How to Change Default Hard Drive Windows 10?
Are you frustrated with your Windows 10 computer’s default hard drive? Are you looking for a way to change it to something more suitable for your needs? If so, you’ve come to the right place. In this article, we’ll provide a step-by-step guide on how to change your default hard drive in Windows 10. We’ll also discuss some tips and tricks to help you get the most out of your new hard drive. So, if you’re ready to make the switch, let’s get started!
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- Go to Start menu and select Settings.
- Under System, choose Storage.
- Select the drive you want to use for the new default location for apps, documents, music, pictures, and videos.
- Choose Change where new content is saved to edit the locations.
- Select the new drive, then choose Apply.
Part 1: Steps to Change Default Hard Drive in Windows 10
In order to change the default hard drive in Windows 10, there are a few steps that must be taken. First, you must open the start menu and select the “Settings” option. This will open the “Settings” window. From here, you must select the “System” option and then the “Storage” option.
Step 1: Change the Default Save Location
Once you are in the “Storage” window, you will want to select the “Change where new content is saved” option. This will open the “Change where new content is saved” window. Here, you can choose which drive you want to use as the default save location. Once you have selected the drive, click the “Apply” button to save your changes.
Step 2: Move Existing Files to the New Drive
Once you have set the new default save location, you will need to move any existing files from the old drive to the new one. To do this, you can use the “Move to” option in the “Manage” section of the “Storage” window. This will allow you to select the files or folders that you want to move and then choose the destination drive.
Part 2: How to Change the Default Program Files Location
If you want to change the location of your program files, you can do so by opening the “Advanced system settings” window. This can be done by searching for “System Properties” in the start menu and then selecting the “Advanced” tab. In the “Advanced” tab, you will want to select the “Environment Variables” button.
Step 1: Change the System Variable
In the “Environment Variables” window, you will want to select the “System Variables” option. Here, you can change the “ProgramFiles” variable to the location of your choice. Once you have made the change, click the “OK” button to save your changes.
Step 2: Move Existing Program Files
Once the “ProgramFiles” variable has been changed, you will need to move any existing program files to the new location. To do this, you can use the “Move to” option in the “Manage” section of the “Storage” window. This will allow you to select the programs or files that you want to move and then choose the destination drive.
Part 3: How to Change the Default User Profile Location
If you want to change the location of your user profile, you can do so by opening the “Advanced system settings” window. This can be done by searching for “System Properties” in the start menu and then selecting the “Advanced” tab. In the “Advanced” tab, you will want to select the “User Profiles” button.
Step 1: Change the User Profile Setting
In the “User Profiles” window, you will want to select the “User Profiles” option. Here, you can change the “Default” user profile to the location of your choice. Once you have made the change, click the “OK” button to save your changes.
Step 2: Move Existing User Profile Data
Once the “Default” user profile has been changed, you will need to move any existing user profile data to the new location. To do this, you can use the “Move to” option in the “Manage” section of the “Storage” window. This will allow you to select the user profile data that you want to move and then choose the destination drive.
Few Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. How do I change the default hard drive in Windows 10?
A1. Changing the default hard drive in Windows 10 is simple and straightforward. The first step is to open the “Settings” menu, which can be accessed by clicking the Start button and then selecting “Settings.” Next, find the “System” option, and then select “Storage” from the left-hand menu. This will bring up a list of all the available hard drives on the computer, and the default drive will be indicated by a blue “Default” label. To change the default drive, simply click on the drive that you want to make the default, and then click “Set as default” at the top of the page.
Q2. How do I change the default location for my documents and downloads?
A2. To change the default location for documents and downloads, open the “Settings” menu, select “System,” and then select “Storage” from the left-hand menu. Next, click the “Change where new content is saved” option at the top of the page. This will bring up a list of all the available drives on the computer, and the current default drive will be indicated by a blue “Default” label. To change the default drive, simply click on the drive that you want to make the default, and then click “Choose this location” at the bottom of the page.
Q3. How do I save files to a different hard drive?
A3. To save files to a different hard drive, open the file that you want to save, and then click “Save As.” This will bring up a window that will allow you to select the location where you want to save the file. From the “Save In” drop-down menu, select the hard drive that you want to save the file to, and then click “Save.” The file will then be saved to the selected hard drive.
Q4. How do I back up my data to a different drive?
A4. To back up your data to a different drive, the first step is to open the “Settings” menu, and then select “Update & Security.” Next, select “Backup” from the left-hand menu, and then click “Go to Backup & Restore (Windows 7).” This will open the “Backup and Restore” window, where you can select the files and folders that you want to back up, and then select the drive where you want to store the backup. Finally, click “Back Up Now” to start the backup process.
Q5. How do I move my documents and downloads to a different drive?
A5. To move your documents and downloads to a different drive, open the “Settings” menu, select “System,” and then select “Storage” from the left-hand menu. Next, click the “Change where new content is saved” option at the top of the page. This will bring up a list of all the available drives on the computer, and the current default drive will be indicated by a blue “Default” label. To change the default drive, simply click on the drive that you want to use for documents and downloads, and then click “Move” at the bottom of the page. This will move all of your existing documents and downloads to the new drive.
Q6. How do I move my existing files to a different drive?
A6. To move your existing files to a different drive, open the folder containing the files that you want to move, and then select the files that you want to move. Next, right-click the selected files, and then select “Cut.” This will remove the files from their current location. Then, open the folder on the new drive where you want to move the files, right-click inside the folder, and then select “Paste.” This will move the files to the new drive.
Windows 10 Low Space on C: Drive? Change Default Storage Locations. 2019 Update in the Description!
Changing the default hard drive of your Windows 10 computer can seem like a daunting task, but with the right instructions and knowledge, you can easily do it. With these instructions, you will have your computer up and running on the hard drive of your choice in no time. So, don’t wait any longer, take the plunge and make the switch to the hard drive you have been wanting. You’ll be glad you did!