Quick fix: Open Settings → Apps → Installed apps. Find the Microsoft Store app. Click the three-dot menu → Move. Pick the target drive from the dropdown. Click Move. Windows transfers app files to the new drive. Settings, user data, save files move automatically. Works only for Microsoft Store apps, not Win32 desktop installs.

If C: drive is full and you have a second drive (D: or external SSD), you can move Microsoft Store apps off C: to free space. Microsoft made this a one-click operation for apps installed from Microsoft Store. Win32 apps (installed via installer) require manual moves with junction links.

Symptom: Want to move installed Microsoft Store apps to another drive to free up C: space.
Affects: Windows 11 (and Windows 10).
Fix time: ~5 minutes per app (depending on size).

What causes this need

Microsoft Store apps install to C:\Program Files\WindowsApps by default. Games like Forza Horizon, Microsoft Flight Simulator can be 50-150GB. With a 256GB SSD as C:, this fills fast. Moving them to D: or an external drive saves C: for system files.

Method 1: Move via Settings

The standard route.

Open Settings → Apps → Installed apps.
Find the app in the list. Click the three-dot menu next to it.
Click Move. (Option only shows for movable apps — not all Store apps are movable.)
Dropdown shows available drives. Pick destination (D:, E:, etc.).
Click Move. Progress bar appears. Time depends on app size (10-30 minutes for large games).
App now lives on the new drive. Save files and settings move with it.
To verify: C:\Program Files\WindowsApps no longer contains the app; D:\WindowsApps does.
Performance: if D: is an HDD instead of SSD, app launches slower than on C: SSD.

This is the standard route.

Method 2: Change default install location for future Store apps

For preventing the issue going forward.

Open Settings → System → Storage → Advanced storage settings → Where new content is saved.
Under New apps will save to: pick the drive (e.g., D:).
Now any new Store app installs to D:.
For drive removal safety: if you remove D: drive while an app is installed there, the app breaks. Reinstall on a remaining drive.
For external drives: use only persistent drives. Removable USB drives are risky.
You can also pick locations for Documents, Music, Pictures, Videos folders. Useful for cloud-syncing or external drive setup.
For external SSD: must format as NTFS for app install (not exFAT).

This is the preventive approach.

Method 3: Move Win32 apps using third-party tools

For non-Store apps.

Win32 apps (installed via .exe / .msi) don’t have a Move option in Settings.
Use a tool like SteamMover (free), Application Mover, or Steam’s own Move feature for Steam games.
SteamMover process: copy the app folder to the new drive, then create a junction (symbolic link) in the original location pointing to the new folder.
For Steam games: open Steam → right-click game → Properties → Installed Files → Move install folder.
For Adobe Creative Cloud: open Creative Cloud → pick app → settings → install location. Reinstall on the new drive.
For manual junction: mklink /J "C:\Program Files\AppName" "D:\Apps\AppName". Creates link so app still runs from C: path while data lives on D:.
Risky: many apps have hardcoded paths. May break.
For chronic disk space issues: better to add a larger primary drive than fight with junctions.

This is the workaround for non-Store apps.

How to verify the fix worked

Settings → Apps → Installed apps → click the app → Advanced options. Install location shows new drive.
C: drive free space increased.
App still launches normally.
Game saves still accessible (they should be in user profile, not affected by move).

If none of these work

If Move option missing: App not movable: built-in apps (Calculator, Photos) and system-tied apps don’t move. For drive too small: target drive must have enough free space + 10% overhead. For locked apps: app running during move fails. Close app first. For BitLocker-encrypted target: encryption can slow move. Wait. For destination drive write-protected: remove write protection. For Win32 apps with built-in Move feature: Steam, Origin, Epic Games Launcher all have move features. Use those, don’t fight with junctions. For Xbox / Game Pass games: separate Xbox app. Use Xbox app’s Move feature.

Bottom line: Settings → Apps → Installed apps → three-dot menu → Move → pick destination drive. Set default install location via Storage settings for future apps. Use third-party tools or game launchers for Win32 apps.