Recipe 4.4. Changing the Default Location for Installing Applications

Problem

You want to change the default directory that programs are installed to from the directory C:\Program Files to another directory or drive.

Solution

Using the Registry

Run the Registry Editor and go to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\ProgramFilesDir. By default, the value will be C:\Program Files. Edit the value to any valid drive or folder, and Windows will use that new location as the default installation directory for new programs. You'll have to reboot for the change to take effect.

Discussion

Changing the default location for installing applications will change the default location selected when you install an application and it prompts for the destination folder. Make sure that you have a good reason for changing the default location of the default installation folder, because many programs expect to be in the Program Files folder. If you have a second or third drive on your PC and want programs to be installed into that drive, consider creating a Program Files folder on that drive, and using that as the default installation folder.

See Also

MS KB 175037, "How to Change the Default Location of Mail and News Folders"