Windows 11, Storage Management, Apps

How to Move Apps to Another Drive in Windows 11 to Free Up Space

Running low on space on your C: drive is more than an annoyance. It can slow your PC, block updates, and make everyday tasks feel sluggish. Windows 11 includes a built-in way to move many installed apps to another drive without reinstalling them. Used wisely, this feature can free up gigabytes of space while keeping your apps working exactly as before.

Where to Find the Move Option in Windows 11

The option to move apps lives in the Settings app, not in File Explorer. Windows manages these moves for you, so you should always use the built-in controls instead of dragging folders between drives. To get to the right place, follow this path step by step:

1. Open Settings (press Windows key + I for a quick shortcut).
2. In the left-hand menu, click Apps.
3. Select Installed apps. This shows a list of apps installed from Microsoft Store and some desktop apps that support being moved.

This Installed apps list is your control panel for moving, modifying, or uninstalling many applications, and it is where the Move button appears when it is available for a particular app.

Moving an App: Step-by-Step Using the Move Button

Once you are on the Installed apps page, you can move supported apps with a few clicks. Here is the exact process:

1. Scroll through the list or use the search box to find the app you want to move. Large games, design tools, and video editors are good candidates, which we will cover in more detail shortly.
2. Next to the app’s name, click the three-dot More button (⋯) to open its options menu.
3. If the app supports being moved, you will see a Move button. Click Move. If you only see Modify or Uninstall, that app cannot be moved using this method.

After you click Move, Windows will ask you where the app should go. This is where selecting the right destination drive matters for both performance and storage.

Choosing the Best Destination Drive

In the Move dialog, you will see a dropdown list of drives on your PC. Pick the drive that has plenty of free space and is reasonably fast. Ideally, you are moving from a smaller SSD (often the C: drive) to a larger SSD or a spacious hard drive:

• For performance-sensitive apps like games and video editors, another SSD is best if you have one.
• For less demanding software, a large HDD is fine and still frees space on C:.

Select your preferred drive from the list, click Move again to confirm, and wait while Windows transfers the app’s files. The time required depends on the app’s size and the speed of both drives, so larger games can take several minutes to move.

What Happens After You Move an App

From a user’s point of view, moving an app is designed to be almost invisible. Once the process completes, the app still works as before, with no extra steps from you. A few key details are worth noting:

• The app’s shortcuts stay the same. Icons on the Start menu, taskbar, and desktop continue to launch the app normally, even though its files now live on a different drive.
• The move frees up space on your C: drive by relocating the app’s core files and data. This is the main benefit, especially if your system drive is small.
• Your settings and saved data usually remain intact. Most apps keep their configuration and user data, so you do not have to reconfigure them after the move.

In short, Windows updates the behind-the-scenes paths so you get the storage benefit without changing your daily routine. If something feels off, you can always move the app again or reinstall it on the drive that makes the most sense.

Best Types of Apps to Move to Another Drive

Not every app is worth moving. To get meaningful space back on C:, focus on software that takes up a lot of storage. In practical terms, the best candidates include:

• Large games installed from the Microsoft Store or platforms that support the Windows move feature. Modern titles can easily exceed tens of gigabytes, so moving just a few can make a big difference.
• Creative software such as photo editors, 3D tools, and audio production suites. These often come with big libraries, plugins, and sample content that quickly fill a small SSD.
• Video editors and related media tools. In addition to moving the apps themselves, consider storing project files and raw footage on a secondary drive to keep C: lean and responsive.
• Developer tools and SDKs that support relocation. Compilers, emulators, and local test environments can consume many gigabytes, making them prime targets for offloading to a larger drive.

A practical approach is to sort your Installed apps list by size and start with the biggest items that show a Move button. This ensures you spend time where it has the most impact.

Apps You Cannot Move in Windows 11

Some apps simply cannot be moved using this method, and Windows makes that clear by not showing a Move button. Typically, these include:

• System apps and core Windows components that must stay on the system drive for stability and updates. Examples are built-in tools tightly integrated with the operating system.
• Traditional desktop programs that do not support Windows’ move mechanism. These may need to be uninstalled and reinstalled manually to a different drive if you want them relocated.

If you do not see the Move option, respect that limitation. Manually copying program folders in File Explorer usually breaks the app and can leave clutter on your drives. Stick to supported moves or reinstall when necessary.

Changing the Default Install Location for Future Apps

Moving existing apps is only half the job. To prevent your C: drive from filling up again, it is smart to change where new apps are installed by default. Windows 11 lets you do this through storage settings:

1. Open Settings and click System in the left menu.
2. Choose Storage. This page shows how your space is being used and includes several storage management options.
3. Scroll down and look for the section that controls where new content is saved, including new apps. Select a different drive from the dropdown for new app installations.

From that point on, compatible new apps will install to the drive you selected instead of piling onto C:. Combined with moving your largest existing apps, this gives you a practical, long-term way to keep your system drive clear, your updates smooth, and your Windows 11 PC running comfortably within its storage limits.