By default, Windows installs all the programs in C:Program Files or C:Program Files (x86) directory depending on the type of Windows 10 and program you are installing.
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You might want to change the default installation directory if your “C” drive is running out of free space. While some programs allow you select the install drive and directory, most programs don’t offer the option to select installation drive. For instance, setup of antivirus programs like Kaspersky Internet Security and Norton don’t offer an option to select the default installation directory during the product installation.
If you want to change the default installation location of programs in Windows 10/8/7, there is an easy workaround. You just need to edit the registry to change the default installation directory or path. And if you want to move installed programs, please refer to our how to move installed programs to another drive in Windows 10 guide.
To start with this guide, make sure you have enough free space in your new directory which you are going to make as default one.
You need to do a small registry change in order to change your default installation directory as follows:
Changing default installation directory
IMPORTANT: We recommend you create a manual system restore point or backup registry so that you can easily restore original settings if required.
WARNING: This is an advanced guide. So, proceed at your own risk.
Step 1: Type “regedit” in Start menu/taskbar search box or in Run dialog box and hit enter key to continue.
Step 2: Navigate to the following registry key in the Registry Editor:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESOFTWAREMicrosoftWindowsCurrentVersion
Step 3: On the right-side, locate the value named “ProgramFilesDir” and change the default value “C:Program Files” to your new directory path (address).
Next, find ProgramFileDir (x86), double-click on it and change it value data to a location where you want to install programs by default.
Step 4: Finally, close the registry editor and reboot your system to apply the change. You might need to restart your computer to apply the change. Download a program and try to install it and check if it’s installed in the new installation directory.
If you are experiencing any issues, please restore Windows 10 to an earlier date using the previously created restore point.
PS: This tweak should work fine with Windows XP and Vista as well.
Don’t forget to check out how to move installed apps to another drive in Windows 10 guide.
Hello Mac,
Thank you for your response.
I would suggest you to try following steps and check if it helps.
a. Press Windows + R keys, type regedit in run Window and press Enter.
b. Locate the following registry key location:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESOFTWAREMicrosoftWindowsCurrentVersionAppx
c. In the right pane, find PackageRoot, double-click it and change the default value data to the location where you want.
d. Close Registry Editor and restart the computer to save the effects.
Important Notes:
All previously installed apps are located in the original location and will continue to work without any issues. If you want to change the location of those apps and want to move them to the new location then just uninstall those apps and re-install them from Windows Store.
Serious problems might occur if you modify the registry incorrectly. Therefore, make sure that you follow these steps carefully. For added protection, back up the registry before you modify it. Then, you can restore the registry if a problem occurs. For more information about how to back up and restore the registry, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:
I hope this information helps.
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This question already has an answer here:
I have an SSD drive with windows 8.1 and another regular SATA drive for none OS data.
I want to put the
Program Files and Program Files (x86) folders on the SATA drive to preserve room and extend the life span of the SSD drive.
I've edited the Registry keys at
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESOFTWAREMicrosoftWindowsCurrentVersion
I moved all the program files folders to the other drive and rebooted the machine.
Unfortunately nothing seem to have changed, new program still go by default to the C:Program Files which is on the SSD drive.
Any idea what am I doing wrong?
aviranaviran
marked as duplicate by Ƭᴇcʜιᴇ007, Heptite, Kevin Panko, Excellll, user3463 Jan 31 '14 at 22:02
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1 Answer
I would suggest not moving program files. Like the comments suggest that is a bad idea. That said there is no rule that you need to install programs to program files.
The easy answer here is just change the default install path to your secondary SATA drive and go from there. That's how I run my machine, I put the OS and some basic common use utilities/programs (browser, AV, etc) on the SSD and all programs (games..) go onto the SATA drive.
I guess I dont see the value added in moving program files.
JamesJames
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Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged windows-8hard-drivessdwindows-registrywindows-8.1 or ask your own question.How-To Geek Forums / Windows 8(Solved) - Setting up windows 8 to use a dual hard drive.(14 posts)
I just put windows 8 on a family member's computer. I noticed that they had two hard drives in their computer, one for the system and one for everything else, and i have never worked with that before. How so i set up windows 8 to use one drive for the os and the other everything else?
You can do it two ways. Go into BIOS and make the hard disk used for Windows first in the hard disk boot order. Then Save Changes in BIOS and reboot off the Windows 8 DVD. Proceed to install windows 8 to the proper disk. I would make note of the disk sizes just to be safe that you choose the right disk to install to.
Or if you aren't comfortable with the above simply disconnect the other hard disk used for data and install windows to the one left connected. When finished installing Windows make sure it boots ok then reconnect the other hard disk. Just make sure you set the windows hard disk up as disk 0 so it will boot with the second hard disk connected. Either method will work, however if inexperienced at partitioning and setting up multiple hard disks the second way is your best bet because you can't mess up or lose data with only one disk (the windows disk) connected for the installation.
I may have misunderstood your original post. Do you have Windows 8 already installed?
Yea I set up windows on the computer already basically the second drive is being used as a glorified flash drive. The only reason why I'm asking how to do this is that I have never worked with a computer with two HD's before.
The hard drive with the OS will be used to install applications and stuff, the second drive would be used for storing Data and the likes. e.g. Music, Photos and Office Stuff etc.
If you look in My Computer you should see two drives there, one will be marked with the OS, I've got two separate drives and one I use for the OS and the other for Storage of all my files and stuff, this way if the OS goes belly up you won't have to worry about all your doc's etc.
If the two disks are already showing in Windows Explorer it is already set up. Just put files on the 'glorified flash disk'. All windows system stuff including installed software will automatically go where windows is installed unless you tweak the settings..Maybe I don't understand what you mean by 'set it up.' Can you be more specific as to what you want to set up?
well i have heard of people having a small 50gb for just the os and everything else on the other. from what i gathered you would even have your program files on the second drive.
You can change the default installation directory to another partition/disk like this:
The installation of most software programs are set by default in the Program Files of C:. Below is a method of how to change installation of software into another directory on the same or different partition/disk.
* Select 'Run' from the Start menu. If you have Windows 8 hit the Windows key and type run. Montblanc serial number database. Select run by hitting Enter.
* Type regedit and click OK. * Scroll to the key: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE SOFTWARE> Microsoft> Windows> CurrentVersion * On the right window, double click on the key ProgramFilesDir and modify path in this key to the new path for the installation folder.
If you have a 64 bit version of windows make sure you edit the ProgramFilesDirx86 as well!
Ok listen up because it is real easy,
There are two way to address this issue. The first is to edit the registry for where the user files are stored and/or located. This method is well document in just about every other version of windows so I will not go into it here. If you cannot fine the registry keys via Google, I will look them up and post them to this form later.
The second method is to use the features of the windows library function that appeared in Windows 7 and above. I like this one the best. Created a user folder structure for documents, downloads, music, and pictures. In fact anything you want to organize.
How To Change The Default Hard Drive For Saving Documents And Apps In Windows 8
Then using the library features (right click and select properties) delete the original entries and create new one to the corresponding file location on the second hard drive. This works great for the output of the programs one uses. Like documents, music, pictures, and downloads.
I do not suggest using the second drive to install applications. Use the “C” drive to install applications and the second “D” drive to store the documents. Then create a backup image of the “C” drive and store it on an external hard drive in case you ever have to reload.
Then the only stuff you need to back up is the data on the second “D” drive. You only need to create a new system image when you add new software.
If you really want to protect your data, make the second “D” drive a RAID 1 for added protection.
I agree with the69rider about keeping keeping applications on C:. However since the OP asked 'about putting programs on the other drive I gave one explanation of how to do so. Being a linux user I believe in each user's right to customize as they see fit, even if I would not do such a thing myself.
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