Change Default Directory for new program installs

[bozo]

I just did this on my own machine, but now I want to do the same thing on a friends...for the life of me, I can't find where I found this info. I thought it was one of the daily email "Tip of the Day"

How do I change the default location for new program installs, to a partition & directory of my choice?

[amose]

Change your Program Files Location


I can see Microsoft's logic in trying to install everything to a Program Files folder, but I actually hate it. My preference is to install every software title in its own folder on a partition which is separate from the operating system. In any case, if you use the Program Files folder and let programs install themselves by default there, then you can at least change the location of your Program Files folder. By default, it is placed on the same drive as Windows. I like to keep Windows separate from my software so that I can make a backup image of Windows by itself. To place Program Files in a location of your choice, open up your registry editor and navigate to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE > SOFTWARE > Microsoft > Windows > CurrentVersion. You will see a key for "ProgramFilesDir". You can edit that registry key to point to a directory of your choice. From then on, the installation wizards of most software will, by default, ask to install themselves to this location.

20.1 tip

[Doobie]

Originally Posted by bozo I just did this on my own machine, but now I want to do the same thing on a friends...for the life of me, I can't find where I found this info. I thought it was one of the daily email "Tip of the Day" How do I change the default location for new program installs, to a partition & directory of my choice?

If you want an easier way just download tweakUI from microsoft website or download.com... It has an option to change default path for programs, documents, images. etc....

[corkscrew22]

Originally Posted by amose Change your Program Files Location I can see Microsoft's logic in trying to install everything to a Program Files folder, but I actually hate it. My preference is to install every software title in its own folder on a partition which is separate from the operating system. In any case, if you use the Program Files folder and let programs install themselves by default there, then you can at least change the location of your Program Files folder. By default, it is placed on the same drive as Windows. I like to keep Windows separate from my software so that I can make a backup image of Windows by itself. To place Program Files in a location of your choice, open up your registry editor and navigate to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE > SOFTWARE > Microsoft > Windows > CurrentVersion. You will see a key for "ProgramFilesDir". You can edit that registry key to point to a directory of your choice. From then on, the installation wizards of most software will, by default, ask to install themselves to this location. 20.1 tip

Have you had a problem with outlook express not starting after using this tip?

[bozo]

Originally Posted by Doobie If you want an easier way just download tweakUI from microsoft website or download.com... It has an option to change default path for programs, documents, images. etc....

Doobie...I have TweakUI, but I do not see where theoption is for changing default program install paths...could you point me in the right direction.

[Doobie]

what version of windows do you have... the gui is different for win9x machines and xp?

[amose]

Originally Posted by corkscrew22 Have you had a problem with outlook express not starting after using this tip?

I answered it here

[bozo]

Originally Posted by Doobie what version of windows do you have... the gui is different for win9x machines and xp?

XP pro

[corkscrew22]

xp pro sp2

[Doobie]

check out the screenshot..

[bozo]

Thanks Doobie!
A follow up question...how do I change the "My Documents" to another partition? ie D:\ My Documents

[glc]

Right click on My Documents, properties, move.