Apps keep installing on both the SSD & HDD, how do I choose just one?

bal1985 · 25 Dec 2014

Why is it when I install applications on my E:\ drive (HDD), some of the applications files still install on the C:\ drive (SDD where Win7 is installed)? Example, I installed PokIt, it's a screen capture program. I installed it on the SSD: "E:\Users\******\Program Files (x86)\PokIt". However, when I took a screenshot, it stores the jpg in the "C:\Users\****\AppData\Local\PokIt" folder on my SSD where Win7 is. Why won't it store it on my HDD along with the other files? I noticed this happens a lot with other applications.

Another example, I installed iTunes on my HDD. However, any time I open iTunes a "Apple Computer" folder is created at this path "C:\Users\****\AppData\Local". Why are files being created or put on my SSD when I set the installation path of iTunes on my HDD?

Here are some screenshots...

1. First I created some folders on my E:\ drive (My HDD), the E:\ drive was empty before no folders, nothing.

2. I tried to make the E:\ drive look similar to the C:\ drive.

3. I then installed iTunes on the E:\ drive (HDD) like I would as If I was installing it on my C:\ drive. I created Program Files & Program FIles (x86) folders.

4. Then I noticed other iTunes files where installed over on the C: drive (SSD) in several locations.

If I install Photoshop say tomorrow, how do I make sure all the files from the entire Photoshop install stay on the HDD away from Windows and the SSD?

CKWD · 25 Dec 2014

Hello bal1985!

Every app, program, software, game that you install, gives you the option where to be installed. Still, each and every program, while installed on another than the C: drive, “puts” some files also in C:. These are most likely system files for the certain application you're having that need to be installed on your OS drive and that's not optional.
When you choose where a program to be installed, on C: or D: or X:, it installs its main files there, but the system part of the software goes where the OS is – on C:.

I have to admit, there may be ways to redirect these system files, but it's not recommended or advisable.

Cheers! :)

CK_WD

TVeblen · 25 Dec 2014

In addition, some of the files in question are "User Files". By convention, Windows programs will save user files to the User's Profile set up in Windows (C:\Users\'User Name'\..... )

Better written software will have an option in the program to redirect saved user files to another directory. But many just dump them in the default directory.

You can, however, tell Windows to change the location of the default Users directory. See here:
User Profile - Change Default Location