[Question] SSD + HDD Setup?

[AnonGuyy]

Hello again.  I just got my new computer built and this is my first time having two drives and an SSD.  I have a 120GB SSD an a 2TB HDD.

 

My question is how would I make my computer boot from and have the OS be on the SSD, but basically act as if everything was running off the HDD?  Aka having the Downloads, My Music, My Documents, etc. be defaulted and all be stored on the HDD as if that's where the OS were installed?

 

That probably sounds ridiculous and maybe isn't possible, but hey..  That's why I'm asking!  

[Godlygamer23]

I just create folders on the HDD and redirect the programs to those folders.

[ImBleu]

What I did was just put the SSD in first and installed windows on that. Then shut it down, added the HDD and restarted it. You can go into the BIOS and select the boot disk too (Generally the options of the hard drives, Optical drives, USBs etc for example).

[Guest Philosophy]

I set my documents, pictures, videos, music and programs folders to download to a folder on the HDD. 

[EmeraldFlame]

Hello again.  I just got my new computer built and this is my first time having two drives and an SSD.  I have a 120GB SSD an a 2TB HDD.

 

My question is how would I make my computer boot from and have the OS be on the SSD, but basically act as if everything was running off the HDD?  Aka having the Downloads, My Music, My Documents, etc. be defaulted and all be stored on the HDD as if that's where the OS were installed?

 

That probably sounds ridiculous and maybe isn't possible, but hey..  That's why I'm asking!  

 

If you just have 1 user and want to move those folders to the hard drive, then right click them and then hit properties. Go to the location tab, then hit move. That is your best bet.

If you have multiple users, and you want to move the entire Windows 'User' folder you can find instructions to do that here. Keep in mind that this second option has some side effects, you probably wont be able to upgrade your OS (say like from 8.0 to 8.1 or from 8.1 to 10 when it comes out) and Microsoft does not particularly support this method. It's not something I suggest to use, but it is there and it is an option.

[Mighty_Miro_WD]

Hi there @AnonGuyy!

 

Redirecting the installation doesn't sound impossible, don't worry.  

 

I personally do it manually because in most cases during install there's an option to redirect the default path to your HDD. Also, make sure your newly installed programs use the HDD as the default store for data (normally done via a something like the options menu within the program).

 

The download path can be changed via the use of the 'Save As' option just before you commit to a download (e.g. right-click then save target as). Alternatively, the download interface may offer you this choice.

 

The main thing is to pay attention to each step of a program install - they're all pretty much the same and you'll soon get the hang of it. Also I wouldn't advise you to move your USERS folder to a different drive. It's a lot of hassle and not worth it. 

 

Hope this helps.

 

Cheers!