Running out of space on your main drive, especially if it’s a smaller SSD, is a common problem. Large programs, particularly games, can quickly eat up storage. You might think you can just cut and paste the program folder to another drive, but for most installed applications, that doesn’t work. Windows expects programs to be exactly where they were installed because of how they integrate with the system and the Windows Registry. I learned this the frustrating way years ago, ending up with broken programs.
Moving installed programs to another drive in Windows requires more than a simple file transfer. It’s about ensuring the program still works correctly after the move. This guide covers the different methods you can use.
Why Simple Copy/Paste Doesn’t Work
When you install a program, it doesn’t just put files in a folder. It also creates entries in the Windows Registry, registers components, and sets up shortcuts that point to the original installation location. If you just move the folder, these registry entries and links become invalid, and the program won’t know where to find its files. It will likely fail to run or crash.
Method 1: Using Windows Settings (For Microsoft Store Apps)
Windows 10 and 11 have a built-in function to move apps installed from the Microsoft Store. This is the safest and easiest method, but it only works for apps obtained from the Store.
Step 1: Open Settings
- Click the Start button.
- Click the Settings icon (the gear).
Step 2: Go to Apps
- In the Settings window, click on “Apps”.
- Click on “Apps & features” (or “Installed apps” in Windows 11) in the left-hand menu.
Step 3: Select the App to Move
- Scroll through the list of installed apps or use the search bar to find the app you want to move.
- Click on the app’s name.
- If the app can be moved using this method, you will see an “Move“ button. Click it.
How to Know if it Works: If the “Move” button is grayed out, or if you only see “Modify” and “Uninstall” options, this method won’t work for that specific program. This is common for traditional desktop programs installed from outside the Microsoft Store.
Step 4: Choose the New Drive and Move
- A small window will appear asking you to choose the new drive.
- Click the drop-down menu and select the destination drive (e.g., your D: or E: drive).
- Click the “Move“ button again to start the transfer.
How to Complete: Windows will move the app files to the new drive and update the necessary system settings. This process takes some time depending on the size of the app. Once complete, the app should launch correctly from its new location.
Method 2: Reinstalling the Program (Most Reliable for Desktop Programs)
For traditional desktop programs not installed from the Microsoft Store, the most reliable way to move them is to uninstall them and then reinstall them to the desired drive.
Step 1: Uninstall the Program
- Click the Start button, then Settings > Apps > Apps & features.
- Find the program in the list.
- Click on the program name, then click “Uninstall”.
- Follow any on-screen prompts to complete the uninstallation. This removes the program files and cleans up most of its registry entries.
How to Uninstall Safely: Make sure you have the installer file or know where to download the program again before uninstalling.
Step 2: Reinstall the Program to the New Drive
- Run the installer file for the program.
- During the installation process, pay close attention to the steps. When you reach the part where it asks you to choose the installation location (or destination folder), click the “Browse” or “Change” button.
- Navigate to and select a folder on the drive where you want to install the program (e.g., D:\Program Files). You might need to create a new folder on that drive first.
- Continue with the rest of the installation steps.
How to Choose the Location: Most desktop program installers allow you to choose the installation path. This is your chance to tell it to install on the new drive. This method ensures all files and registry entries are set up correctly for the new location. It’s what I ended up doing for most of my large games and applications.
Method 3: Using Third-Party Program Transfer Software
Several third-party software tools are designed to move installed programs between drives. These tools attempt to move the files and update the necessary system references automatically.
Step 1: Choose a Reputable Tool
- Research program transfer or PC migration software online. Look for tools with positive reviews from reliable sources and a history of safe use. Some popular options include EaseUS Todo PCTrans, AOMEI Partition Assistant (with App Mover feature), etc.
How to Research: Be cautious and read reviews carefully. Free versions may have limitations. Ensure the software is compatible with your Windows version.
Step 2: Install and Run the Software
- Download and install the chosen third-party tool.
- Run the software. You may need administrator permissions.
Step 3: Use the Program Transfer Feature
- Look for a feature like “App Migration,” “Program Transfer,” or “App Mover” within the software.
- The software will typically scan your drives and show you a list of installed programs.
- Select the program(s) you want to move and choose the destination drive.
- Follow the software’s instructions to start the transfer process.
How to Use: The steps vary depending on the software. These tools aim to automate the complex process of moving files and updating system paths. However, they don’t work perfectly for every program, and there’s a small risk of issues. I’ve seen others use these tools successfully, particularly for moving games installed through launchers that support this kind of relocation.
Method 4: Using Symbolic Links (Advanced – Use with Caution)
This is a more technical method that involves creating a link in the original location that points to the new location of the program files. It can be complex and may not work for all programs.
Step 1: Copy Program Files to the New Drive
- Navigate to the program’s installation folder on the original drive (e.g., C:\Program Files\ProgramName).
- Copy the entire program folder to the desired location on the new drive (e.g., D:\Program Files\ProgramName). Do not cut or delete the original yet.
Step 2: Delete the Original Program Folder
- Once the copy is complete, delete the original program folder from the source drive (e.g., C:\Program Files\ProgramName).
Step 3: Open Command Prompt as Administrator
- Click the Start button.
- Type “cmd”.
- Right-click on “Command Prompt” in the search results and select “Run as administrator”.
Step 4: Create a Symbolic Link (Junction)
- Use the mklink command to create a directory junction (a type of symbolic link that works well for folders). The basic command is: mklink /J “Original_Path” “New_Path”
- Replace “Original_Path” with the original full path where the program folder used to be (e.g., “C:\Program Files\ProgramName”).
- Replace “New_Path” with the new full path where you copied the folder (e.g., “D:\Program Files\ProgramName”).
- Press Enter. You should see a message confirming the junction was created.
How to Use Symbolic Links: This method tricks Windows and the program into thinking the files are still in the original spot. It’s more involved and carries a higher risk if not done correctly or if the program doesn’t fully support this. I haven’t personally used this method for programs due to the complexity, sticking to reinstallation or Windows Settings for simplicity and reliability.
Putting it All Together
Moving installed programs to another drive in Windows isn’t a one-click fix for everything.
- For apps from the Microsoft Store, use the built-in Settings method.
- For most desktop programs, uninstalling and reinstalling to the new drive is the safest and most reliable approach.
- Third-party tools can help automate the process for some programs, but choose a reputable one.
- Symbolic links are an advanced option with potential complications.
Assess the type of program you want to move and choose the appropriate method. While it might take a little extra effort compared to simple file moving, using these methods helps ensure your programs function correctly from their new location. Successfully moving a large game from my crowded C: drive to a spacious secondary drive felt like a victory!
