win7 install to A: on sdd?


  1. h00tsman
    Posts : 4
    win7 64bit
       New #1

    win7 install to A: on sdd?


    Good morning all.

    Hi to everyone.

    A friend recommended me here to ask this question, so hopefully you can help. I have done some research on it but nothing really answering it direct.

    Anyway enough of the banter.
    Short and sweet.

    Can I install win7 64bit onto a 60gb SSD drive but A:\ not C:\ - then install a standard HDD into the case for everything to install to C:\ as default.?

    I understand that I need to enable the ACHI in the BIOS and make sure no other drives are connected.
    OR
    Should I install as per normal to C:\ (SSD) and re-route all user files and programs to default to the HDD which will be E: through the registry.
    I just want to avoid having anything installing to the SSD other than Win7.

    Thanks for any help you can offer.x:)
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  3. whs
    Posts : 26,210
    Vista, Windows7, Mint Mate, Zorin, Windows 8
       New #2

    The active OS will always be C - regardless whether it is on an SSD or HDD. If you want a backup, make an image of the OS on the SSD and place that image on the HDD.

    Moving the user data to the HDD is the usual procedure. If you make a fresh installation of Win7 to the SSD, then this tutorial will help you to move the user folder default location: User Folders - Change Default Location

    If you currently have Win7 on the HDD and want to move it to the SSD, then this tutorial will help: SSD - Install and Transfer the Operating System
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  4. h00tsman
    Posts : 4
    win7 64bit
    Thread Starter
       New #3

    Whs,

    Thanks for the links, couple other quick questions:
    Does moving the user folders automatically mean data is sent there?
    How do I change default location for program install etc?

    Do you recommend installing the graphic and mobo drivers to the SSD or HDD?

    Thanks
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  6. whs
    Posts : 26,210
    Vista, Windows7, Mint Mate, Zorin, Windows 8
       New #4

    1. If you move the folders as per instruction, the data is moved automatically.

    There is though an alternative (which I prefer). Make a data partition on the HDD and define new folders (Music; Documents, Videos, etc.). Then right click on those folders and INCLUDE them into the appropriate libraries. Then move your data into those. The advantage is that you clearly seperate your own stuff from entries to e.g. Documents that certain programs make. Capacity wise that is not a problem because those program entries are typically very small in size.

    2. Programs you can only direct to different folders during installation time. Unless you have very big programs (e.g. games) it is not worth it. The bread and butter programs do not take a lot of space on the SSD. I have a lot of programs on my SSDs and the biggest C partition is only occupied by 30GBs. Most are around 20 to 25GB (I have 5 systems with SSDs).

    3. The drivers will go on the SSD. There is no choice.
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  7. Barman58
    Posts : 31,250
    Windows 11 Pro x64 [Latest Release and Release Preview]
       New #5

    One other thing is the location of the swap file - this may be moved from the SSD to the HDD, (create a small partition for this purpose)

    the issue with this is of course that the swap file is best placed on the fastest drive, which will be the SSD, although the act of moving it to the HDD will prevent the high number of writes to the SSD.

    It is possible to run without a swapfile, but certain programs will have issues with this even on systems with ample RAM
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  8. h00tsman
    Posts : 4
    win7 64bit
    Thread Starter
       New #6

    Thanks Whs,

    That is all very helpful and most appreciated.
    What is your view on this:
    If I change my SDD drive (with OS) to D:\ and my large hdd to C:\ - that will then mean all default installs would go to C:\ ?
    But in the bios ill set the boot drive to D:\
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  10. h00tsman
    Posts : 4
    win7 64bit
    Thread Starter
       New #7

    Thanks barman, good advice.

    Ive just done that now.

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  11. whs
    Posts : 26,210
    Vista, Windows7, Mint Mate, Zorin, Windows 8
       New #8

    As I said earlier, the OS partition must be C - that is automatic. Suggest not to play with it.
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  12. Barman58
    Posts : 31,250
    Windows 11 Pro x64 [Latest Release and Release Preview]
       New #9

    The only way to have windows install on a drive and show in that OS as other than c: is to install from an existing windows install - as the c: drive is in use at the time of install Windows will install on the first available drive letter.

    The major potential problem for running a windows OS on a drive other than c: is that many applications assume that the Windows drive is C: and some do not even check so will cause issues on installation
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