Configuring HDD and SSD after programs have been installed

[csimpson]

Here's what I have:

Custom Build
1 TB HDD
250 GB SSD

My intention was to install the OS on the SSD (which I did) and manually install all of my future downloads, programs, etc. onto my HDD. However, some programs don't let me manually install each component. Quite often, most of the program gets installed my SSD without my permission and I can't simply copy&paste the file into my HDD. I assume this happens because the drive letter for my SSD is 'C.' (I wasn't able to change it in Disk Management)

Now my SSD is almost full and I have many more programs I need to install. Is there a way I can get my computer to start automatically installing EVERYTHING onto my HDD without having to delete any of the programs I already have on my SSD drive? I have a lot of 'precious' software that I've paid for and spent hours installing. I'd hate to lose it. I want everything to stay where it is, but I want future downloads/installs to go to my HDD.

Any ideas would be VERY appreciated

Thank You!!!

 

[bulletng]

From my experience there is no way to set a default location to install applications because that's most likely coded within the executable itself. I have a similar setup as yours with my OS on my SSD and programs on other HDD's. I've never had any issues changing the installation location. You just have to be careful when installing application to make sure to do 'Custom Install' to change the directory it's installing to. I usually just change the C:\ to a F:\ (or whatever drive I want it installed to) so that it keeps the same file structure.

Most programs you won't be able to copy & paste to other directories because there are always registry keys that look in the original file directory. Also you won't see those programs listed in Program Features anymore.

Most applications will ask you something like this:

And they usually let you know what the program is going to install before you click Install and I suggest keeping and eye out for this:

Which also include the 'Change' button!

 

[gregrocker]

It defeats the purpose of SSD increasing speed to install the programs to a mere HDD. You should have asked us here first.

I would put all of my most used programs on the SSD, then only if you run out of space uninstall and reinstall the others to the HDD.

If space runs out I'd first move the User folders to the HD, either using User Folders - Change Default Location, or by copying them to the HDD to add to the related Library - Include a Folder - Windows 7 Forums - if you need to use Win7 backup imaging which will deem the HD a System drive for inclusion in system image otherwise.

You should be able to fit everything comfortably on that large an SSD. Post back a screenshot of WinDirStat drive map showing all of the folders open so we can see what's hogging space.
http://www.sevenforums.com/backup-r...re-your-files-cloud-skydrive.html#post2269172

 

[whs]

How on earth did you manage to fill up a 256GB SSD with programs. I have many programs installed on a 60GB SSD and still have 27GB of free space. I think it is time to cleanup your SSD. But all my user files are on the HDD.

For starters, tell us how much RAM you have. There may be a lot of unnecessary space taken by the hiberfile and the pagefile.

 

[Mark Phelps]

What you may not know is that when apps are being installed, they don't actually look for "C:". So, even if you forced some other partition to be "C:" (which probably would not work, anyway), that wouldn't change where the apps got installed.

And, as mentioned, there is no way to force EVERYTHING to go to another partition.

You must have a lot of data files on the SSD in order to fill it up. I run Win7 and Win8 on an SSD of the same size, have a LOT of stuff installed in Win7, nearly as much in Win8, and still have over half of the SSD unused.