Question About Reinstalling Windows

[Saar]

I have a 32GB SSD for Windows and a 1TB HDD for everything else. 32GB is not enough and the lack of storage on the SSD is making a lot of things not work. I ordered a 60GB SSD to take care of this problem. When I reinstall Windows on the new SSD, do I need to reinstall everything on the HDD as well. For example, my Steam folder is completely on the HDD. Will I need to reinstall Steam and all my games.This is my first build with a two drive setup, so it is really confusing to me.

[Sheldon_King]

@Saar

With the exception of Steam and portable apps, you will need to redownload and reinstall all of your apps with a new windows install.

 

Steam however will fire up if you navigate to your install location, for example D:/Games/Steam and find Steam.exe and doublke click it. It will then say it needs admin rights, just click okay and when prompted enter your account info, then Bingo you have all your steam games. I find however that you will need to reinstall steam unless you want to navigate to the directory each time (as long as you install to the same directory as your steamapps forder is in, you will noty have to reinstall the games though, so take that as a victory).  (((NOTE: the games will still run through first time proceedures, but it takes very little time, and will not change your games directory).

 

Origin does not operate this way. You can save the installers to a folder on your HDD though to avoid the redownload, but it you will still need to reinstall the game.

[Saar]

@Saar

With the exception of Steam and portable apps, you will need to redownload and reinstall all of your apps with a new windows install.

 

Steam however will fire up if you navigate to your install location, for example D:/Games/Steam and find Steam.exe and doublke click it. It will then say it needs admin rights, just click okay and when prompted enter your account info, then Bingo you have all your steam games. I find however that you will need to reinstall steam unless you want to navigate to the directory each time (as long as you install to the same directory as your steamapps forder is in, you will noty have to reinstall the games though, so take that as a victory).  (((NOTE: the games will still run through first time proceedures, but it takes very little time, and will not change your games directory).

 

Origin does not operate this way. You can save the installers to a folder on your HDD though to avoid the redownload, but it you will still need to reinstall the game.

Alright, so Steam should work, and for Origin I just need to save the installers and reinstall. I know that I have to reinstall drivers, because they need to go on the SSD. Also, what do you consider a portable app?

[Sheldon_King]

Alright, so Steam should work, and for Origin I just need to save the installers and reinstall. I know that I have to reinstall drivers, because they need to go on the SSD. Also, what do you consider a portable app?

Portable apps are apps that do not need to be installed to run them. Here is a list of some of them (I have no idea of the quality of this list) http://portableapps.com/apps

 

And just note, you have to have had the save installers option enabled on origin when you downloaded the game, or you no longer have the installer and must redownload the entire game.

[Saar]

Portable apps are apps that do not need to be installed to run them. Here is a list of some of them (I have no idea of the quality of this list) http://portableapps.com/apps

 

And just note, you have to have had the save installers option enabled on origin when you downloaded the game, or you no longer have the installer and must redownload the entire game.

Thanks, I get it now. Portable apps are generally very small though, so I don't have to worry about them too much.

[Sheldon_King]

Thanks, I get it now. Portable apps are generally very small though, so I don't have to worry about them too much.

Well, they are generally small because they are lacking the installer files. Basically it is the difference between carrying a switchblade (portable) or a leatherman (full install).