Just installed Windows on new SSD, format HDD?

chivs688

chivs688

chivs688

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So I've just installed Windows onto my new SSD, and am looking to have it as pretty much purely for Windows, plus the odd program.

When I was installing it, I just completely disconnected my old HDD so that it wouldn't interfere or anything.

I now want to use my old HDD to store everything else, all my programs and files etc.

So to do this, do I plug the HDD back in, make sure I'm booting into the SSD Windows, then just right click on the HDD under Computer and click Format.. ?
 
Pretty much, assuming you already have all your files backed up. Might be best to go into disk management though to delete the 100mb partition on the HDD, as you don't need that anymore.
 
Then if you want everything wiped, go into disk management first, and you should see two partitions on it, the 100mb partition where the boot files for the old Windows install was stored, and the main paritition where everything else is on. Delete both, then create a new partition. After that your drive should be ready to use.
 
Just one question now though, right now the HDD is completely empty with not a single file or folder in it.

Seeing as I want it to essentially be the exact same as before just with Windows on the SSD instead, how do I get the /Program Files/, /Program Files (x86)/, /User/... folders that I'll be installing programs to and storing all my files in on there?

Do I have to just make them myself? If so, how do I make them the default folders like they were before, and not have everything default to going onto the SSD?
 
You will need to make the folders yourself.

For documents, music, pictures, videos, downloads, open up Explorer, then on the left menu under library, expand "Documents", then right click "My Documents". Click properties and then go to the location tab. You can then change the location to the new folder on your HDD. Do this for music, video, downloads, etc as well.

For programs, you will need to manually select the installation location during the installation period of the software you're installing, assuming it allows you to change the install location.
 
Just did the location thing for all the /User/ folders like you said as I've been following this guide while setting everything up, which said the exact same process.

Just found this regarding the Programs. The second answer seems to be the most detailed one. Does that seem correct?

And presumably I'll still need to create the "/Program Files/" folder myself before doing it so that it'll have an actual location to set to?

Also, do I need to make two Programs folders, one being "Program Files" and the other being "Program Files (x86), just like it is currently on the SSD and is normally ?
 
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Pretty much, but I wanted some programs on the SSD so I didn't bother with the registry edit. When you're installing anyway it lets you choose where to install.
 
True, but I think I'd rather them default to the HDD and then have the option to change the odd one to the SSD if I want.

Thanks for the help :)
 
Final question, regarding creating the "Program Files" folder on the HDD, do I need to create both a "Program Files" and "Program Files (x86)" folder for installations, like it is normally?
Or does it not matter what the name is?

Just wondering as I noticed before on just the HDD most of the time programs would install to the "Program Files (x86)" folder but then there would be some in the "Program Files" one too? Just wondering if it matters at all or not..?
 
Doesn't really matter. Only difference between the two is the one with "X86" is the 32-bit programs, while the one without it is the 64-bit programs. I got lazy and mushed the two together.
 
Ah ok. Well I have Windows 7 64bit.

So I'm fine with just making D:\Program Files\ and setting everything to install to there? No need for the (x86) bit even though that's where pretty much everything is usually installed to? (Actually think I kind of want the (x86) bit there, I hate change :P )
 
You may have 64-bit Windows but not all programs is 64-bit :p (such as Firefox/Chrome, they're still 32-bit).

Yes, that will be fine.
 
Yeah I understand, was just wondering whether maybe a 64-bit program had to be installed into strictly "Program Files" and not "Program Files (x86) for a certain reason.
 
So I've just encountered a potential issue, but might be okay.

After changing the registry defaults to the D:\Program Files\ folder, the shortcuts and links to the programs I have installed on the SSD C: don't work.

They look for the program in the D: drive instead of C: where the program actually is, and I have to manually change the Target back from D: to C: under the shortcut's Properties in order for it to start the program up.

Now I don't mind doing this for the odd program when I come across it, but my only concern is for all the drivers I installed on the SSD, like the motherboard drivers, graphics card drivers, etc, plus the few programs Windows and the motherboard CD installed.

Could there potentially be a problem with these not working or not updating correctly due to the system looking for them in D: when they're actually in C:? Or is it only an issue with shortcuts (that I can just manually change if I come across the issue on a program I use)?
 
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