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

[crimson]

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!

 

[fseal]

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.

 

[paulpicks21]

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.

 

[pparks1]

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.

 

[TVeblen]

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.

 

[paulpicks21]

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.

 

[crimson]

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.

 

[Cyborg31]

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?

 

[TVeblen]

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.

 

[paulpicks21]

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.

 

[crimson]

The games are really the only thing I plan to install on SSD. Any other app can be installed on blank HDD. All files such as docs, movies, music, etc can be stored on an external HDD.

 

[essenbe]

I install OS and apps I use regularly on the SSD. All user folders and games get installed on a spinner. It has given me no problems. The only issue you will have with games is like paulpicks said. They will take longer to load but no issues in performance.