Solved SSD & HDD Configuration

[Tmanic]

Hi
I've recently fitted a 128Gb SSD to my PC. I've re-installed Windows7 on the SSD and re-connected the old HDD. Everything is working fine but I've noticed that the space on the SSD is decreasing rapidly as I reload all my usable programs.
My question is: Can I configure this PC so that only Windows resides on the SSD and all other programs are loaded onto the HDD (which has loads of space) So is it possible to run programs currently in C:\Program Files (X86) from the HDD.

Thanks for any suggestions.
TM

 

[AddRAM]

Just change the drive letter from C to whatever letter the hard drive is using when you install the software.

 

[Tmanic]

Hi - thanks for the response but I am worried that if I load Program Files in other the C Drive - the programs won't work. I just wondered if there was a way of 'fooling' any hardware into thinking that it was talking to the C drive when in fact it was look at the say D drive.

 

[AddRAM]

Of course it will work, windows still puts the icon in the startup menu. You don`t to try tricking anything, go ahead try it out

 

[Tmanic]

Hi Addram - I will try out your suggestion. Some installers don't give you the option to select where the program will be located. For example, Spotify. Spotify.exe is located at C:\Users\tony\AppData\Roaming\Spotify\spotify.exe I cannot move this file to another drive or can I? Hey - thanks for you help. TM

 

[Sir George]

Hi Addram - I will try out your suggestion. Some installers don't give you the option to select where the program will be located. For example, Spotify. Spotify.exe is located at C:\Users\tony\AppData\Roaming\Spotify\spotify.exe I cannot move this file to another drive or can I? Hey - thanks for you help. TM

The following will change the default install directory;

1. Type “regedit” in Run dialog box and hit enter to continue.
2. Navigate to the following registry key in the Registry Editor:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion
3. Locate the value named “ProgramFilesDir” and change the default value “C:\Program Files” to your new directory path(address); ie, “D:\Program Files”
4. Close the registry editor and reboot your system to apply the change.

Good luck!

 

[Tmanic]

Hi Sir George - I'm a newbie to all this so I am a bit apprehensive about using Regedit. I have downloaded a copy of Learning to use the Windows Registry Editor in One Easy Lesson. Once I have studied this - I will have a go at your suggestion. I will let you know how I get on. Thank you. TM

 

[gregrocker]

I would not move Programs off an SSD as they benefit from the speed, whereas data files do not. So move the http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/18629-user-folders-change-default-location.html to HDD.

You can also reduce the Paging file to around 2gb if you have enough RAM to test that and save space, plus turn off the Hibernate file which will save space the size of your RAM. But Hibernate if perfected in Win7 and very useful so you may want to save that for last or even buy a new SSD to fit it all.
Virtual Memory Paging File - Change
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/819-hibernate-enable-disable.html

 

[Tmanic]

Hi - I'm afraid that this has all got too technical for me. I have fairly fast system - Pentium i7 3770K @3.5GHz, 16 GB Ram and 2TB HDD. So maybe I will just remove the SSD, re-install everything onto the HDD and refit my Crucial Adrenaline.
So Thank you all - I think its time to call it a day.

 

[gregrocker]

You were prepared to move Programs off the SSD which is not recommended, while apparently your User data is on there which isn't even needed on the SSD for speed like programs are. So i showed you how to move your User folders off to a HD to make more space, and this is your response? No questions asked, just give up?

 

[Tmanic]

Hi gregrocker - look I'm sorry if I appear to have ignored your suggestions. I just feel that you guys have all offered me advice which I need to consider and work at in my own time rather than leaving the topic open and generating more responses. As I said in an earlier response I am a newbie at this and I don't want to mess my PC up as I need to use it everyday. So once again - thank you to all responders. I was pleased to actually get some replies. TM

 

[gregrocker]

Threads are never closed and are found in Google searches by others who appreciate when we get to complete the help sought here. As you never asked any questions about the suggestions or tutorials I wanted to break the ice. If you feel up to tackling any of this in the future you can come back to this thread.

We've never had anyone mess up their PC seeking help here, in fact this is where most come including repair shops when problems need guided fixing.