Steps to Transfer Files From C Drive to D Drive

The C drive and D drive are two partitions on a computer's hard drive. The C drive is the primary hard disk partition that contains the operating system and some system files, while the D drive is used for personal data and files management. In this article, we will provide you with some information on what to move from C drive to D drive, and some steps to help you transfer files from C drive to D drive.

What to move from C drive to D drive

The C drive is dedicated to the internal system's data, like Windows files, and should be avoided for storing personal data. Saving important data on the C drive may lead to the loss of data during reboot. Thus, saving personal files on a C drive may not be the best option available here. The D drive, on the other hand, is the safe option as it is used as a recovery drive in many systems. Next to the C drive, the D drive is the first storage drive available for files and data management. Users can store games on the D drive, while files can be saved on the C or D drive based on feasibility.

Meanwhile, there are some files you cannot move, such as Windows, Program Files, and Programs File (x86). The Windows folder stores system files required to start a computer, so you cannot move it. The last two folders are the installation locations of programs. If you move them, the program may stop working or not respond. And some of them only work when installed on the root drive of the hard drive.

Steps to transfer files from C drive to D drive

Here are some steps to transfer files from C drive to D drive:

  1. Copy files from C drive to D drive via Drag and Drop:
    • Open Windows Explorer and navigate to the files you want to move.
    • Select the files and drag them to the D drive.
  2. Transfer files from C drive to D drive via free software:
    • Download and install a free file transfer software like EaseUS Todo PCTrans.
    • Launch the software and select the transfer mode you want to use.
    • Select the files you want to transfer and choose the D drive as the destination.
  3. Move files from C drive to D drive via Windows built-in feature:
    • Press Windows + E keys to open File Explorer.
    • Navigate to the files you want to move.
    • Right-click on the files and select Cut.
    • Navigate to the D drive and right-click on an empty space.
    • Select Paste.

Related questions and their answers

What is the difference between C drive and D drive?

The C drive is the primary hard disk partition that contains the operating system and some system files, while the D drive is used for personal data and files management.

How to free up space on the C drive?

Here are some methods to free up space on the C drive:

  1. Uninstall unused programs.
  2. Delete temporary files.
  3. Use Disk Cleanup.
  4. Move files to another drive.

Conclusion

Transferring files from C drive to D drive is a simple process that can help you optimize the physical memory of your Windows system. It is recommended to avoid storing personal data on the C drive to prevent data loss during reboot. The steps provided in this article can help you transfer files from C drive to D drive easily.