I have a new computer with 256GB SSD C: drive and 2TB HDD D: drive. Is it feasible/practical to keep just Windows 10 on the C: drive and load all other apps on the D: drive along with all data? I back both drives up with Acronis True Image 2017 it would seem less of a crisis if the C: drive happened to fail.
This rather defeats the point of having an ssd if you install programs on an hdd.
You have Acronis so you can easily back up ssd to hdd. As hdd is only a data drive, not much point in using Acronis really to back that drive. I just use File Explorer but of course Acronis does compress data.
However, if backup image corrupts, you lose the lot. If you just copy using File Explorer, you have a much lower risk of data loss.
For me, it worked best to have Windows and all other programs on "c drive" [shorthand for my OS partition] and all my data folders and files on "d drive" [shorthand for my data partition]. I have Macrium Reflect and Image for Windows to make full images of both partitions onto each of the two dedicated external HDs for such backups. While I have not yet had an image go bad, I have had an external HD develop a logical read error, forcing a format.
As all but the simplest of programs - and all if you include shortcuts where the start menu resides on C: - have files, registry entries and possibly drivers in various folders on C:, there is really not too much justification for installing most programs on a separate drive from your OS drive.
Splitting programs across two physical drives means you have to take great care to synchronise your system image and your disk image of the other drive, if you create images like that.
Possible reasons for installing a program on a separate physical drive might include the files comprising the program that will reside on the second drive being exceptionally large- think games e.g. This could be relevant where the OS is on a smaller SSD, for example.
I have a 256Gb SSD, and a LOT of programs installed on it. I also have some 160Gb free.
The BEST approach is to make sure your personal data is NOT on your OS drive (or at least not on your OS partition). That can include as appropriate working folders and data folders programs use, which they place by default on C:
Last edited by dalchina; 27 Jan 2017 at 15:00.
Thanks so much cereberus and Roland JS for your thoughts. I have also had failed C: drive with data included and had problems with external backup drives. I was using Macrium with mixed results so I bit the bullet and went with Acronis. At this point I think I'll leave OS and all other apps on C: drive and leave just data on D:. In addition, I will create a separate partition on D: drive and backup C: there as well as on an external. Much appreciate the input from both of you.
Thanks, dalchina, for your input as well. I had not thought about having to sync the two backups so I'm even more convinced to go with the above mentioned plan.
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