How can I move Program Files from my SSD to my hard drive?
I want to move these files: https://imgur.com/bWf3xlX , from my SSD to my hard drive. Is it possible?
Posted Mar 12, 2018, 8:19 PM UTC
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(Without disrupting the computer)
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You don't. Not with out creating issues. Only programs you install should you even attempt to move. Do not mess with anything pre-installed.
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How would I go about installing programs once my SSD is full? I have a terabyte hard drive but I don't really use much data except for programs.
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For standard installer programs, usually you can pick the install directory. You may have to do a Custom install.
For program managers like Steam, Adobe CC, and similar you should be able to change the install/library directory or set up multiple directories.
On my system I have "Program Files" and "Program Files (x86)" folders on my boot SSD and hard drive so I can just change the drive letter to choose where a program goes. I have my game managers set up to use the hard drive.
I store all of my own documents and such on the hard drive but didn't move the Documents folder as what gets saved there is pretty small overall. Similarly, I left the UWP applications as the only ones I have installed are the system ones and I almost never use them.
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Thanks, that helped
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You won’t be able to move those files to an SSD or any external HD because they are the files that make up the guts & brains of your computer. I’ve never tried to do that but I’m sure you’re getting an error when attempting to do so, correct?
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I haven't attempted because I honestly didn't think it was safe.
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The only way to move program files is by uninstalling and reinstalling and specifying the external hard drive as your new location. Maybe you can do a cleanup of users folder and move stuff from there. Don't move the entire user folder or the default folders (contacts, desktop, documents, downloads, favourites). Just move folders or files from inside those folders. Also, if space is an issue, run disk cleanup to help as well.
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Symlinks.
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Why would you do that - rather defeats point of having an ssd. Move user data to hdd if short of space.
Is that the 'Users' folder?
Move your user libraries to your hard drive.
Thanks, I moved some data but I don't know how long my SSD will hold up.
Yes. I just copy data and delete it from users directories periodically.