How to use external drive for programs?


  1. Posts : 8
    Windows 10
       #1

    How to use external drive for programs?


    I have been in computers since 1984. I was off any computer from about 2004 until 2010. No I was NOT in jail.

    Actually my ex left me and I ended up in a homeless shelter. I am very sick now and could kick the bucket at any moment. So I feel kinda bad asking for help, but lots has changed.

    I have of course a C drive which came with this E-Machine (I am poor lol). I bought a 2TB external hard drive and it works great. However, I am not sure about its use when it comes to using it to install games and programs to free up or keep the C drive from filling up.

    Do I have to somehow install Windows 10 on the external drive (not to boot from)? In other words make it a system disk but not replace my C drive as the boot disk? I am cornfused. I would like to send games and programs to the F external drive. Is it even possible?

    Like I said I am a bit apprehensive about asking in this forum because I should know this. Although in 2011 I lost all of my memory due to sickness (I am OLD lol) and have had a lot of CRS going on.

    Any comments/help would be appreciated.

    Thank You!

    Chuck
      My Computer


  2. Posts : 18,432
    Windows 11 Pro
       #2

    Can you install the 2TB hard drive internally? That would be what you would want to do.
      My Computer


  3. Posts : 8
    Windows 10
    Thread Starter
       #3

    NavyLCDR said:
    Can you install the 2TB hard drive internally? That would be what you would want to do.
    The case is too small. The only thing I could add was memory. No slots etc. That actually was my first thought but knew when I opened the case to put more memory in I couldn't upgrade anything else.
      My Computer


  4. Posts : 18,432
    Windows 11 Pro
       #4

    How about replacing the internal hard drive with the 2TB hard drive? But if you need to install programs to the external hard drive, you are just going to have to reinstall them and when it asks where to install to, select the drive letter of the external drive. It will be extremely slow, though, running through USB instead of a real SATA port.

    How much space do you have free on the C: drive now?
      My Computer


  5. Posts : 5,452
    Windows 11 Home
       #5

    chuck1959 said:
    However, I am not sure about its use when it comes to using it to install games and programs to free up or keep the C drive from filling up.
    I guess you are talking about store apps, since common software and games can be installed wherever you want.

    Install Windows 10 Apps to another Partition or External Drive

    Additionally you change default for common software as well, if you do not want to change it all the time.

    Change default Program Files directory in Windows 10/8/7
      My Computer


 

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