Should I install programs in the same drive as Windows?

[kame0000]

Some say the programs/games would run smoother because its in the same drive as Windows. Others say install stuff in another drive and let windows have a whole drive , so that windows can run smoother.

Thank you

 

[huffman]

I have done this both ways and I can NOT tell the difference in the way the software runs.

When I install software on the same drive as the OS, I do make a separate directory called "Programs" and then a directory for each piece of software inside that (just makes it easier when I want to uninstall a program/game).

By having everything on one drive, it does make it easier to use something like Acronis or Macrium to create a backup image.

I do use another partition or drive to save data, pictures or movies or for downloading from the internet.

Use which ever is easier for you.

 

[TanyaC]

Some say the programs/games would run smoother because its in the same drive as Windows. Others say install stuff in another drive and let windows have a whole drive , so that windows can run smoother.

Thank you

I also used to put all my programs on a separate drive. Did it religiously for more than a decade. But since upgrading to a SSD drive, everything now goes on C: drive.

I found that splitting them made no difference in making images or backups. I could just as easily select one or both drives to image/back up.

The reason I split them was (a). Reinstalls of programs was quicker if the programs were still in place (b). Many programs create files in their program folders and I could reinstall windows without worrying about losing any of that data. For me, it seemed simpler to split them.

But with the SSD drive, and daily backups, it just made sense to put everything on one drive.

As Huffman says, it's really a personal choice. There are no real negatives either way.

 

[rraod]

Windows installs the programs in Program Files folder in the Windows default drive. This place is good enough for the programs.


Only when the default drive has no space left for installing programs, you can install in a second drive or partition.


There is no additional advantage in installing the programs in another drive or partition.

 

[DeaconFrost]

I let the apps install to the default folders for one reason and only one reason. There's never been a reason for me to do it differently.

 

[spedwards]

I had the same question, so this post answers it. I also saw similar replies in a much older post.

My reason for wanting to install programs on my second drive is that it's huge and my 80 gb SSD drive with Windows on it is almost half full.

I would still like to ask, if I install programs that store local user data (such as Office or a browser) on a separate disk, where is the user data saved - on the same disk as the program or the same disk as Windows?

Hope my question is clear and thanks for any clarification.

 

[wanchoo]

Best to install all third party programs on the same drive as Windows, generally C:\, if it large enough. I am saying this after trying out both the options.

 

[DeaconFrost]

My system had a 120 GB SSD in it, and I installed all apps the sstem drive, except for my games, which want on my second drive, under a folder called Games. I did that only because they can be upwards of 15 GB each.

 

[spedwards]

Thanks for your replies.

DeaconFrost, You install all your programs on the system drive because you have plenty of room. You install your games on the second drive because they are big. You don't say - do you know of a problem with installing programs on the second drive?

wanchoo, You say you tried both options. What was the problem with installing programs on the second drive?

huffman said he has seen no difference between the two. Maybe that's what I want to hear, because I don't like loading up the system SSD to capacity.

Any other comments? Thanks!

 

[wanchoo]

There was no problem in installing the third party programs on the other drive. There was no advantage either. In case you reformatted the system drive, you had to install those programs all over again because many of their files were lodged in Windows mostly System32 folder.

The size of music, movies and videos has grown beyond imagination so why assign space in the other drive for Program Files.

For these reasons I now prefer to keep the Program Files on the system drive.

Thanks for your replies.

DeaconFrost, You install all your programs on the system drive because you have plenty of room. You install your games on the second drive because they are big. You don't say - do you know of a problem with installing programs on the second drive?

wanchoo, You say you tried both options. What was the problem with installing programs on the second drive?

huffman said he has seen no difference between the two. Maybe that's what I want to hear, because I don't like loading up the system SSD to capacity.

Any other comments? Thanks!

 

[gregrocker]

Programs write keys to the registry which integrates them into the OS so should remain on OS partition for imaging and other reasons.

If space is a consideration move User profile or folders to another partition which actually safeguards them in case of OS failure, whereas Programs will be useless.
User Folders - Change Default Location
User Profile - Change Default Location