Can I install programs onto an external hard drive?

Question

I've got a computer with only 80Gb hard drive, and i've been gradually replacing bits and pieces like RAM, so i thought the hard drive should be next considering i've got a few gigabytes free. Other questions seem to hint that i can do it, although applications will only work on the computer they were installed on due to registry information, but i just wanted some definite answer, instead of buying it and realising that my applications (which take up 90% of my HDD) can't be installed on it.

Answer 1

Yes, when it says, location or has a page with a stream of letters in an edit box with a 'Browse...' button next to it, click browse and go to your external hard drive, and either right-click the folder you want it to go into and press select, or create a new folder and do the same to that.

Answer 2

Yes, though some applications might install certain files in your C: drive. Most applications should allow you to change the default target drive to your external hard drive. You will need to keep your external hard drive attached to your computer for everything to work correctly.

Answer 3

If you use an external drive using a USB socket the transfer rate is slow. Why not invest in a second internal drive as a slave to store your files on.

That's what I did. All my programs and the OS run on the hard drive and the data from them is stored on the slave drive. Some smaller programs I actually run from the slave. Because the drives run in tandem on the IDE strap the response is more or less instant.

Also external drives might be all well and good but you drop them or knock them when they are working you can finish them very quickly. At least a slave is protected by the tower case.

Answer 4

the windows allow you to choose the installation location when you choose customize during software setup/installation, eg. external hard drive. however you need to plug your external hard disk always when you access the application. this is not advisable to do that if you are using the notebook.

Answer 5

hi nathan

           yes this isnt a problem,allthough we normally fly past the

installation prompts when installing programs theres a option to "browse" and choose another folder or directory

           however when using a external hardware such as a "external hard drive" or " memory stick" make sure you have this hardware plugged in or inserted when running the program,as it wont run if the "target" file is missing

          however the price of internal sata drives have dramatically dropped in price,for example a "250GB Maxtor/Seagate SATA2" is only £24.50 exc. VAT  from http://www.aria.co.uk/Products/Component...

           at this price you can easily upgrade your current hard drive and either move the 80gb to a slave configuration or leave the 80gb drive as the master drive and use the 250gb as a slave drive,the second method is the easier as it avoids having to reinstall windows

              any problems let me know

                         good luck mate !