In order to use SSDs effectively for Windows 7, we need to customize the applications as well wherever possible. I use one basic principle of optimization i.e. to reduce the number of writes on the SSD. To do that we divide data into two categories
(1) Static data -- Things like configuration files or data which is rarely modified and mostly read (accessed). I will leave this or configure this to sit on the SSD.
(2) Dynamic data -- Frequently modified data. For e.g,. a browser's cache and downloads folder is one such application. I will try to transfer such data away from SSD into HDD
Let me show you how I did it for some applications I have:
Browsers
I have Chrome, Firefox and IE but don't ask me why. Here's what you can do for each:
(i) Chrome -- Follow the instructions in http://www.ghacks.net/2010/10/19/how-to-change-google-chromes-cache-location-and-size/ and restart the browser. Make sure that the chrome ccahe absolute path does not have folder names with spaces (its not happy about spaces and will not work unlike IE and Firefox)
(ii) Firefox -- Follow the instructions in http://support.mozilla.org/en-US/questions/768867 and Click Menu Item Options and in the general tab, give the link of the Downloads folder on HDD.
(iii) IE -- Navigate Settings --> Internet Options -> Browsing History --> Settings and change the location of temporary internet files to HDD folder. You can also set the cache size here based on IE usage (mine is 100 MB). In addition one needs to move the location of TMP and TEMP from the Windows Folder on SSD to HDD (Start --> Right Click Computer --> Properties --> Advanced System Settings --> Environment variables)
Safari lovers be warned that most users are saying that there is no way to move the cache directory. Perhaps their is little need of safari on Windows with so many other good alternatives available.
Email Clients
Since email is a dynamic data, we can avoid writing it to SSD. So for Outlook/Outlook express, the.pst files should be located on a path in HDD, while for other email clients you can do the movement of local mail database to HDD.
Microsoft Office 2010
Not much do except go to File --> Options --> Save in each installed office application and change auto recover, documents, server cache, templates and any other such writable data location to the HDD.
Source Insight
Go to Options --> Preferences --> Folders tab and change the location of Main User Data folder to HDD and every other path is relatively adjusted. Nice.
Avast Antivirus
This was something that gave me the most trouble. Avast installation has a "defs" folder which I think stores the antivirus definitions (updated almost daily) based on what timestamps I see for file creation/updation. I wanted to move this to HDD, but whatever I do even administrator account/rights is not allowed to move this. I tried many things, including fiddling with ACL and even manged to get my account converted as a guest, but to no avail. Finally I did a F8 at startup , booted into safe mode and I could use Mklink to move it to HDD. After that boot normally and all definitions are now being downloaded to HDD through the symlinked folder on SSD
Its all manual work and we can do with a tool which can do this for all applications. And though many such tiunings might seem really not worth it, every drops adds to the ocean. If we are aware of this we can do this right after we install any application.
Similarly we can set the directories for every application as applicable. Winzip, Winrar, Visual studio, etc You can check the write rate using the resource manager of Windows 7 task manger. The tools are two only
(a) Change the settings from the program or edit the registry for the program if that gives some options
(b) If their is no configuration item, change the folder to a symbolic link to a folder in HDD
The key point remains identifying where any application writes its static & dynamic data. I think readers will get the idea by now.
Safari lovers be warned that most users are saying that there is no way to move the cache directory. Perhaps their is little need of safari on Windows with so many other good alternatives available.
Email Clients
Since email is a dynamic data, we can avoid writing it to SSD. So for Outlook/Outlook express, the.pst files should be located on a path in HDD, while for other email clients you can do the movement of local mail database to HDD.
Microsoft Office 2010
Not much do except go to File --> Options --> Save in each installed office application and change auto recover, documents, server cache, templates and any other such writable data location to the HDD.
Source Insight
Go to Options --> Preferences --> Folders tab and change the location of Main User Data folder to HDD and every other path is relatively adjusted. Nice.
Avast Antivirus
This was something that gave me the most trouble. Avast installation has a "defs" folder which I think stores the antivirus definitions (updated almost daily) based on what timestamps I see for file creation/updation. I wanted to move this to HDD, but whatever I do even administrator account/rights is not allowed to move this. I tried many things, including fiddling with ACL and even manged to get my account converted as a guest, but to no avail. Finally I did a F8 at startup , booted into safe mode and I could use Mklink to move it to HDD. After that boot normally and all definitions are now being downloaded to HDD through the symlinked folder on SSD
Its all manual work and we can do with a tool which can do this for all applications. And though many such tiunings might seem really not worth it, every drops adds to the ocean. If we are aware of this we can do this right after we install any application.
Similarly we can set the directories for every application as applicable. Winzip, Winrar, Visual studio, etc You can check the write rate using the resource manager of Windows 7 task manger. The tools are two only
(a) Change the settings from the program or edit the registry for the program if that gives some options
(b) If their is no configuration item, change the folder to a symbolic link to a folder in HDD
The key point remains identifying where any application writes its static & dynamic data. I think readers will get the idea by now.
Long Live SSDs !!!
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