How To Move Files From SSD To HDD [6 Steps]

The best way to move files from a Solid-State Hard Drive (SSD) to a conventional Hard Disk Drive (HDD) will depend on the file type and size. The smaller files may be moved by just copying/cutting and then pasting them into the destination drive. 

For the larger files, such as OS, games, and Apps, you can use either Windows Explorer or specialty transfer tools like EaseUS Todo PCTrans. Although SSD drives are faster, they are also costlier. To boost PC performance, you may need to use the SSD for just the performance-heavy applications.

In such a case, you should consider keeping most of your other data in a conventional HDD disk. Throughout this guide, you will learn the safest and most effective methods of moving files from SSD to HRD.

However, if you have lost or deleted any data from your computer while transferring data from one device to another, it is recommended that you make use of a professional data recovery tool like Remo Hard Drive Recovery Software.

How to Move Files from SSD to HDD on Windows 10

The most effective way of transferring large files from one disk to another is using a data transfer tool like EaseUS Todo PCTrans. For the purpose of this guide, we will use the EaseUS Todo PCTrans tool to move files from SSD to HDD. 

To move the files, you need to create an image on the EaseUS Todo PCTrans program, and then restore it later on. To begin with, you need to download and install the EaseUS Todo PCTrans software on your computer. Once installed, the following steps will help you move files from SSD to HDD on Windows 10:

Step One: Create a Backup File of the SSD Drive 

The first step would be to create a backup file of the source drive, which is the SSD drive. To do this, you need the launch EaseUS Todo PCTrans on your PC, navigate to the ‘Backup & Restore’ mode, and then click on Start. 

Now hover the mouse over the ‘Data Backup’ section, and select ‘Next’. Next, you should either confirm the default settings for the file name and path or customize the settings. At this point, you will be required to select the files you would like to move from the SSD drive.

The program allows you to create backup files for different file types, including personal data, applications, and user accounts. Having selected the files, hover over the mouse over the Files field, and select ‘Edit’ to deselect the ‘Applications’, and ‘Accounts’ options. Finally, click on Finish, then on Backup. 

Step Two: Restore the File to the HDD Drive 

Launch the EaseUS Todo PCTrans program on your computer and navigate to the ‘Transfer Method’ option. Select ‘Data Restore’ and then click on the Next button. Now select the backup file you created in step one on your interface. 

Alternatively, you may navigate to the exact file path where you stored the backup file. Once you have selected the file, click on the Restore button. This operation will take you back to the Files screen, where you are required to select the Edit option. 

The backup file should be viewable at this point. Next, click on the pencil icon to select the target location for the files. Select the HDD to which you would like to transfer the files, and submit the change. After the ‘Basic Settings’ screen, click on Finish, and then on Restore. 

How to Move Apps from SSD to HDD Windows 10

To free up some space on your SSD drive, you may need to migrate some of the files installed on it to the HDD drive. Due to registry problems that may arise, you cannot just copy and paste such files to the new location. The following procedure will help you move installed Apps from SSD to HDD without having to reinstall them:

Step 1: Select the Apps to Transfer

Open the EaseUS Todo PCTrans on your PC and select the Transfer mode. From the main EaseUS Todo PCTrans screen, navigate to ‘App Migration’, and then click on ‘Start’. Now select the applications you need to migrate from the SSD drive. 

To do this, select the source partition, and then tick the applications and programs you would like to migrate (only select the ones that are labeled ‘Yes’).

Step 2: Select the Target Drive and Migrate the Apps 

Having selected all the Apps you would like to move, click on ‘Browse’ to select the HDD as your target drive. Next, click on ‘Transfer’ to start the migration process. Wait for the system to finish migrating the files. Once done, click on the ‘OK’ button to complete the process and close the window. Now restart the computer for the changes to the effect. 

How to Move Games from SSD to HDD

Some other times, you may need to move the games installed on your SSD drive to an HDD drive to improve its performance. There are several methods you may use to move games from your SSD drive to HDD drive without having to reinstall them afresh. These are some of the most effective methods of moving games from SDD to HDD: 

Method 1: How to Move Steam Games From SSD to HDD 

The best way to move Steam files from SSD to HDD is by creating Symlinks using the Steam Mover application. Actually, this app may be used to move almost any game—including Origin, and Steam games. With this method, you can move the game, and play it from the new location without having to reinstall it. Here is how you should go about it:

Step 1: Download Steam Mover and Run it 

Download the Steam Mover application from the official download page. Since it is a portable file you do not need to install it on your computer. Just double-click on the EXE file to run it. 

Step 2: Select the Games to be Moved from the SSD Drive 

At the top of the window, select the current location of the game on the left pane. On the right pane of the window, select the destination folder on the HDD drive. Next, you need to select the game you would like to migrate from the list of installed games. 

Now click on the blue arrow towards the bottom of the Steam Mover window. At this point, the Steam Mover should bring up a command prompt window showing the progress of the copy. Allow the system enough time to finish copying the files. 

Once done, the game will have been copied to the new HDD location, with a shortcut in the original folder. As such, you will be able to run, and play it from Origin, Steam or using the shortcut as if it was never moved. Repeat this procedure to migrate other games to HDD one after the other. 

Method 2: Move the Game File, and Direct the Game Manager to its New Location

You do not need to download more software to run your games after you have moved them from SSD to HDD. This is mainly because both Origin, and Steam are capable of detecting the installed game(s) even after it has been moved to a different location. 

For this to be possible, here are the steps you need to follow:

Step 1: Create a Folder for the Game in the Target Location 

If you are using Steam, you need to create a new file for the game on the target HDD drive, through Steam. To do this, navigate to Settings > Downloads > Steam Library Folders, and select the ‘Add Library Folder’ option.

Name the new folder ‘steamapps‘. Next, create a new sub-folder within the Steamapps folder and name it ‘Common‘. 

Step 2: Copy and Paste the Game to the New Folder

Navigate to the current location of the game file you would like to move. Locate the folder for the game you would like to move, and copy it. (You are likely to find it in the steamapps/common folder). Now go back to the steam apps/common folder you created in step 1, and paste the game folder there. 

Step 3: Re-install the Game in the New location

Launch Steam, and right-click on the game you intend to move. From the context menu that appears, select the ‘Delete Local Content’s option. This operation will uninstall the game from its current location. 

Once done, click on the Install button to re-install the game in the HDD drive. Click on the ‘Choose Location’s drop-down menu to expand it, and then select the folder you created in step 1. Rather than having to download the installation files afresh, Steam will automatically detect the existing game files.

Steam will then make the necessary changes, and install the game in the new HDD location. 

Method 3: How to Move Origin Games from SSD to HDD

The procedure for moving Origin game files from SSD to HDD is similar to the one described above but just simpler. To move an Original game from SSD to HDD, open Windows Explorer, and create a new folder for the game in the target HDD drive. 

You should then copy the game folder from its original location and paste it into the new folder you just created on the target HDD folder. Now delete the old game files from the SSD drive. Open Origin and navigate to Origin > Application Settings > Advanced.

Under ‘Downloaded Games’ select the ‘Change’ button, and direct it to the new game folder you created in the HDD drive. Return to the ‘My Games’ view, and click on the ‘Downloaded’ button to re-install the game. Origin will now detect the existing game files in the new location and install it accordingly. 

Final Verdict 

Normally, many users tend to have a smaller SSD drive and a larger HDD drive on their computers. As the SSD drive approaches its capacity, the performance of the PC may be undermined significantly. To speed things up, you will need to move some files from the SSD drive to the HDD drive. 

There are different ways of doing this, depending on the size and type of the files you are moving to. Ranging from personal folders to installed apps and games, this guide will help you move files from SSD to HDD with ease.