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Question

Question about file storage

Sep 4, 2018 1:07PM PDT

I have an MSI GS63 Stealth Laptop with a 256 GB SSD and a 1 TB HDD.
Somehow, my SSD only has 145 GB on it left, and I didn't get this computer too long ago, and I haven't installed too much onto it, so it's wild to me I've lost so much storage on it, and I do know the OS is installed, but I lost about 100 GB randomly.

My HDD is never used, and it has only 911 GB available, that's a 0% usage since there is nothing in there.

Should I move all of my installations to my HDD instead of my SDD? I don't want space to be taken up on my SDD if I have a 1 TB HDD I could use. I have already redirected the downloads; however, all of the installations of every program I've downloaded are installed into my SDD in the "Program Files" folder.

Also, if I was to move to my HDD as my main storage device over my SDD, how would I do that? I have no idea so I'm hoping someone can help me.

I just don't know what to do.

Post was last edited on September 4, 2018 1:08 PM PDT

Discussion is locked

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Answer
This is part of the reason I want folk to stick to big SSDs.
Sep 4, 2018 1:12PM PDT

Many are just users and won't know to install what they can on the bulk HDD.

So in short your choice what goes where.

---> DO NOT MOVE THE HDD to the SSD location. You will learn quickly what a mess that is plus all the speed of the machine will go away. HDDs are many times slower than SSD.

Just use the HDD when you can.

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SDD move
Sep 4, 2018 1:16PM PDT

Well, the only thing I've done so far is move the downloads folder to the HDD, but everything is still installed onto the SDD. Is it alright performance wise if I keep it that way?

Also, why is it that my SDD is showing that I already have 100 GB used, it should only have about 20 or 30 GB used due to the OS and minor file installations.

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About installations.
Sep 4, 2018 1:32PM PDT

When I install a title I have to watch carefully for where the install folder is.

A lot of disk use can be the Windows Updates and the copies stored so you can roll back. Also, Microsoft by default keeps copies for sharing with other PCs. I disagree with this and always turn that off. Here's how -> https://www.howtogeek.com/224981/how-to-stop-windows-10-from-uploading-updates-to-other-pcs-over-the-internet/

Once that is off you can use Disk Cleanup to cleanup that area. Here's an article about that:
https://www.windowscentral.com/how-reclaim-storage-space-after-installing-windows-10-fall-creators-update

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Ok so i'm good?
Sep 4, 2018 1:43PM PDT

So having the downloads folder in the HDD is fine as long as it's installing to the SDD? As you said that it's better for performance if your programs are installed onto your SDD?

I'll also read and follow the articles, thanks again.

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That's a start.
Sep 4, 2018 1:53PM PDT

As to installing to the SSD, that is always the owner's choice. I find that games don't take that big a hit on HDD. The OS and such really seems to get the biggest bang being on SSD.