Managing the C: drive when its an SSD

[eric335]

Hello,

I recently completed my build (in signature) and have been blessed with the powers of a Crucial M4 SSD. I will be picking up a second one as soon as i can, because these things are freaking amazing

The only problem, obviously, is their size.

Currently on my SSD:
-Win 7 Pro OS
-GW2
-drivers for a ton of things like Wifi/USB3.0/2.0/ NVIDIA / etc
-a few programs like 7ZIP/CCleaner/etc.

While i wanted the OS, GW2, and the drivers to be installed on the C: drive, im having a hard time keeping other stuff (like CCleaner and other random programs) off of it. Is there a way to change the default install path for windows to my F: drive (2TB Hitachi 7200-RPM) instead of the SSD? The only program i have that i could change the install path was Steam.

Thanks
Eric

 

[grambo]

The standard Windows installers will almost always ask for installation path (sometimes you have to select "Custom" during the install process). Most random programs/utilities are pretty small, but I like having them all on my SSD for faster loading/multitasking. Just make sure you don't have temporary downloads buildings up (large amount of graphics drivers at 150MB each for example).

 

[hotcrandel]

I can't hardly think of any programs that don't let you change the path upon installation...

You might have to uninstall and reinstall them but you can move them to your hdd.

Consider shrinking your page file (by default the same size as RAM and doesn't necesarrily have to be) and eliminating the hibernation file (also the size of your ram)

You can nix the hibernation file by using a run-as-administrator command prompt and type

powercfg -h off

You can also migrate stuff like your docs, music/mp3 or video library by right clicking on the folder (my documents for example) and the "Location" tab.

 

[eric335]

The standard Windows installers will almost always ask for installation path (sometimes you have to select "Custom" during the install process). Most random programs/utilities are pretty small, but I like having them all on my SSD for faster loading/multitasking. Just make sure you don't have temporary downloads buildings up (large amount of graphics drivers at 150MB each for example).

ah, thanks, almost forgot about those GPU drivers...

i should install all the drivers to the SSD right? just make sure to get rid of old ones when i update?

i guess i needa take a look around whats been installled in my C: and figure out how to slim it down. i only have 63gb left out of a 128gb advertised (113 actual, i believe) after installing the OS, GW2, drivers, and a random program. is that about normal?


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[eric335]

I can't hardly think of any programs that don't let you change the path upon installation...

You might have to uninstall and reinstall them but you can move them to your hdd.

Consider shrinking your page file (by default the same size as RAM and doesn't necesarrily have to be) and eliminating the hibernation file (also the size of your ram)

You can nix the hibernation file by using a run-as-administrator command prompt and type

powercfg -h off

You can also migrate stuff like your docs, music/mp3 or video library by right clicking on the folder (my documents for example) and the "Location" tab.

will do,, thanks.

what kind of programs would be better off on the HDD? would older games such as L4D2 be fine if run off the HDD?


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[Forceman]

You can use WinDirStat to quickly and easily see what is taking up the space on the SSD.

 

[eric335]

You can use WinDirStat to quickly and easily see what is taking up the space on the SSD.

Thats the program i was thinking of, thanks a ton! Its helped out already!


EDIT:

Using WinDirStat, i located the following files that are taking up a ton of room:

Files 48.8% of used up space
pagefile.sys 16GB
hiberfil.sys 12 GB

ProgramFiles (x86) 25.5% of used up space
gw2 14GB ( which is to be expected, this is staying)

Windows 22.7% of used up space
winsxs folder, which houses 6.5GB of random folders and info

Program Files
786 MB, so barely anything
and the rest is very very low.

 

[eric335]

Consider shrinking your page file (by default the same size as RAM and doesn't necesarrily have to be) and eliminating the hibernation file (also the size of your ram)

You can nix the hibernation file by using a run-as-administrator command prompt and type

powercfg -h off

You can also migrate stuff like your docs, music/mp3 or video library by right clicking on the folder (my documents for example) and the "Location" tab.

Having looked at what these files are, what is the result of shrinking the page file, and eliminating hibernation file? Besides more space of course


Having looked at this website, would it be better for me to move it to the 2TB HDD where it has plenty of room? I mean, my computer has 16GB of memory installed, and if it needed more than that (idk how it could) id prefer it just be slow from the HDD.


EDIT: Went ahead and moved the virtual memory to my HDD. Ill never even get close to 1TB of my own stuff, so its the perfect place for a large file i dont really need.

 

[baldrik]

Steam Mover. Install Steam on the HDD. Find whatever current game you're playing and transfer it to the SSD via Steam Mover. When you get tired of that game, move it back to the SSD.

It's the handiest damned thing ever.

 

[eric335]

Steam Mover. Install Steam on the HDD. Find whatever current game you're playing and transfer it to the SSD via Steam Mover. When you get tired of that game, move it back to the HDD.

It's the handiest damned thing ever.

Fixed
Hmm ill have to take a look at this, very good idea.

 

[eric335]

UPDATE:

Went ahead and moved my pagefile (or virtual memory) to my HDD. Also, i deleted my hibernation file using:

powercfg -h off

in a CMD.

That freed up 20+ GB of an SSD, so im happy

If anyone is wondering what these files do, heres some helpful links that explain what they do, and how to re/move them:

pagefile.sys

hiberfil.sys

 

[trick0502]

i would keep the page file on the ssd. just set it to 1 or 2gb. with 16gb of ram that will be fine. putting it on a hhd could (if your system hits it) slow your system down.

also, turn off system restore, if no one said that already.

 

[eric335]

i would keep the page file on the ssd. just set it to 1 or 2gb. with 16gb of ram that will be fine. putting it on a hhd could (if your system hits it) slow your system down.

also, turn off system restore, if no one said that already.

It will only slow down my system while using that +16GB RAM though, correct? Not permanently? Will it only b slow while its using that virtual memory.

Even then, how often could i possibly hit +16GB of RAM? The most intensive activity i do are games and DreamWeaver. What do you think, keep it on the HDD? Maybe