Run graphics programs from external drive?

[JayElDee]

The internal 256gb ssd on my iMac (Retina 5K, 27-inch, 2017) is running out of space.
I bought a Samsung 1tb external thunderbolt to shift some of the load to it, freeing space on my internal.
I copied my Lightroom Classic app to the external and all seems fine. Before I go farther into moving apps...is it ok to run Photoshop, Topaz programs, other adobe apps from an external or is that asking for issues? Lightroom seems to be running just as fast (faster?) from the external than the internal, all settings saved, etc.
Once moved and functioning I would delete the apps from my internal, giving me the space I want.
Proceed or be wary and TIA
John

 

[chrfr]

The internal 256gb ssd on my iMac (Retina 5K, 27-inch, 2017) is running out of space.
I bought a Samsung 1tb external thunderbolt to shift some of the load to it, freeing space on my internal.
I copied my Lightroom Classic app to the external and all seems fine. Before I go farther into moving apps...is it ok to run Photoshop, Topaz programs, other adobe apps from an external or is that asking for issues? Lightroom seems to be running just as fast (faster?) from the external than the internal, all settings saved, etc.
Once moved and functioning I would delete the apps from my internal, giving me the space I want.
Proceed or be wary and TIA
John

You will not likely be successful in just manually moving apps to the external drive; apps like Photoshop install a lot of things into the Applications folder and elsewhere.
I would look at moving media files over to the external and leaving your apps on the internal disk, or installing macOS on the external drive and running the computer from there with all your apps installed on the external.

 

[maverick100]

I would leave the Apps in the Application folder and move all the data files to the External.

Example: My TV and Music Library is over 12 tb. It stored on an 18tb external drive and all the apps that I use are stored in the Application folder on the internal Hd.

 

[JayElDee]

You will not likely be successful in just manually moving apps to the external drive; apps like Photoshop install a lot of things into the Applications folder and elsewhere.
I would look at moving media files over to the external and leaving your apps on the internal disk, or installing macOS on the external drive and running the computer from there with all your apps installed on the external.

That is exactly what I did. I copied and pasted the apps. I did some work on LR, from the external, and it ran fine. I only opened PS and it seemed ok also. All of my media files are already on external drives, so none to move from the internal.
Your concern is exactly mine, ie, "apps like Photoshop install a lot of things into the Applications folder and elsewhere." At least with lightroom, thus far, it doesn't seem to be an issue, so maybe it is still able to access those files installed elsewhere, or maybe adobe changed their installs minimizing or eliminating the far flung files?? or maybe once I'd delete the original install of LR, problems would appear? Probably a good idea to run this by the Adobe forum. But, appreciate the timely response justifying my concern.
edit
Later... Just got off of chat with adobe. Yes, it can be done (maybe), BUT...
All presets will have to be reinstalled, there may be permission issues, and they recommend putting their apps on the internal.
Sounds like a real possibility of living in computer hell for some time.
Going the more expensive option of replacing the internal and cloning the original to it would help preserve my sanity.
Thanks

 

[gilby101]

Sounds like a real possibility of living in computer hell for some time.

I agree.

Leave your apps on the internal drive. Get data (large stuff) moved to the external. For example, with LR, make sure you move the catalog to the external SSD as well as the photos.

Use an app like DaisyDisk (not free but the best) or OmniDiskSweeper (free) to discover what is using most space and what might be worth moving.

In the long term you should consider moving your whole home folder to the external. (I would do this with a 256GB internal, but have not done so with my 512GB internal). But if you do, make sure you have an alternative admin user with its home folder on internal - just in case you have problems with external SSD and need to take remedial action or (I hope not) recover from backup.