How to Move Programs from SSD to HDD? [Top Methods]

To know how to move programs from SSD to HDD, you should aware of HDD and SSD. 

• What is HDD? A hard disc drive (HDD) is a storage device with mechanical platters and a moving read/write head that accesses data.
• What is SSD? A solid-state drive (SSD) is a modern, quick storage device that stores data on memory chips that are instantaneously accessible.

Let us know the methods of moving programs, user files, and apps from SSD to HDD.

What to Move from SSD to HDD?

We recommend moving the Library folders (Contacts, Desktop, Downloads, Favorites, Links, My Documents, My Music, My Pictures, My Videos, Saved Games, Searches), the paging file, the search index games that you frequently play, and program that you launch to your HDD.

How to Move Programs from SSD to HDD?

Method 01: Copy and Paste the Files:

1. Pitch on the items you want to copy, right-click them and choose Copy from the list of alternatives. Locate a location to save the files, right-click a blank spot, and select Paste.
2. You can also use Ctrl + C and Ctrl + V key combinations for this purpose. 
3. You should copy and paste for small groups of files. It is more convenient if all the files are in the same directory. You may barrel files in My Documents, Videos, Music, and Pictures, for example.
4. It will take a long time if you wish to transfer many files from separate directories. During the data migration procedure, you may also need to tackle the authorization issue.

Method 02: AOEMI Backup

This method, which is essential while moving data to a new hard drive, allows you to send files or folders to multiple locations using file backup or sync.

AOMEI Backup Standard also comes with a plethora of additional useful functions.

1. You can set the task to run on a daily, weekly, or monthly basis to keep track of changes.
2. You can back up in three ways: full, incremental, or differential.
3. It works well with the Windows operating system and storage devices. It supports local discs, external hard drives, removable USB flash drives, Network Attached Storage (NAS), and network shared folders on Windows 11/10/8.1/8/7/XP/Vista.

Method 03: Using Registry Editor

1. On a different drive, make a folder called Program Files (x86) (D: drive)
2. First, copy the directories Program Files and Program Files (x86) to the new location. Open CMD as an administrator, then input the command prompt below and hit Enter:
3. Robocopy “C:\Program Files” “D:\Program Files” /mir
4. Robocopy “C:\Program Files (x86)” “D:\Program Files (x86)” /mir
5. Press “Win + R,” then type Regedit.exe.
6. Change the drive letter from C: to D: in Registry Editor by going to the following path.

• To Windows 7/8/8.1: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion.
• To Windows 10: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion

How to Move User Files from SSD to HDD?

Step 01: Create Backup

1. Start EaseUS Todo PCTrans on your computer.
2. Go to the ‘Backup & Restore’ mode and press the Start button.
3. Select ‘Next’ after hovering the mouse over the ‘Data Back up’ area.
4. After you have selected the files, right-click on the Files field and choose “Edit” to deselect the “Applications” and “Accounts” options.
5. After that, click Finish, then Backup.

Step 02: Restore on HDD

1. On your computer, open the EaseUS Todo PCTrans application and select the ‘Transfer Method’ option.
2. Then click the Next button after selecting ‘Data Restore.’
3. Pick the backup file you made in step one.

How to Move Apps from SSD to HDD Windows 10?

1. You may find a list of apps by going to the Start menu > Settings > System > Apps & Features.
2. Choose an app, select the Move option beneath that app, and then choose a destination on another drive.
3. Click Move once more.
4. Repeat these steps till the last app. 

Can I Move My OS From HDD to SSD?

Step 01: Pre-requisite:

• Current hard drive – from which you will migrate data.
• Your new SSD – from which data will be transferred.
• A backup of all your data – as you can only clone the system files for this project.

Also, Read How to Replace Laptop Hard Drive & Reinstall OS? 

Step 02: Cleaning Up Drive

• Move all the other files to another drive, and HDD should only have Windows files.

Step 03: Defrag the file system

1. Click the Start button and write the defrag into the search box.
2. When you see the Disk defragmentation option, select and run the utility to clean up the disc.
3. Make a backup of ALL of your info.

Step 04: Deleting Extra Files

• Delete all unwanted files to reduce the size of the data. It is necessary to do this step because the transfer will show an error if it takes up more space.

Step 05: Send the File as a Clone

1. Select “Clone” from the left-hand sidebar of EaseUS Todo backup.
2. Choose your old disc as the clone source and the SSD as the clone destination. Before you do anything else, enable the box next to “Optimize for SSD.”

Also, Read Replace Hard Drive & Reinstall OS

How to Switch Between SSD and HDD?

1. “Program X” should be installed on the SSD.
2. Copy or import any relevant data from Program X (Repeat for each program).
3. Import any additional pertinent data (“Documents” folder)
4. Remove all windows data from your hard drive.

Check out How Much Storage Do I Need on My Laptop? 

Conclusion:

HDD and SSD are storage devices, but SSD is modern and faster. That is why many people shift their OS, User files, and programs to SSD.

Mind that SSD is not mainly a storage device only, so filling it up with downloaded and unnecessary files is stupidity.

In this blog, we have explained the ways of how to move programs from SSD to HDD.

Also, Read Flash Storage vs. SSD: This is What Professionals Use