How to Move Files From C Drive to D Drive [4 Fast Ways]💡

This guideline will meet all your requirements if you are looking for effective and safe methods to move files from C drive to D drive. It covers four practical file transfer tips and one tutorial for changing the file's default location.

The C drive is typically the default location for most files, such as the operating system and system files. Due to the limited storage capacity, managing files and freeing up space becomes a crucial task. A common practice to optimize storage and improve system performance is to move files from the C drive to the D drive. EaseUS will provide four solid ways to help you move files between the C drive and the D drive seamlessly and effectively.

How to Move Files from C Drive to D Drive - 4 Methods

In this section, we will discuss four available methods for moving files from the C drive to the D drive. You'd better make a full backup for the whole C drive using an external hard drive in case any incorrect operation causes the data damage. Hers is an overview of all the ways:

1. #1. Profesional Data Transfer Tool - EaseUS Todo PCTrans
2. #2. Manually Copy and Paste
3. #3. Run Commands to Move Files
4. #4. Try Windows Move Feature

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Way 1. EaseUS Todo PCTrans

• ⏱️Duration: About 10 minutes
• 🧑‍💻Difficulty: Easiest

EaseUS Todo PCTrans is a professional solution that offers technical support to help users move files from the C drive to the D drive. Its "App Migration" is a trustworthy and operable tool for users at all levels. This utility has versatility, which allows for comprehensive data migration and streamlines the overall transfer process, making it a valuable tool for various data management needs.

Steps to transfer files from C drive to D drive:

Step 1. Run EaseUS Todo PCTrans on your PC

Go to "App Migration" and click "Start" to continue.

Step 2. Select programs to move from C drive to another drive

1. Tick the C drive and select programs (marked as "Yes") that you want to transfer.

2. Click the triangle icon to select another drive on your computer as the destination, and click "Transfer" to start the process.

Step 3. Finish the transferring

Wait patiently until the transferring process finishes and click "OK" to confirm. 

When it has done, you can restart PC if necessary. This will keep all changes on your PC and then you can run and programs from another hard drive without reinstallation.

Other Noble Functions of EaseUS Todo PCTransfer

• Move games from C drive to D drive.
• Back up data and programs from the local PC to an external disk.
• Uninstall web browsers, Chrome, Firefox, Edge, Opera, etc.

In any case of data transfer, this software will guarantee you an enjoyable experience.

Way 2. Manually Copy and Paste

• ⏱️Duration: About 12 minutes
• 🧑‍💻Difficulty: Easy

Another straightforward method is to manually copy and paste the files and folders you want to transfer. However, if you want to move various files to the D drive, this may cost a lot of time. Here is the simplified guide:

Step 1. Press "Windows + E" or double-click "My Computer"/"This PC" to launch File Explorer.

Step 2. Navigate to the local C drive, right-click the files you intend to transfer and select "Copy" or "Cut."

Step 3. Click the local D drive, right-click anywhere, and choose "Paste."

You can also use "Ctrl+C"/"Ctrl+X" and "Ctrl+V" to move files.

Way 3. Command Prompt

• ⏱️Duration: About 15 minutes
• 🧑‍💻Difficulty: Complicated

The third solution is to run command lines in Command Prompt to move files from C to D. It requires a certain level of command knowledge, which is a tough task for computer beginners. Follow the steps with caution, as any mistake may bring severe damage to your system and computer:

Step 1. Write cmd in the Windows search box and choose "Run as administrator" to get full permission.

Step 2. In the Command Prompt utility, type the commands below to copy files from the C drive to the D drive:

• copy c:\workfile.txt d
• workfile.txt
• copy *.txt d:

Way 4. Windows Move Feature

• ⏱️Duration: About 15 minutes
• 🧑‍💻Difficulty: Medium

Windows also offers another built-in tool to assist users in moving files from the C drive to the D drive. Since this tool may be unable to recognize the save path for the system files, it's applied to transferring users' personal files like music, photos, and videos. 

Below is how to do it:

Step 1. Use the "Windows + E" keys to open File Explorer.

Step 2. Locate and right-click the target files/folders and choose "Properties" > "Document Properties."

Step 3. In the "Location" tab, select the target location and click "Move" > "OK" to change the file location.

The above ways can also transfer programs from the C drive to the D drive, and you can go through how to do so with tools like Registry in the article below:

Bonus Tip: Change the File Default Location from C Drive to D Drive

If your C drive is full D drive is empty, you can try to change the file default location from C drive to D drive. Then, your files will be stored on the D drive next time. Let's take a look at what to do:

Step 1. On a Windows computer, enter "Settings" > "System" > "Storage."

Step 2. Select "Change where the new content is saved" under the "More Storage Settings" section.

Step 3. You will see the default locations for files like Apps, Music, Photos, and Movies. Select D drive from the drop-down options as a new location.

Conclusion

This post serves Windows users who struggle to move files from the C drive to the D drive without losing data. It contains four tested methods, including manual copying and pasting, two Windows tools, and a one-for-all data transfer expert - EaseUS Todo PCTrans. According to our test, the 3rd data transfer software is your best choice for simplified operations and fast transfer speed. Download and complete this file-moving process immediately:

FAQs About How to Move Files From C Drive to D Drive

For more valuable details about how to move files from C drive to D drive, you can read the following related questions and answers:

1. What files can I move from the C drive to the D drive?

The C drive stores various important files as the system partition. Thus, you need to be careful when moving files from the C drive to the D drive. You cannot transfer the system files, or it may cause system corruption and computer boot failures.

2. How can I change my local disk drive letter from C to D?

You can easily change the drive letter of your local disk by following the steps below:

• Run Disk Management with administrator permission.
• Right-click the local drive you want to change the drive letter and choose Change the Drive Letter and Paths.
• Click  Change or Add to change or add a new drive letter.
• Hit OK > Yes to confirm your changes.

3. Can I move installed programs from C drive to D drive?

Yes, you can transfer installed programs to another drive. If you are interested in the comprehensive guide, you can read and learn three reliable ways in the article below:

💡Further Reading: How to Move Installed Programs to Another Drive in Windows 11