Computer Hope

To fix another problem, I had to copy a backup of Windows XP onto another partition. Later I will tell you why. But the issue now is that an important program thinks it is on drive C: but it is not. I don't think  install  it again. There is a limitation the number of times I can activate it. So I need to resolve the drive C: thing.

Can you understand my dilemma?

There is an alternative, but I was hopping to avoid that.

Is there some way to make XP be on drive C: without a new install?

No...

How on earth did it get moved off of C: ? ?

Technically it is possible to change the Mounted drive letter of the boot partition.

Of course, then it will likely be unbootable and you'll need to reinstall anyway.

If you have something else as C: you could create a symbolic link so that the program in question thinks it is on C:.

If for some reason another drive or partition has the boot loader, the XP system will not give itself the C: drive letter.

In  this age of Windows 10, this is old stuff I know. But I really need my Dragon Naturally Speaking and I can not install it again. Nuance has a rather Draconian copyright protection plan, after a number of re-installs even on the same machine, it will refuse to work nice. I have one working install o f DNS on a backup XP drive.

I was hoping to use it on the same physical hard drive. But DNS thinks it must be on drive C: instead of drive F: and I can not remember what the procedure is t to  fix that. Years ago there was something in the MS knowledge base.

I am not sure is the assign tool would work.

Still not sure why you are insisting on having 1 physical HDD...

I thought from last weeks Post you had moved Win 10 over to it's own HDD...

I did it and I did not likest for mechanical reasons. Makes the case very crowded.
Patio, I just do not like having two HDD inside the case at one time.

The 500 GB HDD has enough room for three OS.
But you are right, separate HDD for XP is much easier.

Must be a tiny case if 2 HDD's make it seem cluttered and filled up...

Get a larger case.

I pull em off tree lawns all the time on garbage day.