In our previous articles, we showed how to change the default install location of apps in Windows 10 as well as how to change the default install location of desktop programs. In this guide, we will see how to move an app installed from Store to another drive, SD card, or USB drive on a Windows 10 PC.
As you likely know, with default settings, when you install an app from the Store, the app is installed in the system drive (drive where Windows 10 is installed). By default, Store apps are stored under Users\YourUserName \AppData\Local\Packages directory.
Move apps installed from Store to another drive, SD card or USB drive in Windows 10
If the drive where Windows 10 is installed running out of disk space or is low on disk space, you can consider moving apps installed from Windows Store to another drive, USB drive, or SD card to free up some disk space. Since Windows 10 officially supports moving apps installed from Store to another drive, you can move apps without any issues.
Given that Windows 10 allows changing the default install location of Store apps as well, this feature makes it possible to have all apps on a drive other than the system drive.
As said earlier in this article, this method can only be used to move apps that have been installed from the Windows Store and can’t be used to move default apps like Photos, Groove Music, and Edge that are part of the operating system.
Also, this method doesn’t support moving traditional desktop programs like Microsoft Office and Internet Explorer. In order to move desktop applications, please refer to our how to move installed programs to another drive in Windows 10.
Steps to move Store apps in Windows 10
Follow the given below directions to move an app installed from Store to a different drive, USB drive, or SD card in Windows 10.
Step 1: If you plan to move apps to a USB drive or SD card instead of a different partition or drive on the internal drive, please connect the USB drive or SD card, and make sure that the USB drive or SD card is appearing in This PC.
Step 2: Open up the Settings app either by clicking its icon in the left pane of the Start menu or using the Windows logo + I hotkey.
Step 3: Once Settings launched, go to Apps > Apps & features page to view all installed apps from Store as well as traditional desktop programs.
Step 5: Click on the app that you want to move to another drive to see Move and Uninstall buttons.
NOTE: You can’t move traditional desktop programs using this method. Also, this method doesn’t support moving apps that are part of Windows 10. For instance, you can’t move default apps like 3D Builder, Alarms & Clock, App connector, Calculator, Camera, Films & TV, Groove Music, Maps, Mail, Money, News, OneNote, People, Phone Companion, Photos, and Store apps.
Step 6: Click Move button, then select the drive where you want to move the app to and then click the Move button. You will see Moving text when the app is being moved.
If you ever want to move back the app to its original drive, click on the app again, click Move, select the system drive, and then click the Move button.
Let us know if you have any issues.
Nishbot says
So how DO you move OneNote to an SD card?
Manuel Herrera says
I was able to move sketchbook but I downloaded gimp (an editing software) and that one only gives me the option to modify or uninstall. I have a tablet and pc hybrid but it has most internals of a tablet so storage is limited. If you can help please let me know.
Yeman says
It moves, but it just moves the folders. I tried moving a game, but it just moved all its files. So I couldn’t just plug the USB into the computer and play a game. It’s bs
mik says
Bullshit. windows does NOT allow to “move” there is no “move” button only one button appears “uninstall” . You’re most probably giving advices about windows 10 using a windows 9 , tipic.
Hector says
In order to move Apps to an external Sd Card in Windows 10 is required prior to format the Sd Card using the NTFS fille system
Kierra says
I followed all the steps and there is no move option at all and it doesn’t allow me to download anything to my sd card.
Olivia says
I did these exact steps, and it’s not letting me move files that I downloaded onto my Windows 10 laptop to my SD card, or when I download something, it doesn’t download to my SD card as I set it to do.
John says
No move button appears so for me this is a waste of time. Why does it not appear.
I tried 7-ZIP and BBC iPlayer downloads. Both installed by me as applications from exe downloads.