/1156654/seans-windows-7-install-optimization-guide-for-ssds-hdds

 

[CrazyMav]

Whats benefit of having ssd and only putting windows on it? Your base will be super fast but OS will have to wait for a slow HDD to get everything you load. Defeats purpose of even having the ssd then. In the future when all storage is ssd, then Microsoft will probably let you change install location but we are not there yet.

That and changing default could have serious consequences for future win 10 updates if they all went to your new directory instead.

I agree. That said.. I only have my OS on my ssd cause I just happen to have an ssd and don't care about my programs startup speed. I do have my firewall, video card drivers and anti malware software on there though. Eh.

 

[Colif]

i don't have everything on the ssd but if its just a small program I use all the time i put it on ssd. Anything that would need to be reinstalled if Win 10 died are on C, everything else isn't.

All my games, music, documents, etc are on the 2tb as they are too big to fit on ssd, and cause it makes reinstalling windows easier if all libraries are safe on 2nd drive.

Still have 163gb free on the ssd, out of 232gb.. i haven't gone mad with it.