Moving Data To Hdd

[bookend]

I have two storage drives on my laptop. The first, known as C is a SSD and is called Install, which I understand is the main Windows installation drive. The drive is showing as having a capacity of 356GB in Windows Explorer.

The second drive, known as D, is showing as a 1TB mechanical storage drive.

Since I've had the laptop, everything is stored on the SSD and its currently showing as having 211GB free. All my downloads, MS Office files, jpeg's etc are stored on the SSD by default and nothing goes onto the 1TB drive. The 1TB drive is empty.

I'm concerned about the SSD filling up and I'd like to change something to allow downloads etc to go to the 1TB drive instead of the SSD. I'd also like to transfer pictures etc off the SSD to the 1TB drive.

Could I have some advice please on how to change the default storage drive from one to the other? I take it there would be no problem in accessing data, pictures etc if I transferred them to the 1TB drive? How do I transfer existing files from the SSD to the HDD? I can't seem to find how to change the default storage device. My OS is Windows 8.1.

Thank you.

[Old_Geezer]

I'm unsure if one can change the default storage drive for the whole PC in one fell swoop: I expect someone will be along to say soon. But simple cut & paste operations can move your personal data files. Individual programmes/applications will probably need setting to change where they store and look for files. Probably your browser settings being a good place to start.

[bibblebub]

One can use junctions to move the folders for installed programs from one drive to another without the need to uninstall/re-install but when I've mentioned it before here and elsewhere the idea gets ignored. The OS uses junctions all the time but some are reluctant to make use of the facility. Personally I have dozens set because it is an easy way to free up loads of space on the default drive. I can provide the details of how to do it if you're interested.

[RATTER15]

When you save something, just go to "save as" and select a folder on that drive, from then on all documents pics etc of the same type will automatically save to that folder I think.

[Togo]

http://www.pcworld.com/article/2025058/answer-line-move-data-files-from-an-ssd-to-a-hard-drive.html

Have a look at this site bookend. I used it when I wanted to do the very same. Save it to your favourites as it also gives another link that is useful. The link a has graphics so is easier to understand than just giving you instructions.

[VHG]

>>>One can use junctions to move the folders for installed programs from one drive to another

Why on earth would they want to do that?

Move programs from a fast SSD to a slower hard drive.

Also they still have 211Gb free on the SSD so they are not exactly short of space.

Also programs are not the largest of files so they will not free up much space on C.

Best just to move video files and photographs if you want to.

p.s. To be fair 211GB is a HUGE amount of space. In the past I have had laptops with hard disks of only 30MB (yes MEGABYTE) in total so 211Gb is a massive amount of space.

So don't worry about the SSD filling up for a while yet.

Most people have far more hard disk space on their computers than they actually need.

[bookend]

Thank you all for your advice. I'm very grateful. In the light of what VHG says, I think I'll leave existing things as they are. I think I may be worrying unduly about all this although I'll download some photos to have a go at moving them over to the HDD just to see what happens. I don't want to compromise retrieval speed.

The SSD is indeed massive in terms of what we have nowadays. My old Tiny desktop had a 3.2GB hard drive and used floppies for backups!!

Thank you all again.

[gl556tr]

Easing pressure on your SSD when it comes to downloads can be simply done: all all that is necessary is to change a setting in your browser. Under Firefox, for instance, click on Preferences in Edit's drop-down menu; in the window that opens, "General" is already marked. You will see under "Downloads" that the first option "Save files to" is usually marked to the folder "Downloads". Clicking on the Browse button, you can then specify a location as your Default. Alternatively, you can mark "Always ask me where to save files" - and then state where to save on your HDD.