How to Change Default Hard Drive Windows 11 (Quickly & Easily)

Have you ever experienced insufficient space in the default drive after downloading many programs and storing many files? What to do if your primary drive on Windows 11 runs out of storage? If you are in such a dilemma, you can change the default drive to a larger one. We will tell you how to change default hard drive Windows 11 or how to change main disk drive for installing apps or saving files.

Can You Change Main Drive on Windows 11

The default hard drive (or primary hard drive) is a hard disk where the operating system is installed, and Windows uses it for different system operations. Yes, you can change default storage drive on Windows 11. You may need to change your default hard drive when your default disk runs out of space due to the accumulation of files and applications affecting your PC's speed and efficiency.

You can change where new content is saved in Windows 11 by going to Settings > System > Storage > Advanced storage settings > Where new content is saved and selecting a new drive, such as from C to D, from the drop-down menus for different content types.

In addition, you may want to replace HDD with SSD as the default boot drive to improve your PC's performance. However, how do you change your default hard drive? As stated above, the default hard drive is where Windows is installed, so the Windows installation must be resolved if you want to change the main hard drive.

To change your main storage device on PC in Windows 11 or make a hard drive the primary drive, you can clean install Windows on the new hard drive. To fresh install Windows on a new disk, you must create a Windows 11 bootable USB, use it to boot your computer, and then install Windows on the new hard drive from the USB. It is worth noting that performing a clean installation requires reinstalling all necessary programs and drivers.

Alternatively, you can switch the primary hard drive by cloning your OS to another disk. Cloning can help you transfer data, programs, and Windows from one hard drive to another without reinstalling. You only need to find reliable disk cloning software, since Windows lacks built-in cloning tools.

How to Change Default Save Locations in Windows 11

If you just want to change the default hard drive for installing apps or saving files because your C drive is running out of space, changing your default installation disk can let you manage your storage on Windows 11 more efficiently and effectively. Here is how to change the default installation drive on Windows 11 via Settings:

Step 1. Click the Windows button and click Settings or press Win + I to access Settings.

Step 2. Click System > Storage.

Step 3. Under "Advanced storage settings," click "Where new content is saved."

Step 4. Under "New apps will save to," select the disk where you want new apps installed and documents or music saved.

If you just want to move individual user folders, such as Documents or Downloads, from the C drive to the D drive, you can right-click them in File Explorer, go to Location, and choose Move to a new folder on another drive. Here is how to change individual user folder locations on Windows 11:

Step 1. Go to File Explorer.

Step 2. In the left pane, right-click the user folder you want to move (e.g., Downloads, Documents, Desktop).

Step 3. Select Properties and then go to the Location tab.

Step 4. Click the Move button.

Step 5. Navigate to the new folder you want to use on your other disk and click Select Folder.

Step 6. Click Apply, then Yes when prompted to move your files to the new location.

Repeat this process for any other user folders you wish to move.

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How to Change Primary Drive Windows 11 via Cloning

Cloning is the best and easiest way to install Windows on a hard drive because it lets you transfer Windows from one hard drive to another, including the saved data and installed programs. After cloning, your target disk is, by default, bootable, and you can use the cloned hard drive to replace your original disk. To clone a hard drive, you can use EaseUS Disk Copy, a safe and reliable disk cloning tool.

EaseUS disk cloning software can help you directly migrate OS from one disk to another and clone a hard drive to another from diverse makers. This remarkable disk cloning tool lets you clone a boot drive easily and quickly without reinstalling Windows or losing data. If your target disk is an SSD, it offers auto-4K alignment for better SSD performance after cloning.

Download this simple yet powerful cloning software to help you clon one disk to another to avoid reinstalling Windows.

Free Download

Windows 11/10/8/7

Here is how to clone one hard drive to another using EaseUS Disk Copy:

Prior Notice:

• The "Sector by sector copy" asks the size of your destination disk to be at least equal to or larger than that of the source disk. Leave this feature unchecked if you wish to clone a larger hard disk to a smaller hard disk.
• All data on the destination disk will be completely erased, so take care.

Step 1. To start copying/cloning an entire disk to another, choose this disk as the source disk under "Disk Mode" and click "Next".

Step 2. Choose the other disk as the destination disk.

Step 3. Check the disk layout of the two disks. You can manage the disk layout of the destination disk by selecting "Autofit the disk", "Copy as the source" or "Edit disk layout". 

• "Autofit the disk" makes some changes by default on the destination disk layout so that it can work at its best status.
• "Copy as the source"does not change anything on destination disk and the layout is the same as source disk.
• "Edit disk layout" allows you to manually resize/move partition layout on this destination disk.

Tick the "Check the option if the target is SSD" option to put your SSD in its best performance.

A message now appears, warning you that data will be lost. Please confirm this message by clicking "OK" and then click "Next".

Step 4. Click "Proceed" to officially execute the task.

This video shows how to clone a hard disk using EaseUS Disk Copy:

 

After cloning, you can use the cloned hard drive to replace your original disk and boot from the cloned disk. As for the old disk, you can format it and use it as your storage device. For more detailed information on how to replace a hard drive and boot from the hard drive, refer to:

To Wrap Things Up

The default hard disk is where your Windows 11 is installed. If you want to change the default boot hard disk, you must reinstall Windows on your new disk. Thanksfully, you can clone one hard drive to another and use the cloned disk to replace your original one. If you just want to change the default save locations in Windows 11 or set disk D as default drive, you can change where the new content is saved in Windows 11 settings.

EaseUS Disk Copy, a dedicated and safe disk cloning utility, can help you clone a hard drive to another easily and quickly. Just download it to help you clone a disk and migrate OS to another drive without reinstalling Windows!

Free Download

Windows 11/10/8/7

How to Change Main Hard Drive Windows 11 FAQs

Below are frequently asked questions on "How to change your main storage device on PC Windows 11."

1. How to switch primary hard drive Windows 11?

To switch primary boot drive via cloning:

Clone the old hard drive to the new disk and replace the original disk with the cloned one.

To change default install location in Settings:

Click System. In the left sidebar, click Storage. Under the More storage settings or Advanced storage settings, look for Change where new content is saved. In the dropdown menu under New apps will save to, choose the drive where you want new apps to be installed.

2. How to change the default save locations in Windows 11?

To change default drive for program installation or default installation location for Apps:

• Press "Win + I" to open "Settings."
• Click "System".
• Click "Storage" in the left sidebar.
• Under "Advanced storage settings," click "Where new content is saved."
• Under "New apps will save to," choose the disk where you want new applications to be installed.

3. How to change default boot drive in Windows 11?

To change your default boot drive on Windows 11 without reinstalling Windows:

• Prepare a new disk and an adapter (USB-to-SATA cable).
• Download and install EaseUS Disk Copy.
• Connect the new disk to your computer via the adapter.
• Launch the cloning software and clone the old disk to the new one.
• Replace the original disk with the cloned one.
• Boot from the cloned disk.

4. How to change default drive from C to D?

To use your D: drive instead of C: drive for new content, change default save locations in Windows Settings for apps, documents, and media, which redirects new installs and saves; for existing apps, move them via Settings > Apps > Apps & features; and for user folders (Docs, Music, etc.), right-click the folder in File Explorer, go to Properties > Location, and set a new disk, applying changes for new content to move.