What moves to a second drive on Windows, and what breaks if you try
Games and user folders move cleanly. Installed programs mostly do not. The supported ways to use a second drive properly.
A second drive is the obvious answer to a full C drive, and about half of what people try to move does not move well. The difference is not size, it is how the software was installed.
What moves cleanly
| What | How | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Steam games | Steam, Settings, Storage, move | Moved rather than redownloaded |
| Other launcher games | Per game install location | Usually reinstall rather than move |
| User folders | Properties, Location, Move | Supported by Windows |
| Store apps | Settings, Apps, Move | Only for apps that allow it |
| OneDrive folder | Unlink, move, relink | Works, and takes a full resync |
| Docker's disk | Docker Desktop settings | One setting |
| Caches with a setting | Each tool's own preference | npm, pip, Resolve and more |
What does not
A traditionally installed program writes registry entries, shared components and absolute paths at install time. Moving its folder breaks it, and the tools that promise to move programs by creating junctions work until an update rewrites the wrong path. The supported route is to uninstall and reinstall, choosing the other drive during setup.
Changing where new programs install
Settings, System, Storage, Advanced storage settings, Where new content is saved lets you point new apps, documents, music and video at another drive. It affects Store apps and new saves rather than traditional installers, which still ask during setup.
Junctions, and why to be careful
# Moves a folder and leaves a link behind. Powerful, and easy to regret.
robocopy "C:\Big\Folder" "D:\Big\Folder" /E /MOVE
mklink /J "C:\Big\Folder" "D:\Big\Folder"This genuinely works and is how many people move a stubborn cache folder. The risks are real: an uninstaller that follows the junction can delete the target, a backup tool can follow it and copy twice, and an update can replace the link with a real folder. Use it for caches, not for programs.
What belongs where
Keep on C anything written to constantly: Windows, the page file, the folders a compiler writes during a build. Move what is read occasionally: games, media, archives, virtual machines. That is the same split as an external drive for development work, for the same reason.
Common questions
Can I move installed programs to another drive on Windows?
Most traditionally installed programs, no: they write registry entries and absolute paths at install time. Uninstalling and reinstalling on the other drive is the supported route.
How do I move Steam games to another drive?
Steam, Settings, Storage, add a library folder on the other drive and move installed games to it. They are moved rather than redownloaded.
Can I change where Windows installs new apps?
Yes, in Settings, System, Storage, Advanced storage settings, Where new content is saved. It affects Store apps and new saves; traditional installers still ask during setup.
Are junctions safe for moving folders?
For caches, usually. The risks are that an uninstaller can follow the link and delete the target, a backup can copy the data twice, and an update can replace the link. Do not use them for programs.