Running out of SSD space

[vanir]

The original SSD C drive is only 500GB but I thought it would be enough since Windows 10 Home and DCS are the only things I have on that. I use a 1TB HDD D drive I put all other files and programs on.

So now I only have 80GB of SSD space left and I'm getting worried about future patches and I did pre-purchase the Syria map so that might be a problem.

What I don't want to have to do is buy a 1TB C drive replacement and have to do a full system reinstall, I would rather stick a compass needle into my eye.

 

My question is, to prepare for when I get an updater message that tells me I've run out of C drive space, how do I redirect all further DCS downloads into another drive, will it prompt me for an alternative drive selection or will it just return an error and tell me about my poor life choices?

Can I simply buy a second SSD when Melbourne's stage 4 covid lockdown ends and install that as an E drive and redirect future downloads there, whilst keeping the existing C drive worth of DCS?

If Syria comes out before lockdown ends and I only have my HDD D drive can I redirect it there with the rest of DCS on the SSD or will this cause problems loading between two different types of drives?

I also have an external storage device WD Elements SE 1TB USB 3.0 and I'm not exactly clear on whether that might be considered an SSD or is something else again? Should I direct further DCS files to that and just keep it plugged in when I want to play? Would the USB drive load quicker than a HDD? I get the SSD is best of all, but like I said, lockdown big time around here, can't buy anything but food/essentials within 5km of home, night curfew, fines of up to 10 grand, won't be buying a new drive just yet...

 

So, is there a prompt to redirect a DCS download if there isn't enough space on C?

Just hit D drive or the USB drive and good to go?

Or will a clock appear on the screen and begin counting down to a motherboard fry in a fit of Russian humour?

Do I need to make some registry entries to make a split drive DCS installation?

What will happen, basically? What do I need to do?

[Svsmokey]

Bet you've got a lot of Windows temp and cached files . Delete those for short-to-midterm comfort .

Longer term , simplest solution is to copy the entire DCS folder to a new drive , run a repair and re-direct the start icon . Leave the Saved Games on C alone .

[Headwarp]

I'd just install a new 2.5" SSD and move the DCS installation folder over to it. No need to reinstall.

 

I don't recommend gaming off of an external drive. Adding a new drive shouldn't be difficult at all, other than the sata ports possibly being underneath your GPU. 2.5" drives range from $50-70 USD for 500GB, and $80-$140 USD for 1 TB. Converted to Aussie dollars and allowing for import costs, you'll pay slightly more but worth the investment imo.

 

No need to replace the current drive or reinstall windows, and much less complicated than some of the things you're asking about.

[subseauk]

I'd just install a new 2.5" SSD and move the DCS installation folder over to it. No need to reinstall.

 

I don't recommend gaming off of an external drive. Adding a new drive shouldn't be difficult at all, other than the sata ports possibly being underneath your GPU. 2.5" drives range from $50-70 USD for 500GB, and $80-$140 USD for 1 TB. Converted to Aussie dollars and allowing for import costs, you'll pay slightly more but worth the investment imo.

 

No need to replace the current drive or reinstall windows, and much less complicated than some of the things you're asking about.

 

Headwarp,

Sorry to jump in on the thread but I am in a somewhat similar position in that I am having a shed load of problems with my windows to the point I think a full reinstall is going to be required. However not being a PC guru I was wondering how difficult it would be to install a 2nd M.2 drive of 250GB for Windows ( fresh install ) and to leave DCS on the first 1TB M.2 drive. Would you think there would be any issues and how would I go about it. I don't really want to spend a week down loading DCS, aircraft, campaigns etc again if I don't need to!!

Thanks for the assist and again apologies for jumping onto the thread.