New computer with HDD and SSD

[geoffLa]

My new HP computer has a 1 TB HDD and a 256 GB SSD.
File Explorer shows a Windows(C:) drive and a DATA (D:) Drive.
I assume that the C: drive is the SSD and the 😧 drive is the HDD.

Under 'This PC', File Explorer has predefined folders, eg, Documents, Downloads, Pictures.
Checking Properties, I see that the location of these folders is C:\Users\username.
However, as these folders are to contain Data, I would have thought their location should be the 😧 drive (the HDD)?).

Expanding Windows (C:), presumably the SSD, I see that this contains the Windows and Program Files - as I would expect.
Expanding DATA (D:), presumably the HHD, I see that this is empty.

I have saved the Documents folder from my old PC to a flash drive.
If I copy the files to This PC > Documents, they also appear in Quick Access > Documents.
If I copy the folder to DATA (D:) and then select Pin to Quick Access, another folder (with the standard yellow icon), also called Documents, appears in Quick Access.

Why is the predefined 'Documents' folder assigned to the C: drive rather than the 😧 drive?

[TheOldMan]

The assumed reasoning for that is the Windows OS does not look for the extra drive to be used as "Data" and in most cases just assigns those folders to the drive being used for the OS.  The user can move those and also use assigned folders on the data drive for normal usage, instead of the C: drive but it does not assume that until the users assigns those items.

This action is usually only noticed when the C: drive becomes full from all of the data being stored on the C: drive, but you have noticed this early-on, so that can be avoided, before it becomes more difficult to remedy.

I found this handy software that can move these things easily, so give it a look, or do the moving by reassigning the folders to the data drive.

https://foldermove.com/

[geoffLa]

Hello @TheOldMan.

Thanks for your reply. I have downloaded the Folder Move file but I am concerned about the note that says "C:\Users  ..... should not be moved".

I want to move the Documents folder that appears in File Explorer under This PC. However, this is located in C:\Users\usernmame. which the note in Folder Move says should NOT be moved.

Can you offer any advice,

Thanks from another old man.

[Prométhée · Accepted solution]

hi

see this

Re: So my PC came with a 1TB hard drive, how do I find where... - HP Support Community - 7834985

[TheOldMan]

Well, I do not.  Perhaps just make a new documents folder on the data drive, then start saving files to that.  That is what I did, BTW.  If there is still Documents in the old folder on C: you can copy them to the new location, assuming that there are not too many to keep straight.  Once copied to the new folder, it should then go OK.

If there are other folders that the Folder Move does not want to move, make a duplicate folder on the data drive and start saving to the new folders instead of the one on C:

[geoffLa]

hello @Promethee.

Many thanks for your reply. The link that you included provides the answer to my problem.

Following these instructions created new folder called Username under DATA (D:). This folder contained new sub-folders for Documents, Music, Pictures and Videos.

However, as well as creating the Username folder it also created a folder called Program Files. This folder contained a sub-folder 'ModifiableWindowsApps' which is empty.

It also created a folder called WindowsApps. Clicking on this folder generates a message "You don't currently have permission to a access this folder".

Why has these two 'extra' folders been created? Should I keep them or delete them?

[Prométhée]

I admit I don't understand, because using this method, I don't have these files, but I may not have chosen the same options as you!
I did not use the new apps and offline Maps options
but nothing serious i think
the access problem is normal, it is a windows restriction
Maybe replace these two parameters , originally

[geoffLa]

Hi @Promethee

Since my last post I have upgraded from Windows 10 to Windows 11.

I deleted all the folders (shortcuts) under DATA (D:) including the two unwanted folders. Deleting the two wanted folders was a struggle because, in each case, I got  Access Denied messages.

Using info in the following website

https://www.partitionwizard.com/partitionmanager/change-the-default-save-location-in-windows-11.html

I then created new folders for Documents , Music, Pictures and Videos under DATA (D:) > username.

This time it did NOT add any unwanted folders.

[Prométhée]

😉