How do I install apps or SD memory card?

[robinpe]

As the title says, how do I put apps onto my 64 Gb "Secure Digital Storage Device (D", (Micro SD memory card).
I have it listed under "Libraries" in "File Explorer" at the moment. I have installed all my pictures in there,
along with "File History". Now I need to put some large apps in there too, if possible.
Thank you.

 

[Mark Phelps]

I don't believe you can do that, if what you intend, is for ALL the app components to be housed on the SD card. Apps typically install components in Program Data, Program Files, INF, and other folders. While it MIGHT be possible to move some of these to the SD card, you also have to deal with Registry entries. And, even if you could move the registry files to the SD card, you would not want to do that.

 

[robinpe]

Thank you Mark Phelps and also adamf from other thread that I fouled up on. adamf, I just up dated to 8.1 three days ago. It looks like I'm going to have to figure out something else. That's the problem with some of these tablets, the operating system takes so many gigs you don't have much lift to work with on the HDD.

 

[adamf]

Try to download and run TreeSize Free - Quickly Scan Directory Sizes and Find Space Hogs which will show you what is using a lot of space. There is a lot of scope for saving space and moving things but it is easier if you know what is using it first

FYI I also installed Windows 8.1 about 2 weeks ago and it took 13GB. After installing Office etc and running windows update it is now 17GB which isn't so bad.

 

[robinpe]

adamf, You can see all your app sizes if you go to PC Settings > Search and Apps > App Sizes, and wait a few seconds. Thanks for the tip-off on "Treesize".

 

[adamf]

This might be interesting How to Install Windows Store Apps to an SD Card or Another Drive

 

[robinpe]

It looks pretty involved, my SD card is formatted as 'ex-fat' rather than NTFS, I wonder how you change that?

 

[adamf]

It looks pretty involved, my SD card is formatted as 'ex-fat' rather than NTFS, I wonder how you change that?

I think looking for other big things first may be easier.

Anyways you can't change ex-fat to NTFS you have to reformat it. Right click, select format and then file system NTFS.
This will delete everything on the drive so if you want to keep anything on it you must copy it somewhere first and then copy it back after.

 

[Mark Phelps]

From the Window Store description, it sounds like you CAN install apps to an SD Card.

However, my own experience, having suffered through several failed SD cards, is that they are nowhere near as reliable or robust as hard drives, and, if my own history is an indicator, can suddenly fail without warning, and to a degree such that routine data recovery apps will not work on them.

Your apps -- your choice.

 

[KimberlyDeborah]

Have you ever ran low on memory space on your android and had to delete some apps?After this, your phone will automatically install apps to your external memory

 

[Mark Phelps]

Have you ever ran low on memory space on your android and had to delete some apps?After this, your phone will automatically install apps to your external memory

This must be a really OLD version of Android, because with KitKat (v4.4.x), apps can no longer be installed to the SD card, only data files can be saved there.