Add disk space to the OS drive without raid

I have 2x40GB SSDs. When I install my Windows on the first drive, after a while I start to get the "Low disk space" messages. My mainboard doesn't have a RAID controller and since it's new, I don't want to buy a new one. I looked around and couldn't find a suitable RAID controller to buy. I was wondering if there is a way to install the OS and after the first run, somehow append the disk space of my 2nd SSD and make it a 1x80GB drive. Is there a software solution for this?

For the record, I'm using Windows 8.

Alireza Noori

Posted 2012-10-26T17:36:09.027

Reputation: 1 117

There is a way to do it, it is called spanning, but I am not sure how to accomplish this as I have never had to do it... – TheXed – 2012-10-26T17:39:14.993

Off main question: Be sure to turn off Windows "System Protection". In 7 it's under the Control Panel > System & Security > System > System Protection. That sucks up space. – nerdwaller – 2012-10-26T17:59:56.980

@nerdwaller It was off anyway but thanks for the suggestion. – Alireza Noori – 2012-10-26T19:56:35.707

Answers

There is a way to do it, it is called spanning, but I am not sure how to accomplish this as I have never had to do it...

Here is a site that detials the process, hopefully this helps... I don't think it will matter if it is Windows 7, or 8 as the process should be fairly similar.

http://mintywhite.com/vista/span-volumes-widows-drives/

TheXed

Posted 2012-10-26T17:36:09.027

Reputation: 1 931

Thanks. At the end of the article it says that it will format the drives. Do you know whether it is possible to install the OS on such drive? I mean, I can hit "Shift+F10", create a span drive before installing the OS but is it going to boot up? – Alireza Noori – 2012-10-26T18:04:55.740

I don't know, like I said I have never done it before... anyone else know? – TheXed – 2012-10-26T18:06:11.200

OK. I'll wait to see if anyone else has tried it but if not, I'm choosing this as the answer since this seems to work. – Alireza Noori – 2012-10-26T18:11:32.693

You can mount drives as folders on your C drive. Catch is, files will have to be moved to that folder to save any space. You can do this in the drive manager

Jeremy

Posted 2012-10-26T17:36:09.027

Reputation: 134

This won't help. Many programs install files on C: and I have to run tons of registry modifications to make it work. It just doesn't worth it. – Alireza Noori – 2012-10-26T18:10:50.620