Guide: Move Program Folders to Another Drive in Windows 10

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Can I move the program folder to another drive?
How to move the program folder to another drive - 3 methods

Ideally, you'd want to do this without compromising the functionality of your programs. Here, you'll find the answer to your question and a practical method to solve your problem.

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How to Move a Program Folder to Another Drive - 3 Ways

There are three ways to move your program's folder to another drive. This section will detail all three methods. Follow the instructions below:

Method 1: Automatically Move the Program Folder to Another Drive

A tool called Todo PCTrans can assist you in moving your settings, programs, and all essential data to your new device. This software is particularly valuable for its high-speed transfer of large files and enhanced security. Its advantages lie in its stability, safety, cost-effectiveness, and convenience when transferring a large number of files, regardless of distance, size, or network conditions. Download it now and follow the guide below.

Step 1: Run Todo PCTrans and choose Transfer Mode

On the main interface of Todo PCTrans, go to the “App Migration” section and click “Start” to proceed.

Select Transfer Mode

Step 2. Select the app and the other drive to move it to

1. Select the source partition, and check the apps, programs, and software you wish to migrate (labeled as "Yes").

2. Click the triangle icon to select another drive or disk as the target device, and then click "Migrate" to start the migration.

Select the apps to migrate

Step 3. Complete the migration

When the transfer is complete, click OK to finish.

You can now restart your computer to apply the changes, and the migration assistant should run again on the other drive.

Method 2: Move the Program Files Folder Manually to Another Drive

You can create a junction point to move the program files to another drive. Let's look at the steps involved in doing this.

Step 1: First, open the File Explorer. Navigate to the root directory of the target drive. Right-click and select New, then Folder. Here, you will need to give a suitable name to the folder where your program files will be saved.

Step 2: Proceed by opening a new “File Explorer” wizard and start browsing through the folders on the source drive. The folder you choose must contain the program files. Highlight the files you wish to move, including the program files, and then press “Ctrl + C” to copy the folder.

Step 3: Next, switch to another File Explorer window and select the folder you created. Then, paste the program files into the new drive using the "Ctrl + V" shortcut.

Step 4: Here, you need to select another File Explorer window. Then, click on the highlighted folder that contains the program files that were moved from their original location. Press the "Delete" key and then hit "Yes" to confirm.

Step 5: In the menu, select “File” and then “Open Command Prompt as Administrator.” Confirm the User Account Control prompt.

Step 6: Type in mklink /J, followed by the full drive letter. You'll also need to input the original and new paths for the program files, and then hit “Enter.”

mklink command

Step 7: Finally, run the program to make sure the command executes correctly.

If you find the process too complicated, you can use a simpler tool, such as Todo PCTrans.

Method 3: Move the program's folder using the “Move” feature to another drive

This feature not only moves the program from one disk to another, but also moves the program's files along with it. Try the steps below to give it a shot.

Step 1: Click the "Start" menu, select "Settings," then "System," and then click "Apps & features." You'll see a list of installed programs.

Step 2. Choose an app, then under that app choose "Move" and select a destination on another drive.

Step 3: Click to start moving.

Step 4. Repeat this process for all of your programs until they have all been moved to the other drive.

Can I move the program folder to another drive?

Yes, you can move the program folder to another drive. Moving the folder can offer you some unique advantages that you might not be aware of. Let's explore some benefits of relocating the program folder to another drive. They include:

It can prevent warnings related to insufficient disk space from flashing.
It helps change the default location of file installations.
It helps free up space on the hard drive associated with the original drive.
It improves system efficiency because the system runs faster after freeing up space on Drive C.

Here's a descriptive overview of three methods to move program folders to another drive. Feel free to share this article to assist more users in transferring program folders to a different drive. 1. **Using Windows built-in features:** - **Step 1:** Open File Explorer and locate the program folder you want to move. - **Step 2:** Right-click on the folder, then choose "Cut" or "Copy." - **Step 3:** Navigate to the target drive where you want to move the folder. - **Step 4:** Right-click in an empty area and select "Paste." This will either cut or copy the folder, depending on your initial choice. - **Step 5:** If the program has a shortcut on your desktop or Start menu, right-click it, select "Properties," and update the "Start in" field with the new path of the program folder. 2. **Using third-party software (e.g., MoveIt or SmartMove):** - **Step 1:** Download and install a reliable software tool designed for moving program files. - **Step 2:** Launch the tool and select the program folder you wish to move. - **Step 3:** Choose the destination drive and follow the software's instructions. - **Step 4:** The tool will handle the process, ensuring that all necessary file associations and registry entries are updated accordingly. - **Step 5:** After the move is complete, update shortcuts, if needed. 3. **Manual Registry Editing (Advanced Users):** - **Step 1:** Backup your registry by creating a system restore point. - **Step 2:** Open Registry Editor (press `Win + R`, type `regedit`, and hit Enter). - **Step 3:** Navigate to `HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE` or `HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software` (depending on the program). - **Step 4:** Find the relevant program key, right-click it, and choose "Export" to create a backup. - **Step 5:** Modify the key's value data to reflect the new folder location. - **Step 6:** Move the program folder to the new drive using the Windows built-in method. - **Step 7:** Import the registry backup as a safety measure, just in case. Remember, always be cautious when dealing with the registry, as incorrect modifications can cause serious issues. It's recommended to seek professional assistance if you're not familiar with these steps.

Conclusion

We've already discussed various solutions to move program folders to another drive, for the obvious reason to free up some space on the C: drive. For example, you can use a manual method to create junction links to move program folders to another drive, or opt for an automated process.

However, if you want to resolve the issue of “how to move program files to another drive” automatically, we recommend using Todo PCTrans. It can accomplish the task in an automated mode, and its superb features will also let you reap other benefits of Windows file transfer right away.

How do I move my program folders to another drive? FAQ

We hope we've addressed your concerns, but if you have more questions, please feel free to browse our FAQ section below.

1. Can I move program files from the C drive to the D drive?

Yes, you can move program files from the C drive to the D drive by following these steps: 1. First, ensure that there is enough storage space on your D drive to accommodate the program files you wish to move. 2. Locate the program files you want to move. Typically, they are found in the "C:\Program Files" or "C:\Program Files (x86)" folders. 3. Select the program folder you want to move, right-click, and choose "Cut" or "Copy." 4. Open the D drive, find an appropriate location, such as creating a new folder to store the program files, right-click, and select "Paste." If you chose "Cut," this will move the files; if you chose "Copy," it will create a copy of the folder on the D drive while the original remains on the C drive. 5. After moving the program files, you may need to modify the system environment variables to point to the new location. Press `Win + X` keys and then select "System." In the left menu, choose "Advanced system settings," and under the "Advanced" tab, click the "Environment Variables" button. 6. In the "System variables" section, locate the variable named "Path" and click "Edit." In the Edit window, add a new entry and input the new path to the program folder on the D drive. 7. Confirm all changes and close the windows. You might need to restart your computer for the system to recognize the program files at their new location. Please note that not all programs support being moved in this manner. Some require specifying the installation location during setup or rely on specific registry entries and other system files on the C drive. Before moving, make sure you understand how the program works to avoid potential issues. If unsure, consult the program's developer or refer to relevant documentation.

Right-click the Windows icon, then select "Apps & Features."
Select the program you want to move and click "Move," then choose drive D. Confirm the action.
Wait for the process to complete and display the result.

< strong > 2. How to move programs from the C drive to another disk?

You can move the program to another drive by following these steps:

Begin copying the "Program Files (x86)" or "Program Files" folder, and paste it into the other drive of your choice.
Hold down "Win + R" to open the Run tool. Start typing "Regedit," and then click "OK."
Navigate to the path HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\MICROSOFT\Windows\CurrentVersion.
Right-click "ProgramFilesDir" and select "Modify."

Edit the spot by deleting the letters and typing in the ones you want. Tap “Done.”

Should program files be stored on the C drive or the D drive?

D drive is a good option. This is because the D drive usually has more storage space and contains fewer files, while the C drive typically holds the operating system.

Safely Move the Program Files Folder to Another Drive in Windows 10