How to split files among C: (OS) and D: (data)?


poe

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Windows 11 Home
My new desktop has a 250GB SSD for the OS and a 1TB HDD for data. Currently all files are on C:.

How should I determine which files to move to D:? Just the ProgramData folder?

And what about managing any files that new apps install - won't they default to C: when I really want them to be on D:?

21H2 build 22000.483
 

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Default download location can be changed in settings or change in browser settings
Do not move ProgramData, that should always be on the same drive as Windows
C Drive should be OS, AV and any programs that will only install on C, programs and apps I put on D, there is normally an advanced option during install to select destination.
You can use partitions if needed
 

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The only thing I put on a second drive is the actual data folders. Documents, pictures etc.
There is a proper way to do that.
Is this computer going to be used for gaming? Steam and things like that?
 

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I agree with the others and I think Perthos' question about gaming is very insightful.
- Gaming installations can be big so you'd need to consider whether to install them on your large disk.
- If you don't use gaming then you will probably install Windows & all your applications on your OS drive yet still never even use up half of it.

As for your own files, they are saved by default in subfolders of C:\Users\YourUserName but you can tell applications where to save them [even without changing any particular Windows settings]. Once you have saved them to a particular folder on your data drive, the application used will generally offer that folder the next time you save a new file. Similarly, once you've gone to a particular folder to open a file that's where Open will generally offer you when you next use it.

Don't be misled by the folder ProgramData. It does not contain your own files. It should really be called something like ProgramSettingsThatYouMereMortalsShouldNeverTamperWith. You'll hardly ever have any reason even to look in it.

All the best,
Denis
 

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Please continue with:
a) problems anticipated during Windows updates / software updates / uninstalling software
a) backup data methods for each drive when they fail at different or same time
b) restoring data for each drive when they fail a different or same time
c) which programs / users issues are typically encountered
etc.
 

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  • OS
    Windows 10
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    HP
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    Intel(R) Core(TM) i7-4800MQ CPU @ 2.70GHz
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    Product : 190A Version : KBC Version 94.56
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    16 GB Total: Manufacturer : Samsung MemoryType : DDR3 FormFactor : SODIMM Capacity : 8GB Speed : 1600
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    NVIDIA Quadro K3100M; Intel(R) HD Graphics 4600
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    IDT High Definition Audio CODEC; PNP Device ID HDAUDIO\FUNC_01&VEN_111D&DEV_76E0
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    Model Hitachi HTS727575A9E364
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    Microsoft Defender
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    Mobile Workstation
Buy 128gb SSD for Windows, 250gb for games, 1TB - archive.
 

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    Microsoft Windows 11 Home
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    MSI MS-7D98
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    WD_BLACK SN770 250GB
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    Thermaltake Toughpower GF3 1000W
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    CG560 - DeepCool
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    https://www.userbenchmark.com/UserRun/66553205
Is this computer going to be used for gaming?

I do not do any gaming.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11 Home
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    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Dell XPS 8940
    CPU
    i7 11700
    Memory
    16 GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1650
    Hard Drives
    256 GB SSD
    1 TB HDD
I do not do any gaming.
Then keep the OS on C:\ and install your applications on C:\. Save your own files on D:\.

As mentioned in post #4, you do not have to change anything. Your applications will learn that you use particular folder locations for Open & SaveAs.
- You can choose particular default Open/Save folders in some applications
- You can "relocate" your user folders [such as C:\Users\%UserName%\Documents] to folders on the D: drive [such as D:\Docs] if you want but it's not necessary. There's guidance in Moving user library folders to different drive - NavyLCdr - ElevenForum
The Windows 10 procedure for this remains valid in Windows 11.​
In its list of Related tutorials at the end, you'll find corresponding guides for relocating many other user folders.​

All the best,
Denis
 

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    Windows 11 Home x64 Version 23H2 Build 22631.3296
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As for storing your personal files, a lot also depends on how you use them (i.e., what programs/apps do you have that are using the files, how exactly do you use these programs/apps and what changes do you expect to frequently occur in your workflow that could have an impact on that, how do you plan these changes, or, what's the relationship between the files and the various factors that determine your workflow as a whole). The hardest part is finding the right balance between controlling the combined size of the data (to manage the available free space on each separate data volume) and considering performance optimization tactics to form a robust strategy that satisfies your need. Where are the real bottlenecks? What are the ones that are holding you back most? Those are the only questions that should factually matter.

Also keep in mind that moving lots of data back and forth can tend to be cumbersome at times when you don't have time to wait until all the copying is done. For merely copying/moving of numerous files, especially if the total size of the files in question is large, I recommend to use this free tool:
Some will recommend Robocopy and looking at exit codes to determine if something went wrong so that it will then be possible to run the same copying task again with the /L parameter after an error was found. But, FastCopy creates log files so you can see the results quicker instead of having to wait for the whole command to finish (and properly supports special characters in the filenames and the foldernames that appear in the logs...), and, I also like the flexible ability to use (and re-use) MD5 hash codes for file verification. Both Robocopy and FastCopy are suitable for scripting purposes so that you can automate some of your workload when necessary, if you have basic skills and knowledge about scripting.
 

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    Medion S15450
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    i5 1135G7
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    2TB SSD internal
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I move all my personal folders from my profile to the D:\MyData folder. I don't like keeping my personal files mixed in with the OS drive.

1645516192721.png

Then I back up the OS drive as it's own backup and D:\MyData as it's own backup.
 

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  • OS
    Windows 10
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    PC/Desktop
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    MSI Custom build
    CPU
    Intel i9-9900K
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    MSI MPG Z390 Gaming Edge AC
    Memory
    64GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    EVGA GeForce GTX 1070 TI
    Internet Speed
    1 Gbps
    Browser
    Firefox
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    Malwarebytes
My new desktop has a 250GB SSD for the OS and a 1TB HDD for data. Currently all files are on C:.

How should I determine which files to move to D:? Just the ProgramData folder?

And what about managing any files that new apps install - won't they default to C: when I really want them to be on D:?

21H2 build 22000.483
Others have pretty much answered your question. Your setup is pretty much identical to how my laptop used to be, until I upgraded the SSD to a 1 TB disk. I'll just tell you how I configured mine:

1. Create 2 partitions on your SSD (you can create more if you want). For my requirement, 60 GB for the OS partition was sufficient and I always had over 25% free. If you have large programs, then you can increase the size of the OS partition. In my experience, 120 GB for the OS and programs should be sufficient for most users, especially those who do not game on the PC.

2. Leave the other partition for some other use. If need be, you can set it up to mirror your OS partition once a week or so, so that in case of a problem, you'll be able to restore the system.

3. Map all your default libraries (Documents, Music, Pictures, Videos, etc) to folders with identical names on the HDD. To do this, right click on each library, go to Properties and change the location of the destination to the corresponding folder on your HDD.

I would leave all programs and their data on the same partition as the OS.

Don't forget to take regular backups of both your system partition as well as your files.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    HP Envy dv7
    CPU
    Intel Core i7 3630QM
    Motherboard
    HP
    Memory
    16 GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel HD Graphics 4000 & Nvidia GeForce GT 635M
    Sound Card
    IDT High Definition
    Screen Resolution
    1080p
    Hard Drives
    1 TB Crucial MX500 on bay 1.
    1 TB Seagate HDD on bay 2.
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender
Be careful. The performance of an SSD drops rapidly as the disk fills according to Samsung. A new clean install took up 50GB the other day without really installing much. Best to have a lot more free space available to the OS as Microsoft has huge updates all the time.
 

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    Windows 10
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    MSI Custom build
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    Intel i9-9900K
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    MSI MPG Z390 Gaming Edge AC
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    64GB
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HDMI addressed
How should I determine which files to move to D:?
If all I had to move my files had been Robocopy, my answer would have been to move as few files as possible and as infrequently as possible because the logs are nondescript and running it once more with /L to deal with errors is the culmination of pain. Ergo, the actual tool itself plays a role in how I determine which files to move, and when to move them versus not. Of course there will always be those who don't like to have more flexible options and speed, and who don't base their opinions on what technically is possible, on what are the drawbacks and on how much added effort it takes to work around risks/problems/both.
How should I ... move to D:?
One of the first steps in logical analysis is to assess what might also be needed (or feasible) to accomplish the various goals that are possible to be envisioned. There can tend to be multifactorial dependencies like, e.g., how much data will need to be stored and how much available free space do you currently have on the SSD or how much space do you want more.
If you want guidance on that topic then please say so; I'm reluctant to go into detail without knowing if it's wanted or not.
I, too, am reluctant to go into finer detail without knowing at least half of what the actual plan might look like.
 

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  • OS
    11 Home
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Asus TUF Gaming (2024)
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    i7 13650HX
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    16GB DDR5
    Graphics Card(s)
    GeForce RTX 4060 Mobile
    Sound Card
    Eastern Electric MiniMax DAC Supreme; Emotiva UMC-200; Astell & Kern AK240
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    Sony Bravia XR-55X90J
    Screen Resolution
    3840×2160
    Hard Drives
    512GB SSD internal
    37TB external
    PSU
    Li-ion
    Cooling
    2× Arc Flow Fans, 4× exhaust vents, 5× heatpipes
    Keyboard
    Logitech K800
    Mouse
    Logitech G402
    Internet Speed
    20Mbit/s up, 250Mbit/s down
    Browser
    FF
  • Operating System
    11 Home
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Medion S15450
    CPU
    i5 1135G7
    Memory
    16GB DDR4
    Graphics card(s)
    Intel Iris Xe
    Sound Card
    Eastern Electric MiniMax DAC Supreme; Emotiva UMC-200; Astell & Kern AK240
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Sony Bravia XR-55X90J
    Screen Resolution
    3840×2160
    Hard Drives
    2TB SSD internal
    37TB external
    PSU
    Li-ion
    Mouse
    Logitech G402
    Keyboard
    Logitech K800
    Internet Speed
    20Mbit/s up, 250Mbit/s down
    Browser
    FF
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the logs are nondescript and running it once more with /L to deal with errors is the culmination of pain
And I wouldn't do that either.
I mentioned it in one thread in response to a specific request for information but I'd never dream of using it as the basis for a decision within a script.

Denis
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11 Home x64 Version 23H2 Build 22631.3296
Hi,
Only issue is games so don't overly complicate moving your user folder onto a different drive.
Just install games on the larger disk.
 

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  • OS
    Win-7-10-11Pro's
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Acer 17" Nitro 7840sn/ 2x16gb 5600c40/ 4060/ stock 1tb-os/ 4tb sn850x
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    10900k & 9940x & 5930k
    Motherboard
    z490-Apex & x299-Apex & x99-Sabertooth
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    Trident-Z Royal 4000c16 2x16gb & Trident-Z 3600c16 4x8gb & 3200c14 4x8gb
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    Titan Xp & 1080ti FTW3 & evga 980ti gaming
    Sound Card
    Onboard Realtek x3
    Monitor(s) Displays
    1-AOC G2460PG 24"G-Sync 144Hz/ 2nd 1-ASUS VG248QE 24"/ 3rd LG 43" series
    Screen Resolution
    1920-1080 not sure what the t.v is besides 43" class scales from 1920-1080 perfectly
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    2-WD-sn850x 4tb/ 970evo+500gb/ 980 pro 2tb.
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    1000p2 & 1200p2 & 850p2
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    D450 x2 & 1 Test bench in cherry Entertainment center
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    Custom water loops x3 with 2x mora 360mm rads only 980ti gaming air cooled
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    G710+x3
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    Redragon x3
    Internet Speed
    xfinity gigabyte
    Browser
    Firefox
    Antivirus
    mbam pro
To add, many programs will offer a Custom install but will also look for certain folders in a default location, moving them out of Users can complicate things.
 

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System One System Two

  • OS
    Win11 Pro RTM
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Vostro 3400
    CPU
    Intel Core i5 11th Gen. 2.40GHz
    Memory
    12GB
    Hard Drives
    256GB SSD NVMe
  • Operating System
    Windows 11 Pro RTM x64
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Vostro 5890
    CPU
    Intel Core i5 10th Gen. 2.90GHz
    Memory
    16GB
    Graphics card(s)
    Onboard, no VGA, using a DisplayPort-to-VGA adapter
    Monitor(s) Displays
    24" Dell
    Hard Drives
    512GB SSD NVMe, 2TB WDC HDD
    Browser
    Firefox, Edge
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender/Microsoft Security
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To add, many programs will offer a Custom install but will also look for certain folders in a default location, moving them out of Users can complicate things.
Yes, that's why the libraries should be remapped, and not moved.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    HP Envy dv7
    CPU
    Intel Core i7 3630QM
    Motherboard
    HP
    Memory
    16 GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel HD Graphics 4000 & Nvidia GeForce GT 635M
    Sound Card
    IDT High Definition
    Screen Resolution
    1080p
    Hard Drives
    1 TB Crucial MX500 on bay 1.
    1 TB Seagate HDD on bay 2.
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender
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