Is it possible to install software on a second hard drive?

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  1. Posts : 178
    Windows 7 Retail
       #1

    Is it possible to install software on a second hard drive?


    If Drive 1 is an SSD drive with the OS on it.
    If Drive 2 is blank regular hard drive.
    Is it possible to install software on Drive 2 using Drive 1 as my main boot drive?

    Drive 1 has room for some software, but not all. So I want to know if it's possible to connect a 2nd regular hard drive to install the rest of my software on.

    Thanks!
      My Computer


  2. Posts : 2,528
    Windows 7 x64 Ultimate
       #2

    98% of the time yes... mainly up to the instaler. Whether it lets you slect aninstall location or not. Ususally only only things like codecs and plug-ins and gadgets and stuff like that will still get automatically installed somewhere on your C drive where they need to be.
      My Computer


  3. Posts : 6,075
    Windows 7 Professional 64 bit
       #3

    Simple answer Yes!

    I have my operating system on my SSD and a regular HDD for all my steam games (200gb ish) plus films and pics stored on it.

    The drive has to be formatted and then when installing programs/games always select the "custom install" option when installing and change it to the drive/folder you want to install it on.
      My Computer


  4. Posts : 7,878
    Windows 7 Ultimate x64
       #4

    Yes, you often have to hit Customize during the install or change the path when it shows you where it will be installed to. Nearly all software allows you to choose where you want to install.
      My Computer


  5. Posts : 6,292
    Windows 7 64 Bit Home Premium SP1
       #5

    I've got a couple of old programs that won't play nice unless they are installed on the C: drive with the OS. But that's the problem, they're old programs and should be retired.

    Everything else installs where they are told, no issues.
      My Computer


  6. Posts : 6,075
    Windows 7 Professional 64 bit
       #6

    Yeah I think the thing to remember is and I quote from Fseal "98% of the time yes"

    The other 2% can be installed on the SSD.
      My Computer


  7. Posts : 178
    Windows 7 Retail
    Thread Starter
       #7

    OK thanks. I'll install my OS, security, and all my games on the SSD C drive. Then install the rest of my software on my blank HDD drive.
      My Computer


  8. Posts : 52
    Windows 7 Pro x64
       #8

    For some larger programs such as games on the second hard drive... would there be any performance issues compared to installing it on the Windows drive?
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  9. Posts : 6,292
    Windows 7 64 Bit Home Premium SP1
       #9

    If both drives were spinners or both were SSDs then I would think no.
    If the OS were on an SSD and the game on a spinner then I would think yes.
      My Computer


  10. Posts : 6,075
    Windows 7 Professional 64 bit
       #10

    Obviously with the games being on the regular HDD they will take longer to load than if they were on the SSD but that's about it.
      My Computer


 
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