Optimum use of drives

[Nat9320]

I can’t find the specific post now but recently somebody was receiving advise regarding the reinstallation of Windows onto a PC with similar drives to my own which are:

Drive #1 - 512GB PCS PCIe M.2 SSD (3300 MB/R, 2200 MB/W)

Drive #2 - 2TB SOLIDIGM P44 PRO GEN 4 M.2 NVMe PCIe SSD (up to 7000MB/sR, 6500MB/sW)

Drive #3 - 8TB SEAGATE IRONWOLF PRO 3.5", 7200 RPM 256MB CACHE

The advice given was to use:
- drive #1 solely for the operating system;
- drive #2 for programmes; and
- drive #3 for “static” files such as pictures, videos and music which I totally agree with.

My query is that the adviser said that if you install your programmes onto drive #2 then it will not be necessary to reinstall them as and when you reinstall Windows but I wonder whether this is, in fact, correct. Programmes seem to install files all over the place and, for example, when I look at my Windows > Users > my name > AppData > Local directory I see folders for Adobe, Paradox Interactive, Sports Interactive and for pretty much every programme that I’ve installed.

Whilst I’ve installed my programmes on drive #1 will the same not happen if I uninstall them and the re-install them on drive #2.

I hope that is not a stupid question and would appreciate your advice.

 

[TonyCarter]

That’s an odd config you’ve got, because you’ve got a slow SSD for your OS/apps (which should be the fastest), and a fast SSD for your programmes/game installs (on which the extra speed is wasted).

Personally, I’d not trust a PCS-brand SSD for my critical OS drive.

This might be the thread you were thinking of…

Why more than one storage drive?

I've been meaning to put something like this together for a while. In recent weeks I've found myself writing this more and more so thought I would just post my thoughts in a thread that I could link to. So the reason for this thread is to try and give insight as to the reasoning behind having...

www.pcspecialist.co.uk

 

[Nat9320]

If I'd been aware of this forum before I bought the PC I'd almost certainly have chosen a different configeration!! But I have what I have.

Anyway will programmes still deposit enties in Windows > Users > my name > AppData if I uninstall them from the C: drive and reinstall them in the D: Drive?

 

[SpyderTracks]

If I'd been aware of this forum before I bought the PC I'd almost certainly have chosen a different configeration!! But I have what I have.

Anyway will programmes still deposit enties in Windows > Users > my name > AppData if I uninstall them from the C: drive and reinstall them in the D: Drive?

Yes. Used profile is always on c

Youd have to move the user profile to have that on another drive

Move User Folder to Another Drive on Windows 11 | 4 Methods

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[Nat9320]

@SpyderTracks - Many thanks for that I wasn't previously aware that was possible to move your user profile. I'll give it a go!

 

[Nat9320]

I used the Registry Editor method to move the AppData and Local AppData and this worked well but, of course, I couldn't run any programmes that were referenced in the original AppData files. I'm not going to uninstall and reinstall all my programmes so I'll wait until I next have to reinstall Windows and I'll then install everything apart from the OS on my D drive. Once again thanks to @SpyderTracks for the advice.

 

[Scott]

Not sure if there was maybe a little misunderstanding. Typically I wouldn't recommend using the second drive for programs. I would use the primary drive for both Windows & Programs. There are exceptions of course, but for typical cases this is sensible. Installing a few known programs after a refresh isn't so much a big deal. It becomes relevant when the downloads are huge such as with games nowadays.

Most of the time you will see OS & Programs referenced for the primary drive. You could also include a game or 2 but I would avoid where possible. You always want to keep inside 50% space utilisation, which with a 512GB drive should be more than enough.

 

[ubuysa]

I'm in full agreement with @Scott, and that's what I do....

Fastest SSD drive for Windows and all programs
Next fastest SSD drive for user data (documents, pictures, downloads, some games, etc. etc.)
A reliable HDD for music, videos, and archives.

 

[Nat9320]

@Scott and @ubuysa - Many thanks for your comments. With all my programmes, including games, on my C drive I’ve got just under 30% usage of that drive so I’ll carry on doing as I do at present. If I start to approach 50% I’ll move a game or two to the D drive.

 

[Nat9320]

That’s an odd config you’ve got, because you’ve got a slow SSD for your OS/apps (which should be the fastest), and a fast SSD for your programmes/game installs (on which the extra speed is wasted).

Personally, I’d not trust a PCS-brand SSD for my critical OS drive.

This might be the thread you were thinking of…

Why more than one storage drive?

I've been meaning to put something like this together for a while. In recent weeks I've found myself writing this more and more so thought I would just post my thoughts in a thread that I could link to. So the reason for this thread is to try and give insight as to the reasoning behind having...

www.pcspecialist.co.uk

Thanks For the tip. I've only had the PC since February so I don't want to do anything drastic but I'm going to buy a 1TB SOLIDIGM P44 PRO GEN 4 M.2 NVMe PCIe SSD (up to 7000MB/sR, 6500MB/sW) to repalce the 512GB PCS PCIe M.2 SSD (3300 MB/R, 2200 MB/W)