Make your Media files stores on secondary drive

In this article we’ll detail the way to build Windows 7/8 use a distinct drive for storing documents, pictures, music, and more. this can be particularly helpful if your notebook is supplied with over one storage drive.

What You’ll have to be compelled to start




This guide is intended for beginners through advanced users, and applies to computers running the subsequent operative systems:

    Windows seven (32/64-bit)
    Windows eight (32/64-bit)
    Windows 8.1 (32/64-bit)

Do I even have 2 Storage Drives?




TwoDrivesThe easiest method to answer the question higher than is to appear at your pc (if you already understand, you'll be able to skip to consequent section). once logged in to Windows, press the Windows + [E] keys at the same time on your keyboard to open Windows individual and look at the out there storage drives.

The C: drive during this image is that the primary drive wherever Windows is installed; the D: drive may be a auxiliary storage drive. Note that almost all computers don’t have 2 storage drives, though some larger notebooks do. It’s additionally attainable to feature a second internal storage drive to some laptops by replacement the optical drive (DVD/CD drive) with a caddy that holds a storage drive.

Realistically you’ll solely need to follow the recommendation during this guide provided you have got 2 dedicated internal storage drives (not external USB-connected drives).

Why Map to a Second Drive?

A standard pc typically has one storage drive, and therefore the Windows package, programs, and private files area unit unbroken on that. the largest risk here is that knowledge and programs have to be compelled to be removed and replaced if the package should be reinstalled or the drive crashes. With a two-drive setup, the package is put in on one drive and therefore the programs and files on another; reinstalling the package becomes no massive deal.

In today’s age of Solid State Drives (SSDs), a two-drive setup is even a lot of advantageous as a result of you'll be able to be a lot of economical and get a smaller SSD for the first drive and use an oversized cheap drive for auxiliary storage.

NewFolderMapping Your Documents, Pictures, Music, and More

Open Windows individual (press the Windows + [E] keys simultaneously). initial produce a corresponding folder on your secondary drive; you'll be able to do that by clicking on the drive within the left-hand pane of Windows individual. Once the drive’s open, right-click in any white area and click on New Folder.

Give your new folder a comprehensible name like Music or footage, counting on the folder you would like to map. currently to map the folder; in Windows eight (as shown here) you’ll see This laptop listed within the left-hand pane; expand it by clicking the arrow to the left of it.

WindowsExplorer(Windows seven may be a very little different; you’ll see Libraries listed within the same place; expand a library by clicking the arrow to the left of it and so you’ll see the enclosed folders; it’s these you’ll be mapping.)

Beneath this you’ll see Documents, Downloads, Music, Pictures, and Videos folders. We’ll use footage during this example. Right-click on your footage library and click on Properties; once the window opens, click the situation tab. this may show you wherever the folder is presently inform.

To change it, press the Move button and choose the folder you created higher than. during this image, we’ve enraptured the images folder to the D: drive.

PicturesPropertiesClick the Apply button once finished. If Windows doesn’t move your existing files and folders over for you, make certain to repeat them.

Conclusion

In this article we tend to lined the necessities of mapping folders over to a brand new drive. it should be advantageous to map existing folders to a auxiliary storage drive for variety of reasons: It helps minimize risks (you’re now not addicted to one drive) and might assist you be a lot of economical do you have to conceive to go together with a primary SSD and a secondary arduous drive; the SSD is smaller as a result of you don’t would like the maximum amount cupboard space.