***Can I change where Windows XP defaultly installs programs??***

[MrChipMuthabored]

Can someone tell me the registry key where I can change the default program install folder to "d:" instead of c:?

 

[wjsulliv]

Don't know about the registry change, but you can usually do it during install.

 

[Barnaby W. Füi]

no hes not talking about where windows installs.

programs dont rely on windows to figure out where to install, most of the time you will have to edit it yourself everytime. but you can use tweakUI to change the location of, for example, folders like "program files" and "common files" and whatnot, and that will make things like win media player and various things -not- install on C:, i'm to lazy and careless, i just change C: to E: every time and leave it at that.

 

[JellyBaby]

This is one area where software is really stupid. How hard would it be for the OS and/or installer apps to learn where we want to place our software?

 

[NogginBoink]

<< no hes not talking about where windows installs.

programs dont rely on windows to figure out where to install, >>


Yes, they do. According to Windows logo guidelines, programs should default their installation to the Program Files folder returned by (I believe) a call to SHGetSpecialFolderPath() passing in a CSIDL of CSIDL_PROGRAM_FILES.

By default, this is of course C:\program files.

As far as I can tell, this is hardcoded into the OS. There's no way to change this that's supported.

You could probably find where in the registry this is pulled from and change that registry entry, but I have no idea what side effects you'll run into.

I too wish MS would change this behavior.

Until then, I suggest your best course of action is simply to edit the install path as you install each application.

(Don't try hard links, either. I tried that and have inconsisten results. It was a good idea, tho...)

-Noggin

 

[earthman]

Not all programs make that call. Alot seem to want to install in the root folder for some reason. The usual Windows default is Program Files, but where else would it be? Thats where 90 percent of people install their programs anyway.

 

[MrChipMuthabored]

Well, I just wanted to do this b/c I built a system for my sister, and I don't want her installing all her programs in C:\Program Files. 'Cuz, since she doesn't know any better I know she'll keep the defaults and won't think to change the path.