Solved setting default install with 7 on SSD

[miztrniceguy]

I have 7 Pro on a 128 GB SSD. Is there a way to set Windows to automatically install everything to my 500 GB D: drive instead of C: ? It won't take long. Many programs don't let you change the install location.

 

[TwoCables]

I haven't had one program that doesn't offer the ability to change the installation path during the setup of the installation.

Doing what you're talking about is risky. Some things need to be installed to the OS drive. So instead, I recommend this: whenever you install something (except for drivers!), look for the Custom install option, or the Advanced one. Just don't let it do the "Typical", or "Express" or "Recommended" installation because then you might not be able to change the path.

 

[strollin]

Yup. Always use the custom install option and change the location to the D: drive. I replicated the Program Files and Program Files (x86) directories on my D: drive so it's usually only necessary to change the drive letter.

 

[Britton30]

You may do it but you lose the speed gained by having the SSD.

 

[TwoCables]

Yup. Always use the custom install option and change the location to the D: drive. I replicated the Program Files and Program Files (x86) directories on my D: drive so it's usually only necessary to change the drive letter.

and the folder names don't even have to be "Program Files". You could have funny names if you wanted and it would still work.

 

[AddRAM]

I`m at the point now where I have 26 GBs left on my ssd, so I`m thinking of uninstalling all the rarely used programs like CPU-z, Office, PowerIso etc. and installing them on a partition on 1 of my other drives and see how it works out.

But keeping my games on the ssd.

I know the games are taking up most of the space, but just gonna keep em on the ssd.

I`m gonna put 1 game on the spinner and see how it plays for comparison.

 

[TwoCables]

26 GB is still a large amount of space. I wouldn't do anything unless you're gradually losing like a gigabyte per week or per month or something.

 

[gregrocker]

It defeats the purpose of having the increased SSD speed to install the programs to a spinner.

I'd install OS, programs, paging and Hibernation file to SSD. I would not give up Hibernate to save SSD space, but paging can be fixed at 2gb if you have adequate RAM . Virtual Memory Paging File - Change

If there's room start with your User folders on SSD.

Then when necessary move your active User folders to the HDD: User Folders - Change Default Location.

If you prefer Win7 backup imaging then instead of moving the User folders, copy them to the HD and link to the related Library - Include a Folder setting the HD as the default Save location for each.

Keep the empty C User folder in Library so you can see if anything lands there and easily drag it to D.

 

[AddRAM]

Ya, the programs really don`t take up much at all, just the games......

And all the windows updates, malwarebytes and MSE definitions LOL :shock:

 

[strollin]

Yup. Always use the custom install option and change the location to the D: drive. I replicated the Program Files and Program Files (x86) directories on my D: drive so it's usually only necessary to change the drive letter.

and the folder names don't even have to be "Program Files". You could have funny names if you wanted and it would still work.

It would still work but you would need remember to change the install folder name each time because the default is to use "Program Files".

The OS and often used programs I install on the ssd, lesser used programs and data go on the spinner.

 

[TwoCables]

miztrniceguy: if you want to disable Hibernation (which I recommend doing in order to save on drive space), then I can show you how. Of course, the only requirement is that you have to know that you'll never use it. Although, it can be re-enabled very easily. Disabling and re-enabling takes just about 5-10 seconds of your time.

Yup. Always use the custom install option and change the location to the D: drive. I replicated the Program Files and Program Files (x86) directories on my D: drive so it's usually only necessary to change the drive letter.

and the folder names don't even have to be "Program Files". You could have funny names if you wanted and it would still work.

It would still work but you would need remember to change the install folder name each time because the default is to use "Program Files".

The OS and often used programs I install on the ssd, lesser used programs and data go on the spinner.

I know, but I have found that most people think that the name cant be changed.

 

[gregrocker]

There is no reason to disable Hibernate unless you can't afford a large enough SSD to contain it, the OS and Programs. But I would get the larger SSD in order to run the modern Hibernate feature which is perfected in Win7.

It is so much easier to be able to walk away from the PC with your work out, then if you decide not to come back have it write your work to the HD and shut down. It starts up much faster, too, with all of your work where you left it.

Think of it as a deeper sleep, more of a Shut Down but saving your work and starting twice as fast.

 

[TwoCables]

There is no reason to disable Hibernate unless you can't afford a large enough SSD to contain it, the OS and Programs. But I would get the larger SSD in order to run the modern Hibernate feature which is perfected in Win7.

One good reason is, if you never use it and you know you'll never use it. With 16 GB of memory, it would consume about 16 GB of space and that would be an unnecessary consumption of space if he tells us that he never uses it nor will he ever use it. So, I'm offering to show him how to disable it, but I won't post the instructions unless they're requested.

So it's not like I don't understand how it works or why it can be useful, but many people don't use it nor do they care to use it (for varying reasons). Of course, I do know that there are people who depend on it - even for a desktop system. Personally, I never use it, and I don't even use Sleep. I just turn my computer off when I'm going to be away from it for maybe an hour or more.

 

[gregrocker]

When we advise consumers to disable Hibernate on an SSD it tends to discount the value of this feature which has been disfavored in the past but which is perfected in Win7. Many may take it that we are advising them to not even consider using it. They need to know their options, and what the feature offers. I like it so am happy to provide this service.

 

[TwoCables]

When we advise consumers to disable Hibernate on an SSD it tends to discount the value of this feature which has been disfavored in the past but which is perfected in Win7. Many may take it that we are advising them to not even consider using it. They need to know their options, and what the feature offers. I like it so am happy to provide this service.

Yeah, well, that's why I am telling him that if he doesn't use it and if he knows he'll never use it, then I can show him how to disable it so that he can avoid having 16 GB of space consumed for no good reason. Like I told him, all he has to do is ask me for the instructions (even though it's really just one step).

I'm not stupid, Greg. lol I'm leaving it up to him, so let's just drop it (beisdes, this is beginning to irritate me). All I'm doing is recommending that he disable it only if he never uses it and knows that he never will. Then, and only then would I recommend disabling it - especially on here. Why especially on here? Because I am fully aware that the majority of people who come here for help are just average, normal consumers.