If I format and reinstall my OS on my SSD, could I still access programs/games from my HDDs?

[JooJoos]

Currently I'm using a 128gb 850pro SSD as my OS drive along with 2TB HDD (videos) and 1TB HDD (games).
However, after using the computer for 3+ years, my SSD has been filled with junks and no matter how much I try to delete useless programs and clearing out temp folders and etc through CCleaner, I have <10gb left.
That is why I am currently thinking about formatting and reinstalling Win10.
If I do this, will I be able to play games and other applications that is already installed on my HDDs?
Or will I have to reinstall all my games/applications along with the OS and various drivers?

 

[Herc08]

In theory, as long as your programs are on your HDDs, then you should be good. However, everything else would have to be the same (i.e. name of the computer). To really be sure, re-installing your games will be the best way to make sure everything else is working. Drivers will need to be installed on the SSD since that is where Windows is.

 

[USAFRet]

Currently I'm using a 128gb 850pro SSD as my OS drive along with 2TB HDD (videos) and 1TB HDD (games).
However, after using the computer for 3+ years, my SSD has been filled with junks and no matter how much I try to delete useless programs and clearing out temp folders and etc through CCleaner, I have <10gb left.
That is why I am currently thinking about formatting and reinstalling Win10.
If I do this, will I be able to play games and other applications that is already installed on my HDDs?
Or will I have to reinstall all my games/applications along with the OS and various drivers?

Steam games will probably be fine. Just tell the new Steam client you install after the OS of that location on the HDD.
Origin games, maybe.
Other applications, reinstall them.
Other static files, no problem.


(and as an aside, this is why I always say a 120GB SSD is too small)

 

[captaincharisma]

some programs/games need to create entries in the windows registry to work properly so depending on the program you may have to reinstall it after doing a clean update

 

[robert600]

If re-installing your programs and fiddling about with a new install of win10 to get it as you like it seems too onerous ... you could pick up a new 240 SSD and clone your current SSD to it. You'd still have those junk files I guess but with all that extra room ... would it matter? All your apps and games installed on your HDD would run fine.