Install programs on 2nd partition or move programs folder, how?

[Collon]

I have XP installed on its own primary partition with just 8gig and listed
as Drive C. I then created a second partition on the same drive as Drive D.
So I have 2 partitions on just one HDD. I want to fix it so that all my
programs and documents are automatically defaulted to the second
partition--or Drive D.

How do I get everything in My Documents folder and Programs folder to be on
the second partition?

 

[Thorsten Matzner]

I have XP installed on its own primary partition with just 8gig and listed
as Drive C. I then created a second partition on the same drive as Drive D.
So I have 2 partitions on just one HDD. I want to fix it so that all my
programs and documents are automatically defaulted to the second
partition--or Drive D.

How do I get everything in My Documents folder and Programs folder to be on
the second partition?

See "How to Change the Default Location of the My Documents Folder"
(http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=310147). For the PROGRAM FILES
folder this does not work that way. I would manually install the
applications to D by choosing "Custom Setup" when you are prompted for
the way to install. You can then specify a folder of your choice.

 

[Rock]

I have XP installed on its own primary partition with just 8gig and listed
as Drive C. I then created a second partition on the same drive as Drive D.
So I have 2 partitions on just one HDD. I want to fix it so that all my
programs and documents are automatically defaulted to the second
partition--or Drive D.

How do I get everything in My Documents folder and Programs folder to be on
the second partition?

Programs need to be uninstalled from the C drive and reinstalled to the
D drive.

 

[Rock]

I have XP installed on its own primary partition with just 8gig and listed
as Drive C. I then created a second partition on the same drive as Drive D.
So I have 2 partitions on just one HDD. I want to fix it so that all my
programs and documents are automatically defaulted to the second
partition--or Drive D.

How do I get everything in My Documents folder and Programs folder to be on
the second partition?

Collon you might just want to expand the C drive, keep programs and
windows on that and direct all data files, My Documents and such to the
D drive.

 

[Ken Blake, MVP]

Programs need to be uninstalled from the C drive and reinstalled to
the D drive.

I'm not recommending this but for the sake of completeness, I wanted to
mention that there is software which purports to let you move programs from
one drive to another, then search out all references to the programs'
location and adjust them as needed. One such program is the freeware
COA2.exe.

My experience with such software is that it's somewhat less than perfect. It
handled the move of some programs perfectly, but missed some references to
other programs. So I don't recommend the use of such software, but like you,
recommend uninstalling and reinstalling on the correct drive.

 

[Rock]

Rock wrote:






I'm not recommending this but for the sake of completeness, I wanted to
mention that there is software which purports to let you move programs from
one drive to another, then search out all references to the programs'
location and adjust them as needed. One such program is the freeware
COA2.exe.

My experience with such software is that it's somewhat less than perfect. It
handled the move of some programs perfectly, but missed some references to
other programs. So I don't recommend the use of such software, but like you,
recommend uninstalling and reinstalling on the correct drive.

Yes I have seen that and seen it mentioned in here. I think I remember
using it or something like it - maybe a utility that came with that
era's version of partition magic? - in win95 but then again that was
always a mess...lol.. I have usually just suggested the safe way but it
probably does deserve a mention as an option. Thanks for adding that.

 

[Jones]

Thanks, but I was keeping the main partition small enough to fit on one dvd
because I use Nero to image that partition. I also plan to image the
Programs folder to go on its own separate dvd. For the Documents folder, I
just drag and drop items in it to an external usb2 drive.

I got everything working now by using the Move option when you right click
on the My Documents folder. It sure is a pain trying to remember to change
the C to a D when installing new programs though. I have had hit the back
button three times today to go back do that.

 

[Ken Blake, MVP]

Yes I have seen that and seen it mentioned in here. I think I
remember using it or something like it - maybe a utility that came
with that era's version of partition magic? - in win95 but then
again that was always a mess...lol.. I have usually just suggested
the safe way but it probably does deserve a mention as an option. Thanks
for adding that.

You're welcome. Yes, I think Partition Magic includes or included a similar
program.

 

[Sharon F]

Thanks, but I was keeping the main partition small enough to fit on one dvd
because I use Nero to image that partition. I also plan to image the
Programs folder to go on its own separate dvd. For the Documents folder, I
just drag and drop items in it to an external usb2 drive.

I got everything working now by using the Move option when you right click
on the My Documents folder. It sure is a pain trying to remember to change
the C to a D when installing new programs though. I have had hit the back
button three times today to go back do that.

Many backup programs offer compression on the backup. Using True Image, a
15 GB partition with 6.9 GB of files compresses into a 3.5 GB image file
(default settings in program). Easily fits onto a single DVD and yet leaves
me elbow room on the working partition.

I've never tried the Nero backup but it may offer compression too. If
interested, test with a smaller file set to be sure that it works as
expected and without problems.