Setting up windows with 2 drives.

[2_Bit]

I have just put together a new gaming rig w/ windows 10 home and I am trying to set up my drives to use my faster storage efficiently. I have a 1TB SSD as a boot drive and a 4TB HDD for Mass storage.

 

What I would like to do is set up my drives so I have program files and program files(x86) folders on both of my drives. I would like programs to default to my hard drive, have the ability to store some games neatly on my boot drive, but be able to store some files from those games on my hard drive.

 

1. Do I have to change the directory to get programs to default to my HDD? What is the best way to do this, command prompt?
2. If I want to set up symbolic links to put some files(i.e. Overwatch cinematics) from games that will be stored on my SSD to my HDD what is the best way to do this?
3. What is the best way to move program files for programs I don't need to load quickly from my SSD to my HDD?       

I am not well versed In windows and have already had trouble using command prompts to change directory locations. Please bear with some of the elementary questions I will inevitably ask. Thanks.

[Lord Nicoll]

11 minutes ago, 2_Bit said:

I have just put together a new gaming rig w/ windows 10 home and I am trying to set up my drives to use my faster storage efficiently. I have a 1TB SSD as a boot drive and a 4TB HDD for Mass storage.

 

What I would like to do is set up my drives so I have program files and program files(x86) folders on both of my drives. I would like programs to default to my hard drive, have the ability to store some games neatly on my boot drive, but be able to store some files from those games on my hard drive.

 

1. Do I have to change the directory to get programs to default to my HDD? What is the best way to do this, command prompt?
2. If I want to set up symbolic links to put some files(i.e. Overwatch cinematics) from games that will be stored on my SSD to my HDD what is the best way to do this?
3. What is the best way to move program files for programs I don't need to load quickly from my SSD to my HDD?       

I am not well versed In windows and have already had trouble using command prompts to change directory locations. Please bear with some of the elementary questions I will inevitably ask. Thanks.

I don't really use windows like, Only Linux, but all I can say is to be careful and make sure you back up any important data, messing with the directory like this can break windows pretty badly. I know it can be done to mount drives as directories and such, but I never did it myself, I've never trusted windows enough to let it manage my files by itself. 

[LogicalDrm]

Sadly Windows isn't easy when it comes to setting up storage. Just changing default install path requires registry edit. I would also recommend against using symbolic links if you aren't experienced user. If at any point you need to repair windows or use restore point, those will be messed or they will mess whole thing.

 

Here's what I recommend:

1. Create folders on both drives named Program Files, Program Files (x86) and ProgramData. When you install anything, you can select drive by just changing letter. You get used to it and isn't big deal unless you are constantly installing something.
2. For Steam games you can have multiple library folders. When installing games on Steam, just select correct library from dropdown. Steam remembers last selection.
3. For Origin it isn't as easy process. You need to change download and install folders to correct ones prior to each install.
4. Save, download and other such locations you can select per software. Same goes with Windows libraries.