How to Move Program Files to Another Drive in Windows 10/11

Can I move my Program Files folder to another drive?

Technically, yes — you can move your Program Files folder to another drive in Windows 10/11, but it’s not recommended for most users. The Program Files and Program Files (x86) folders are deeply integrated into the Windows operating system. Moving these folders outright can easily cause apps to malfunction or Windows to become unstable.

However, if your C: drive is running out of space and you need to relocate programs safely, there are alternative methods that achieve the same result without breaking the system. Just keep reading.

Before moving program files to another drive in Windows 10/11

Before you move any program files to another drive, it’s important to prepare your system properly. Here’s what you should do first:

1. Free Up Space and Choose a Suitable Drive

Pick a drive with enough free space and fast read/write speed (SSD preferred). Avoid moving programs to external or removable drives that may disconnect unexpectedly.

2. Create a Full Backup

Before making any changes, create a system backup to ensure you can roll back if anything goes wrong. The best free backup software – AOMEI Backupper Standard comes to help.

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How to move programs to another drive in Windows 10/11

Here you’ll learn 3 effective methods to move installed programs to another drive. Pick one way according to your situation.

🔔 Note: Not all programs can be moved. Some core system applications and deeply integrated software (like antivirus programs) will refuse to move and could break your system if forced.

Method 1: Move Installed Apps via Windows Settings

If you want to move installed apps to another drive in Windows 10 or Windows 11, the easiest and safest way is through the Apps & Features settings. This built-in option works best for Microsoft Store apps and some modern desktop applications that support relocation.

1. Press Windows + I to open Settings.

2. Go to Apps > Apps & features (or Installed apps in Windows 11).

3. You’ll see a list of all installed programs on your computer. Scroll through the list or use the search bar to find the app you want to move.

4. Click on the app’s entry, then select Move.

5. Choose the destination drive from the dropdown list (for example, D: or E:).

6. Click Move again to confirm. Windows will automatically relocate the app’s files and update all necessary system references.

💡 Tip: Only apps downloaded from the Microsoft Store or designed for the Windows app model can be moved this way. Traditional desktop software (like Adobe or Office programs) will not show the Move button.

Method 2: Move Program Files Using the Program's Settings

Some programs, especially large ones like games from Steam, Battle.net, or the EA App, have their own built-in migration tools. This is often the best and safest way for games. Take Steam as an example:

1. Open Steam and go to your Library tab.

2. Right-click the game you want to move and choose Properties.

3. Select Installed Files (or Local Files on older versions) and click Move install folder.

4. Select the new drive/library folder and click Move Folder. Steam will seamlessly move the files for you without any risk of breaking the game.

Method 3: Uninstall and Reinstall Programs

When an application doesn’t support being moved and manual relocation is too risky, the most reliable method is to uninstall the program and reinstall it directly onto another drive. Here’s how to do it safely:

1. Press Windows + I to open Settings.

2. Navigate to Apps > Apps & features (or Installed apps on Windows 11).

3. Find the program you want to move. Click Uninstall and follow the prompts.

💡 Tip: Before uninstalling, check the app’s settings for export or backup options (especially for games, creative tools, or productivity software) to save your custom settings and data.

4. Download the program’s installer from the official website and run it.

5. When prompted to select an install location, choose a folder on another drive, such as D:\Apps or E:\Program Files.

6. Proceed with the installation.

💡 Tip: Not all installers support custom installation paths. If the option is missing, the program may only allow installation on the system drive.

Best practice: install new programs to another drive

Instead of moving existing applications—which can be risky or time-consuming—the most reliable long-term solution is to install new programs directly to another drive. This prevents clutter on the system drive (C:) and helps maintain smooth Windows performance without modifying system paths.

1. Change the Default Installation Path

Windows installs most applications to C:\Program Files by default, but you can redirect future program installations to another drive. Follow the steps below:

• Go to Settings > System > Storage.
• Scroll to More storage settings and click Change where new content is saved.
• Under New apps will save to, choose another drive (e.g., D: or E:). This ensures that supported apps are installed on the new drive automatically.

2. Keep the System Drive for Windows Only

To ensure long-term stability and speed:

• Leave the C: drive for Windows, drivers, and essential system tools.
• Install large games, creative software, and heavy applications to another drive.

This reduces fragmentation and prevents low-disk-space warnings that affect performance.

Verdict

Moving program files to another drive in Windows 10/11 can help free up space on your system drive and improve overall performance, but it must be done carefully to avoid breaking applications or system functionality. This guide offers 3 alternative methods to help you move program files.

Before you move anything, always back up your system with AOMEI Backupper to avoid irreversible data loss. It enables you to backup computer data to various locations, such as backup files to an external hard drive. Use it to protect your PC now!