If you've got a lot of apps and programs installed on Windows x or xi, yous might desire to move them to another bulldoze to free up infinite. It may besides be necessary to change your default install location. Happily, all of these things are possible.

Windows has a built-in utility that allows you to motion modern apps to a location of your choice. Although this method doesn't work for traditional desktop programs, information technology's still possible to movement these programs to another bulldoze.

Let u.s.a. show you how to move an app or program to some other drive on Windows 10 and Windows 11.

How to Move Apps and Programs to Some other Drive on Windows 10 and 11

The process you need to follow depends on what you desire to move to another drive—whether it's a native Windows 10/eleven app or a third-party plan.

First, we'll outline the process for Microsoft Store apps, then we will take a look at traditional desktop programs.

How to Move Windows ten/11 Apps to Another Drive

This method will only work for apps that you accept installed from the Microsoft Store.

move apps on windows 11
  1. Press Windows key + I to open Settings.
  2. Click Apps > Apps & features. Here you volition notice a listing of all apps and programs installed on your organisation.
  3. Ringlet to the app that you want to motion.
    1. On Windows ten, select the app from the list.
    2. On Windows 11, click the 3 vertical dots.
  4. Click Motion.
  5. Select the new drive from the dropdown.
  6. Click Motility again.

Yous can echo this process if you want to motion the app back or to a different drive.

If the Move push is greyed out, information technology means information technology'south a Windows 10/11 app that tin can't be moved (you can uninstall unnecessary Windows apps). If you see a Change button instead, it's a traditional desktop programme, and yous'll need to follow the method outlined below.

How to Movement Desktop Programs to Another Drive

Microsoft doesn't recommend moving the installed programs' file location considering it can crusade bug, like the programme non running or data loss. A safer, albeit less efficient, method is to uninstall the program and reinstall it to your desired drive.

If yous want to proceed, create a Windows restore indicate to reverse the changes if anything goes incorrect.

We recommend using a programme called Steam Mover. This was originally designed to move Steam games between drives but will actually piece of work on whatever program.

windows 10 file system

Whether it'southward where the installed program currently sits or where y'all want it moved to, whatever drive that you want to use with this program needs to be in the NTFS format. To check this:

  1. Press Windows key + Due east to open Windows Explorer, and so navigate to This PC.
  2. Right-click a drive and click Properties.
  3. Refer to the File organisation to run across if information technology's NTFS.

With that confirmed, you can now use Steam Mover to move your programs from one drive to some other:

steam mover
  1. Open Steam Mover.
  2. Side by side to Steams Apps Common Folder, click the iii-menses button to select the folder path on the drive containing the programs you want to move (for example, your Programme Files on the C drive).
  3. Next to Alternative Folder, click the iii-menstruum button to select the bulldoze and folder path where you want to move the programme to.
  4. Select the programme from the list that you want to motion. You can select multiple programs by holding Ctrl as y'all click.
  5. When set up to motion, click the right arrow at the bottom to begin. Control Prompt will open up and procedure the movement.
  6. When complete, you'll come across the new folder path adjacent to the program in the Junction Bespeak column.

How to Modify the Default Installation Path of Apps and Programs on Windows 10 and 11

If you merely desire to alter the default install location on Windows 10 or Windows xi, that's simple. If you're on Windows 8 or prior, yous demand a third-political party programme.

How to Change the Default Installation Path on Windows ten/11

change where new apps save on windows 11
  1. Press the Windows Key + I to open up Settings.
  2. Click Arrangement > Storage.
    1. On Windows 10, underneath the More than storage settings heading, click Modify where new content is saved.
    2. On Windows 11, click Advanced storage settings > Where new content is saved.
  3. To change the default drive for new apps, apply the New apps volition salvage to dropdown.

Y'all volition notice that this page also allows you to change the default location of things similar documents, music, and pictures.

How to Alter the Default Installation Path on Windows 8 and Prior

Microsoft doesn't recommend changing the default install path for programs. Doing so could cause problems with existing programs and some Windows features. It'southward best to perform this operation on a clean system. If that'south not suitable, create a restore betoken so that you can gyre back if necessary.

The majority of programs will permit you alter the installation path when installing them. Information technology's a minor inconvenience to exercise this each time, perhaps, but it requires no system change.

If you exercise want to continue, use a programme called Install Dir Changer. Download it from SourceForge and and so run the program:

install dir changer
  1. Click Enable Editing and so click Yep when the User Account Control window pops up.
  2. Y'all tin can set up a dissimilar path for 64-bit applications and 32-scrap applications. To fix the default installation path for each, click the 3-period button to browse to a folder path.
  3. Once you've selected your new path, click Apply Changes. Now, all new programs you install will default to these binder paths.

Free Up Disk Infinite on Your Drive

Now that you lot know how to motility your apps and programs and how to alter their default install location, you can costless upwards space on your drives. Just retrieve to take all precautions when using third-political party programs.

If you want to save even more deejay infinite, consider deleting sometime Windows files and folders. Along with having moved your programs to another drive, you lot'll have a superbly organized drive.

Delete These Windows Files and Folders to Free Upwards Deejay Infinite

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Virtually The Author

Joe Keeley (876 Articles Published)

Joe was built-in with a keyboard in his hands and immediately started writing virtually technology. He has a BA (Hons) in Concern and is now a total-fourth dimension freelance writer who enjoys making tech simple for everyone.

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