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- Re: Cocking it up big time
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12-13-2019 11:08 AM
Hi
I came on here a few weeks ago when I kept getting pop-ups about the shortage of space on my 'C' Drive. I've now realized I have 2 hard drives on my Desktop computer. One SSD which holds the operating system and one HHD which is supposed to hold all the programs and software one collects over time.
After some searching, I decided to copy the Program Folder and the other Program Folder (86bits) to the 'D' drive to free up space on the 'C' drive. All did not go well. After I changed the registry settings in
Computer-Hkey-Local-Machine-Software-Microsoft-Windows-CurrentVersion
for the two program folders from C to G and then hit restart. Strangely my computer booted and I could log in and onto the desktop. But most of my shortcuts at the bottom of the screen were greyed out and not working.
I did make a back up before I started all this to an external hard drive but I had trouble finding how to restore that backup to the computer so I decided to come here and see if anyone else had similar problems.
As I said before I can use the computer for most things and I can go to 'D' and get Shortcuts from programs in the Windows folder but the registry looks a bit of a mess at present and I need a professional eye to look at it and tell me what to do.
Thanks a lot.
Solved! Go to Solution.
Accepted Solutions
12-16-2019 08:59 AM
It's not a simple matter of having Games and other apps stored on a second drive because the primary source of information on all apps -- a set of files known collectively as the Registry -- has to be on the same drive as the OS files. So, HP could not really setup the PC to do what you want.
What CAN be done -- but this depends on the individual Game and app -- is to point to the second drive when installing so that the large files (especially with Games) can be written to the second drive instead of the first. But, that would involve uninstalling and then carefully reinstalling, all the apps where you want their large data files moved to the second drive.
The registry is not a simple file but a complex collection of files and if you mess with it, you run the risk of rendering your PC unworkable. There are apps you can buy that will claim to "clean" the registry and while they can remove old and obsolete entries, that recovers little if any real space from the drive.
IF your drive is filling up, here are some things you can do to recover some of the disk space:
http://www.tenforums.com/tutorials/3012-disk-cleanup-open-use-windows-10-a.html
http://winaero.com/blog/how-to-clean-up-winsxs-folder-in-windows-10/
Also, the community Win10 Forums has the following suggestions:
https://www.tenforums.com/tutorials/83441-free-up-drive-space-windows-10-a.html
In addition, I have found the utility Cleanmgr+ to have LOTS of options for removing Windows junk, including log files. I use it practically every day. You can get it from here: https://www.getclone.app/download/category/11-cleanmgr
Also, there is a freeware app known as Wise Disk Cleaner. I use it every day to get rid of junk files: https://www.wisecleaner.com/wise-disk-cleaner.html NOTE: if you buy the commercial version of this product, know as Wise Care 365 Pro, it also includes a Registry cleaner.
I am a volunteer and I do not work for, nor represent, HP
12-15-2019 02:30 PM - edited 12-15-2019 02:31 PM
First of all, with the drive division you have, the programs (apps) and their associated data would automatically be stored on the SSD, not the HDD. The HDD would be used for storing large personal files, not for apps or settings.
Second, as you have found out the hard way, you can't just copy folders from one drive to another and expect that to work.
Third, I use third-party app known as Macrium Reflect to do ALL my backups, so I have no idea what you used or how to utilize that to restore your PC to working condition. You would have to explain in some detail what you did.
I am a volunteer and I do not work for, nor represent, HP
12-16-2019 02:52 AM
Firstly, thank you for replying to my post, I appreciate you taking the time to explain my dilemma.
When you say programs stored on the SSD, does that include Games as I have several of those? One being 'Battlefield 4' which I struggle to stay alive every time I play it (strangely, getting killed or not relaxes me). This one alone is around 52GBs.
You'd think HP would take these things into consideration when putting their desktop computers together. Just put the operating system in the SSD and then have other programs and data go directly to the HHD.
Is there anything I can do regarding the 'Registry' as it looks in a bit of a mess at the moment. Or should I contact HP's tech people directly and ask them about it.
I did give you a thumbs up before I posted this and will mark your post as 'Accept as a solution' once I receive your reply.
Thanks again for your help.
Micheal
(@944327)
12-16-2019 08:59 AM
It's not a simple matter of having Games and other apps stored on a second drive because the primary source of information on all apps -- a set of files known collectively as the Registry -- has to be on the same drive as the OS files. So, HP could not really setup the PC to do what you want.
What CAN be done -- but this depends on the individual Game and app -- is to point to the second drive when installing so that the large files (especially with Games) can be written to the second drive instead of the first. But, that would involve uninstalling and then carefully reinstalling, all the apps where you want their large data files moved to the second drive.
The registry is not a simple file but a complex collection of files and if you mess with it, you run the risk of rendering your PC unworkable. There are apps you can buy that will claim to "clean" the registry and while they can remove old and obsolete entries, that recovers little if any real space from the drive.
IF your drive is filling up, here are some things you can do to recover some of the disk space:
http://www.tenforums.com/tutorials/3012-disk-cleanup-open-use-windows-10-a.html
http://winaero.com/blog/how-to-clean-up-winsxs-folder-in-windows-10/
Also, the community Win10 Forums has the following suggestions:
https://www.tenforums.com/tutorials/83441-free-up-drive-space-windows-10-a.html
In addition, I have found the utility Cleanmgr+ to have LOTS of options for removing Windows junk, including log files. I use it practically every day. You can get it from here: https://www.getclone.app/download/category/11-cleanmgr
Also, there is a freeware app known as Wise Disk Cleaner. I use it every day to get rid of junk files: https://www.wisecleaner.com/wise-disk-cleaner.html NOTE: if you buy the commercial version of this product, know as Wise Care 365 Pro, it also includes a Registry cleaner.
I am a volunteer and I do not work for, nor represent, HP
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