Swap default drive?

Purdy · 27 Feb 2011 at 20:22

So basically all the data from everything, like app data in the users folder keeps saving and clogging up space on my SSD.
Is there an easy way to make everything save by default to my 2tb hdd, and move the user folders over?

SiriusB · 27 Feb 2011 at 20:26

MS do not recommend moving the Program Files folder and to be honest, would it really kill you to change C:\ to D:\ or whatever your 2TB HDD is?

Bare in mind that you should keep software you use regularly on the SSD, otherwise you are wasting it.

The media folders can all be moved to different drives - just right-click one, click Properties and change its location. It will even move any data for you. Alternatively, if on Windows 7, just use the Library feature.

Purdy · 27 Feb 2011 at 20:31

Well basically the issue is that some form of AppData, a hidden file is building up in my User folder (6gig currently), and when im trying to install a mod for oblivion it won't let me due to a lack of space even though my oblivion folder is on my HDD rather than SSD.

I don't mind changing from C drive to D drive everytime i install a game or something, but the space on my ssd seems to slowly decrease even though i don't seem to be saving stuff too it. I'm quite a windows/harddrive noob so i'm not really sure what is happening tbh.

EDIT: Now moving my 'Users' folder wipes everything from my desktop, and i don't have enough space to move it back after activating an Oblivion mod 0.o.

SiriusB · 27 Feb 2011 at 20:49

Use something like windirstat to find out where the files taking up 6GB are. Then identify the software. I know some backup software likes to pack out the temp/appdata folders with crap.

Purdy · 27 Feb 2011 at 20:54

Well i did a bit of digging myself and found out the oblivion mod in the 'temp' folder is taking up 3.7gig, and it isn't budging, decreased by half its size when i closed the oblivion mod manager but isn't there a way to make all my 'User' stuff save on the other drive? or atleast temporary stuff. I can't copy and paste it over i know that.

SiriusB · 27 Feb 2011 at 21:00

Moving entire users folders can cause all sorts of issues and is usually best avoided. Much better to simply move the media folders - Music, Videos, Pictures, Documents etc.

As for the mod, I find it worrying it feels the need to junk up your appdata with almost 4GB of crap. Perhaps there is a setting you can change for that particular mod to have it put the files somewhere less retarded?

Purdy · 27 Feb 2011 at 21:12

SiriusB said:
Moving entire users folders can cause all sorts of issues and is usually best avoided. Much better to simply move the media folders - Music, Videos, Pictures, Documents etc.

As for the mod, I find it worrying it feels the need to junk up your appdata with almost 4GB of crap. Perhaps there is a setting you can change for that particular mod to have it put the files somewhere less retarded?

Alright.

Just to confirm i can't have windows on SSD, but have all that temp appdata on my HDD?
Or would that require a reinstall with making HDD /:C and SSD the second drive but with windows on it? Or is that not possible? Just i've noticed its happened with a few other things before.

SiriusB · 27 Feb 2011 at 21:15

Windows doesn't give you much in the way of customizing where system folders belong, and to be honest there is rarely much of a need to change it.

Rather than trying to butcher Windows to work around the space issue, work out what is causing the space issue in the first place and butcher that!

Purdy · 27 Feb 2011 at 21:17

SiriusB said:
Windows doesn't give you much in the way of customizing where system folders belong, and to be honest there is rarely much of a need to change it.

Rather than trying to butcher Windows to work around the space issue, work out what is causing the space issue in the first place and butcher that!

Alright found the option to change where the temp folders are saved for the mod program.
Just need to remember to do it for every program now =P

Cheers for the help.