C:\Program Files - Can I change the default?

  • Thread starter Thread starter Swedey
  • Start date Start date
S

Swedey

Can I change the default location that programs want to install to, without
always having to browse to my preferred location on another partition?
Every program wants to be in C:\Program Files unless I change the
installation location every time I install something.

Thanks,
Swedey
 
TweakUI is a popular program that will accomplish what you're looking for.
As always though, there is a reg hack:

Start - run - regedit

Browse to:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion

Highlight the CurrentVersion folder on the left - on the keys that appear on
the right - find ProgramFilesDir - its value should read C:\Program Files.
Change this value to whatever you want. Keep ProgramFilesPath the same.

Be careful about simply moving current apps to your new folder - installed
apps have all kind of pointers, registry entries, .ini files, etc. they need
to work properly. Moving the app to a new folder could easily "break" the
application, forcing you to reinstall.

Also, keep in mind, not applications respect this path (I assume it's hard
coded in some, and doesn't take it from registry at all), so it won't always
work.

Cheers.

Patrick Pitre
 
TweakUI is a popular program that will accomplish what you're looking
for. As always though, there is a reg hack:

Start - run - regedit
Click to expand...

<snip>

Thanks Patrick, the hack worked. But since Outlook Express was installed
in C:\Program Files by default, it won't start now for some reason. I
tried uninstalling and reinstalling it through Add/Remove Windows
Components , but it still won't work. Is there a site on Microsoft.com
where I can just download the install file and tell it where to install?
It's looking like unless I let the program files directory path remain on
C:\Program Files, Outlook Express is going to refuse to operate.

Thanks,
Swedey
 
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