EdgeはCドライブに結構スペースを取っています。

Chromeもそうです。

Perplexityに聞いてみた

Is there any browser which can be installed on other drives?

Most mainstream browsers—including Microsoft Edge, Google Chrome, and Mozilla Firefox—do not natively support installation to a drive other than C through their standard installers. By default, both the application files and user data (cache, profiles, etc.) are stored on the system drive (usually C), and there is no official option during installation to choose a different drive for either the program or its data[7][6][5].

However, there are workarounds to achieve this:

1. Using Third-Party App Migration Tools

• Tools like EaseUS Todo PCTrans or Qiling Disk Master allow you to move installed browsers (including Edge, Chrome, and Firefox) from the C drive to another drive. These tools handle both program files and related data, updating shortcuts and registry entries so the browser continues to function normally[6][5].
• This method is user-friendly and doesn't require manual intervention with symbolic links or junctions.

2. Windows “Move” Feature (for some browsers)

• Some browsers installed via the Microsoft Store or as UWP apps (like certain versions of Edge or Brave) can be moved using the Windows "Apps & features" settings:
  • Go to Settings > Apps > Apps & features, select the browser, and click Move to choose a new drive[1].
• Note: This option is not available for all browsers or all installation types.

3. Manual Method: Symbolic Links (Junctions)

• For browsers based on Chromium (Chrome, Edge, Brave), you can install the browser as usual, then move its data folder to another drive and create a symbolic link (junction) from the original location to the new one[7][2].
• This requires some command-line work but is effective for redirecting large data/cache folders.

Important Limitations

• Program Files: Even if you move the application files, most browsers will still store user data (profiles, cache) on the C drive by default unless you use symbolic links or migration tools[7][2][5].
• Updates: Moving browsers manually or with symbolic links may cause issues with automatic updates, as some updaters expect the files to be on the system drive[2].
• Not Fully Portable: Browsers are not fully portable; some registry entries and dependencies may remain on C.

Summary Table

In conclusion:
No major browser allows direct installation to a non-system drive by default, but you can use third-party migration tools or symbolic links to move browsers and their data to another drive[6][5][7][2].

[1] https://community.brave.com/t/move-browser-to-another-drive/447088
[2] https://www.reddit.com/r/brave_browser/comments/148eav8/is_there_any_way_to_install_brave_in_another_drive/
[3] https://www.techpowerup.com/forums/threads/installing-internet-browser-onto-a-secondary-drive.176896/
[4] https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum/all/partitioned-hard-drive-to-load-google-on/8d0f57c6-d8c1-41f8-b986-fff22e0371d1
[5] https://www.idiskhome.com/resource/databackup/change-chrome-ie-edge-firefox-location-to-another-hard-drive.shtml
[6] https://www.easeus.com/pc-transfer/change-chrome-ie-edge-firefox-location-to-another-hard-drive.html?srsltid=AfmBOooiK5au04yfoGajrjtO7LSKtBNth_lkegcklE6Tjg7zxxzgrC-k
[7] https://www.hongkiat.com/blog/install-chrome-different-drive-windows-10/
[8] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tMT3p_N38JM
[9] https://community.brave.com/t/how-to-install-brave-on-other-drives-other-than-c/552235
[10] https://support.google.com/chrome/thread/165572570/is-it-possible-to-install-and-put-all-chrome-data-to-a-different-location-other-than-c
[11] https://forums.opera.com/topic/23195/how-to-install-the-opera-browser-to-other-drives
[12] https://h30434.www3.hp.com/t5/Notebook-Software-and-How-To-Questions/put-hard-drive-in-different-machine-now-the-chrome-browser/td-p/7274579
[13] https://support.mozilla.org/mk/questions/1449842
[14] https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum/all/i-need-to-move-ie-and-edge-data-to-a-new-drive-how/f9cee67e-3d9c-4de1-ae0f-a10f0e6006a4
[15] https://support.google.com/drive/answer/2375082?hl=en-IE
[16] https://support.google.com/drive/answer/2375082?hl=en&co=GENIE.Platform%3DDesktop

Why most browsers do not natively support installation to a drive other than C?

Most browsers do not natively support installation to a drive other than C due to a combination of technical, compatibility, and user experience reasons:

• Operating System Conventions: On Windows, the C drive is the default system drive where applications are expected to be installed. Many system-level components, libraries, and user data folders are hardcoded or expected to reside on C, ensuring consistent behavior and compatibility across different setups[5][6][8].

• Simplified Support and Updates: Installing to the default location streamlines support, troubleshooting, and updates. Browser developers can assume a standard file path, reducing the risk of failed updates or corrupted installations due to non-standard locations[5][6].

• Permissions and Security: The C drive, especially the Program Files directory, has specific security permissions that help protect applications from unauthorized changes. Installing elsewhere could expose the browser to higher security risks or require more complex permission management.

• Legacy and Third-Party Dependencies: Some browser components, plugins, or third-party integrations may expect the browser to be in a standard location. Non-standard installations can break these dependencies or cause unpredictable behavior.

• User Data Management: Even if application files could be installed elsewhere, most browsers store user data (profiles, cache, settings) in system-defined locations within the user's profile on the C drive for consistency and backup compatibility[5][6].

These factors make it simpler and more reliable for browser vendors to restrict native installation options to the system drive. While technically possible to install or move browsers to other drives using advanced methods, this is not officially supported due to the potential for increased complexity and support issues.

[1] https://www.reddit.com/r/chrome/comments/dyypmy/what_is_the_minimum_hard_drive_space_requirement/
[2] https://www.gwsmedia.com/articles/how-internet-system-requirements-have-changed-3
[3] https://support.google.com/chrome/a/answer/7100626
[4] https://support.google.com/drive/answer/2375082?co=GENIE.Platform%3DDesktop
[5] https://www.findmysoft.com/news/system-requirements-for-today-s-most-popular-browsers/
[6] https://www.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/121.0/system-requirements/
[7] https://docs.octobrowser.net/en/start/system-requirements/
[8] https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/internet-explorer-system-requirements-03a792fd-37e8-73c8-aca0-2bf1edfafcfe

cmdで以下のコマンドを実行し、EdgeのキャッシュをEドライブに移動しました。

move "C:\Users\zzxia\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Edge\User Data\Default\Cache" "E:\AppData\Edge\"
mklink /d "C:\Users\zzxia\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Edge\User Data\Default\Cache" "E:\AppData\Edge\Cache"
move "C:\Users\zzxia\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Edge\User Data\Default\Code Cache" "E:\AppData\Edge\"
mklink /d "C:\Users\zzxia\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Edge\User Data\Default\Code Cache" "E:\AppData\Edge\Code Cache"