Change Default Program Files Installation Directory Location
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- Опубликовано: 3 мар 2016
- Change Default Program Files Installation Directory Location
If you have a SSD or small Hard Drive with very little space and you want to install your programs to another Hard Drive, then watch my video on how to do this., its simple and easy to do and will install all your programs to another hard drive of your choice.
I will be in Changing the Default Program Files Installation Directory Location in Windows 10. But this works in any Microsoft operating system.
We will be editing the registry and ProgramFilesDir, so its a good idea to make a backup of your data and registry before you begin.
Open Regedit and navigate to the following key:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion
On the right pane window, look for the value ProgramFilesDir and ProgramFilesDir (x86) these two option are for Windows 32-bit or 64-bit.
Now click on ProgramFilesDir and change the Value data to what ever you new drive letter is. Example: C:\Program Files and change to D:\Program Files.
Click Ok. Exit. job done.
Need help with your computer problems? join my forum for help and support.
www.briteccomputers.co.uk/forum
Tip to everybody who want to use this tutorial: DON'T CARELESSLY TRANSFER ANY C: FILES AS MOST OF IT ARE PART OF YOUR OPERATING SYSTEM!!! This is the reason why the computer stops working as the OS will get corrupted. Downloads files and some others are safe to transfer as it is not part of your system.
I guess that's why windows file explorer restricts access to the OS files
For the most part you can take all the other steps except the last one with the registry. If your programs stop working reverse the last step
@@Mike343ful i originally came here for setting up my nephews pc so he can use the 128gb boot drive and as he is 7 when installing stuff not have to change drive letter. I think it would be ok if it was set up this way from day 1
Damn. Judging by the comments, you should probably address the situation where people's PC stops working after doing this and make a tutorial on how to solve that.
@Dominic Cañete You should have showed them how
Fucked Up Alot Of My Files And Had To Re-Set Their Paths And Really Fucked Me Over! Thanks Man, Just Wish I Read The Comments First
Yo, fuck off, that's how its meant to be done, YES, you need to reset their paths, oh well. BTW, Stop Typing Every Fucking Word With The First Letter Capitalized. Learn proper grammar, holy shit, it's 2017..
did the same to me
@@xxSparklySimmerxxChill Lmao
He Is Just Mad Because His Files Got Messed Up Asshole
Your comments on this guys made me laugh way to hard 😂 so funny
Orca? I wished too
With the latest Windows 10, this is very easy now.
Go into your settings, click on the search bar, type "default save location", and change the directory.
I have everything set to D but anything I install still defaults to C
thank you so much
life savior
• pazonk • same
ur the best
Brilliant. Just what I needed after SSD update. Thanks.
all my applications stopped working after this!!! for anyone reading, please don't try it!
to be honest yessss....chrome stops working, every time windows update its add some system program file in harddisk rather then the default C drive
..................Do only If you know how to fix every thing
I guess there's a reason some programs don't allow you to choose custom installation.
Lol
How to fix it? Reformat?
Idk but my one drive consistently appearing on my screen after I boot my PC. I can't even use my PC now it's destroyed by that setting
good thing i read the comments bar first
If ur doing it, just stop at the system registry so you won't make shit.
Same to you bro
can someone help me, i accidentally followed what he did and did this about two months ago and now i cant update my pc because of it, i wonder if i undo what he did will it work again? please help me
Thx
I had to reset my pc for it to be usable again.
I'm lucky I changed them back to C drive before entering thanks to the comments. I was just about to close my program lmao. Stay safe guys
These comments are scaring me
Thank god I read comments first
OMG!!! you are my HERO m8!!
For a CRAZY long time my PC keeps telling me to update and its always been full on the C-drive and now i finally got some room in there!
This works fine btw, however for windows updates you are gonna have to temp change it back to C, or else it wont update.
Thanks for the video mate. I recently asked for something like this on the forums. It's good to see it explained in a video. Its a shame windows doesnt give a proper option to click, especially because a lot of people are using 2+ drive setup these days.
+Bowdon Yeah I made this video because you asked on the forum, hope it helps. have a great weekend.
+Britec09 It as helped. I just changed it and all is good.. have a good weekend too.
@@Britec09 hi can tutorial change regedit settings to default
Thank you. I knew you could do this in the registry, but wasn't sure where the file path was at. I have Windows 10 Pro installed on my 256 GB NVME SSD and I wanted to direct all my programs to install on my 1 TB Samsung SSD.
Thank you so much! :) Worked perfectly for me, now my steam games will update to my other hard drive that isn't full
Well made video and of great help to me! Thank you for putting all this effort into helping with this problem. You riggity rock!
Thank you
I think the best use for this is if you have a program that forces you to install it to C: when you don't have space, so change the registry to a drive you do have space, install the program, then immediately switch the registry back.
ALWAYS... Before changing anything in the registry, at the top of Regedit you will find the option to be able to back up your registry. Do so on a USB stick for your own peace of mind. To restore from the back up, just double click on the USB backup.
It will restore your computer back to the way it was before.
The comments scared me..
me too
me too
Me too !
me too
me too
I watched 3 videos before I watched this, but this one is the first that truly helped me. Bug thanks. Thumbs
Be very careful when messing with registry, this can corrupt your windows and make your computer malfunction
omfg youre a lifesaver... i was sitting an hour trying to install my oculus to another drive but the run command didnt work. then i found your video and i changed 3 values in the registry and now it worked :D
@@semihkorkmaz4490 i forgot man.. i think i just changed all of them to where i wanted to install it and then i changed it back afterwards
@@semihkorkmaz4490 ye you need to change the values to make it the drive you have space on
thank you... every other video I watched failed to help with the problem but your method worked immediately after changing the values
Thanks a lot for real, 3 months i was really really lost and now you just fix my problems in 5mn.. Thanks
It's weird that still in Windows 10, this isn't a configurable option.
It kinda is but it also kinda dosent work. This is a better option
when installing things you can chose different drives and click on the drive you want it does in fact work
Solution for problem *"windows cant find PROGRAM.exe"*
Lets suppose u changed program files directory to *Drive X* . Now copy program files folder from *Drive C* to *Drive X* .
Now other programs as well as *regedit* will run just fine
but when i do it the transfer window is up for ages and stays at 0% forever
Great Vid! Extremely useful THANK YOU!
Thank you so much!! Exactly what what I needed! Best How To out there!!
btw no need to all this with the new update all you have to do is type on the search bar " default save location" and you can change it from there gl!
Does that work? Without any problems? If so this saves me the trouble thanks!
I did that but when I still download things etc it stills goes over my local drive
@@R0UGE-LE4DER I guess it shouldn't be a problem as it is supported by Windows.
yep now i cant do anything on my pc thanks alot!!! DNT TRY THIS
You really shouldn't be messing with the registry if you don't know what you're doing.
what happened exactly? I have changed it to D, but then i reverted them to C and nothing seem to have happened.
@@Ali_Alhawaj most of the files i installed had to be re downloaded and a lot of unexpected stuff stopped working all of the sudden. I don't have any problems with it anymore, I guess I was just in shock at the time of writing because i ihad just newly bought my pc. Just jnow what you're doing when you try this and don't panic like I did and it should be alright. cheers man
you'll have to redownload all the files or copy them to your other drive before you do this registry change
Cheers mate works great!! All programs now installing to my D drive!! Top bloke!!
Thanks had to do this since chrome didn't ask where it would be installed, so now I am ready for programs in the future that don't ask
Thank you so much I've been searching this for days and I found your video and it helps me a lot. Thank you
If you are not tech savvy, or have any critical information stored on your PC, do not follow this guide, or any guide that asks you to type, "regedit". The registry editor is some dangerous stuff!
If you want it back, follow the same tutorial but set the drive to C:\ again.
If you don't know what doing "regedit" does or is, you are not tech savvy enough.
It seems like some people don't know this.... (look down)
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I need help... I accidentally did this and now I am screwed I think
Yo I did what it said in the video and I can't even get back into regedit. I've fucked my pc, I've lost my 1tb B drive and I can't even access anything in my c drive. I need help. If I try to go into regedit, it says that it doesnt exist. I can't access anything except all of my games + MS Edge
Another great Windows tip. Thank you.
Thank you, for I always look for you on youtube for your precise well explained videos on how to install, fix, reboot,transfer...etc... And as always, follow your directive religiously (no pund intended!!!). Many thanks to you and keep it up. ☺
So I had the same issue most people had here. DESKTOP =D DRIVE.
SOLUTION
Right click on the D drive, Properties, Location, Restore to default--- Pop up about transfer files, Click NO..... This worked for me.
thanks so much i thought i was screwed you are a life saver
Thank you. I love you
I can’t fixit
Comments scared me:P But I love to try and tried, it's working guys
You changed the Letter C to D or whatever your drive letter is and what did you do then? Restart or what does this do?
thanks a lot, I had no space left on my c drive
THANK YOU SIR, I HAVE BEEN ABLE TO FOLLOW YOUR GUIDANCE TO SOLVE MY PROBLEM. GOD BLESS YOU N TEAM. REGARDS FROM AUSTRALIA.
This kind of process to change the location of program files is only applicable after a clean format of your system. Unfortunately if you already have your programs installed before you do this it will only break the linkage of your other apps. The best way if you already have installed your application is linking them to another drive and to safely move that program to the other drive.
be sure to make a backup of the registry (as he says in the video at 3:36), then if causes an issue you can restore previous registry
This works fine. I didn't have any issues. Now i am using my 60gb sd card as my storage for my programs in my 32gb netbook. Thanks for the video!
When u did this process, did u already have programms other than windows apps installed?
Thank you very much! Worked a treat :).
ANYONE WHO MESSED JUST GO TO SAFE BOOT MODE AND CHANGE THE THINGS BACK FROM REGISTRY
Janvar Pitelkov HOW?!
UNDERRATED COMMENT..!!!!
THANKSS BRO FOR UR HELP...
How do I under the changes
Thanks man thats help me a lot tu figure it out my problem
You're welcome.
Thank you for this video! I see a lot of comments saying it broke my computer...What exactly is happening? I feel they don't realize the system is looking for their programs in a different folder. So some programs will not work, depending on where they were originally installed. This is what happened to me. So I suggest you uninstall the programs and reinstall them to the drive you want.
Then I saw a comment saying "Go into your settings, click on the search bar, type "default save location", and change the directory." - Easy for everyone!
Also before you install a program, most of them allow you to choose where to install it.
Legend! Thanks mate! This was driving me crazy!
LinusTechTips doesn't recommend messing with your registry, it is better to change the location manually every time you install. Changing the registry like he did may cause corruption to your Windows and will make it so that you will have to re-install Windows. Trust my comment.
unfortunately some stubborn apps does not give us the option of choosing the locations. Microsoft office (latest version) is one of them.
*READ THIS* DO NOT do this if you have ANY files on your current HDD/SSD this WILL delete ALL of your files on your C: Drive!!! Use sysprep if you want to transfer files to a second drive or do it by hand.
CoolBurnz Okay wait. So what If I just change the directory of only the download and desktop and documents to my hard drive from my ssd? Will it still make me re install windows?
You see I want to have my games and other programs on my hard drive while keeping the operating system and the boot to the ssd.
It doesnt delete them, it loses them. Just change it back to D:/ or whatever it was at originally, whether that'd be hard drive or SSD.. God damn dudes
ABSOLUTE BULLSHIT this moves and changes paths it DOES NOT delete files !!!!
Some files you CANNOT move as they are locked by the OS so you MUST boot with something like BART PE so that this can occur .
ok I need help I just did it and red the comments instantly redone it is there anything I can do to prevent that happening to me ? HELP brand new PC
Thank you Much....This was truly helpful...I have a laptop with a 32gb ssd as my local disk and was having trouble with software installs....Now it seems to be fixed....Thanks again.
Once u have done this ... then how can u save ???
Couldn't run AutoCad because my computer somehow thought all the files and data was on my F: eventhough they were on my G:, even the setup.exe wouldn't boot so that I could uninstall it... Ive been useing this video to change any F:\ lines to G:\ manually and I didn't belive it would but it did work! Thank you so much for this! :D
I have done this, changed the Chrome download to D and the windows storage all to D. It still downloads to C without giving me the option to pick a drive. Help?
Same :/
@@sfredheim Did you ever figure this out?
Elevated805 nope
Same
go to control panel/system/storage/change where new content is saved :)
Thanks for the upload. I've tried this before, but still my OS (win7 pro) installs by default to the C-drive. I changed it back cause all the shortcuts got mixed up, eventhough the targets were matching. So isn't there another line in REG I need to change? Also if you want to safe space, you might want to change the default folder for USER as well. I really want to make this work cause I want to run my OS from a 150gb 10.000rpm hdd instead of ssd. That is my solution for screen tearing. Suggestions on that are welcome, but I can say already I've tried a lot on trying to solve that issue and came up with the good old HDD. Problem solved. Anyway, look forward to some good tips. Keep up the spirit and spread the word, peace.
same here its not working for me
thank u so much finally a good vid....It's not destroying my pc
You rock as it worked perfectly and I was able to change the registry back as well.
Thank you.
How did you change it back?
Same way you changed it
I think this would have to be done on a fresh install because once you've changed that, it would begin to dump files for specific programs on to the D:\ when its root directory is already established on the C:\ which in effect would cause crashing, bad performance and situations where windows would not be able to locate parts of programs already installed. This does seem like a decent idea but I think people should be weary of trying this unless they're absolutely sure that they know what they're doing (lol).
That's what I'm doing before installing anything. Hopefully it works moving forward. Have you had any issues with this method?
@@nickm8651 Does it works?
any update?@@nickm8651
Thanks ma dude! Reallly helped, i was stuck on installing valorant aha
Thanks for the help, for anyone trying to manage space on their pc. Also changing the programs data dir is also important as well, it’ll prevent some installations from splitting between both drivers. If that seems to be a problem.
Thank you so much this was incredibly helpful!
im confusion when i closed the program nothing happened, the files stayed the same too.
u better copy first all of files from c program files and programfiles x86 and paste them on d new folders u just created so windows be able to work with the existing files till the new creation ones its extremely important
thanks man. You help a lot 👍
So helpful, Thank you so much !
this has completely screwed up my new PC by doing this.. im trying recovery now has been over 4 hrs to do 5%!
it's broken my pc. i did it and now my 23tb b drive has gone. i can't access any apps even on my c drive or d drive now it's completely fucked my pc.
This might work fine in fresh installs, however, if you already have some installed programs at C: program files and program file x64 folders they may break, after I changed the environment variables Outlook and Google Chrome stopped working, fortunatelly RegEdit still worked and I was able to restor the original ProgramFilesDir value to C: and that fixed the problem.
pls help how to do this
@@cosmo2465 follow the video, but in reverse: change "D" into "C"
Thanks, I already suspected this, I guess I just got to live with annoying software that refuses to let me install them on the D drive, everything screams for a place on the C drive
With this solution, I'm able to fix other automation issues, Thank you :)
Thank god comment section exists
Guys don't know if I Should Try This Some Of The Comments Scare Me 😂 Someone Said They Mess Up There PC lol 😆
Me too
This guy sounds like text to speech lol
Straightforward and easy to follow video, thanks. Can I delete the programme files off C drive? I want to keep my SSD as free as possible but obviously don't want to mess up my whole computer!
This tutorial work for me, to be safety create another partition to do this to avoid crash your files! thank you so much I am pro software user...
failed by my windows are fine.. hopefully
great now my desktop is drive d and i cant switch it back
Same problem
Leonidas The Mighty I had to wipe my hard drive and start over, i bet there is a right way to do it but I was wanting to start new anyways, i wipe my hard drive every year or so unless decide I wanna keep all my junk
You can reset the computer because you cant execute windows administrations, to fix this make a new account on your computer and change this to administrator (Host) then restart and reset your pc :)
after you reset it yes, but you can send your files to a usb or something after you made a new administration acc
yea but itl take a wile depending on how much space is moved
Thanks, was easy to follow!
I appreciate the help, best wishes mate.
"I'm going to show you everything but what you were looking for"
well now I need to reset my new gaming pc that I spent 5 HOURS downloading stuff
everyone says it fucked up but for me it worked prefectly, it just moved the files to where i wanted them... again thank you
nvm it did fuck up
thank you so much for the video! It helped me a lot!
Sadly didn't fix my issue, however, the people in the comments seem to have done it wrong as my computer still works fine after changing the registry
thanks for breaking my laptop :)
it's broken my pc. i did it and now my 23tb b drive has gone. i can't access any apps even on my c drive or d drive now it's completely fucked my pc.
Thank you for sharing. Keep them coming please.
+Baldie Pie Will do.
Finally Changing default download without any dowload/virus...
Dangerous Video. It destroyed my computer. I had to re-install windows
lol
I changed it and restarted, it didn't fck up my PC. But it also didn't help installing the software on the right place.. welp.
dude how did you changed it all back?
I reinstall Windows
wow............ i reallly should have read the comments first....
For those Who This made destroy your computer, Follow My steps
Locate the shortcuts on the drive which you moved and then cut and copy it to the C drive inside any New Folder
umm can you drop your discord to help me please
@@cosmo2465 bro i feel u
@@joshkusuda9283 I fixed it... by restarting my whole computer
You are a life saver thank you so much
omgosh iT FIXED IT
MY STATUS BAR STUFF REAPPEARED!!!!! STUFF LOADS NOW THANKS SO MUCH
This BREAKS all my program shortcuts, including in my statusbar/quick launc bar and Start Menu!
It automatically changes them to the newly pointed default installation location, for all programs, even those that are still located on your C drive...
It has NOT broken ANYTHING, FFS Simply either make new shortcuts by finding the directory the program is in and right clicking on the Executable and then selecting Send to Desktop ( create Shortcut ) , or right click on your existing Shortcut on the desktop and editing the Path to it .
BUT since you already have the Program installed there MAY be files and Config stored in your USER'S folder that might also need editing.
As I have previously stated , you MUST know EXACTLY what your doing with your PC when doing this and it is best done to a complete Virgin system,
mozzmann I switched my C:// Program Files (and x86) to the F drive (my external hard drive). I had to do this as it was taking up all of my RAM, and thus making things very slow indeed. I copy and pasted another set of Program Files (plus the x86 one) in case something breaks. Nothing is broken yet: but we shall see tomorrow
Well THAT is NOT a smart move for a number of reasons and the primary one is speed of access , External drives should only ever be used for storage !!
But if you edited the registry there is no reason why is will not work but it WILL be slow and had better NOT be USB as your USB Driver's WILL NOT load until the OS has done so . . There are some that should NOT own computer's I think .
mozzmann It’s the only move. My PC cannot run with all 800GB being used on the C drive. I’ve had to move it to my external one so I’m able to even use my PC.
I haven’t moved the Desktop to another drive like most on here; just my Program Files and Program Files x86. I still have my most important stuff within the Program Files (plus x86) on the C file that doesnt take much space just in case.
Moving the Program Files and X86 folder structure is fine but simply put NOT to and external Drive as this is in a word VERY counterproductive as I said and especially so if it is USB interface , If you happy and as long as you happy with the results and have edited the registry to reflect to alternate location so new installs will know where they are to be , as well as accept the inevitable slow response with data transfer.
So basically I moved the ProgramWDir to my other drive and now regeditor won’t open and every windows app can not open
u got any solution ?
same with me, i need help. report the video
So I can recall
One comment down helped me.
He said to boot in safe mode and then undo whatever steps to the original.
Please see if this helps.
@Gio Dela Cruz I just restarted the pc in safe mode and undid all the steps mentioned in video that I followed.
It was normal after restarting again in normal mode after this
I think doing this regedit will work if its a new computer first time on or installing a fresh version of windows before any programs or updated are installed?
I just did this to my new build of windows 11 pro to have all programs install on my second large 4tb NVMe D drive and windows is on m y 1tg NVMe C drive.. I think this will help out if I ever need to reinstall windows and things. Hopefully it runs better with windows on one drive and programs on other drive. Thanks for the nice tip and easiest way to handle the installs.
Does it worked?
@@-bx yes it worked great and happy I did it. Also where some programs don't move thru windows apps where there is a feature to do so theu windows after install to my D drive that I named Data. For apps that don't let you select D to move or install, I purchased AOMEI partition assistant which has an awesome feature under menu "All Tools" and select " App Mover" and it will move pretty much any app to any drive like my D drive. Works flawless.
I'm sure in the future, we should be able to install any app onto any drive since many people PC users have more than one drive. Hopefully developers start to add this into their installation media soon. A lot do give that option today.
Didn't work
If you don't state what didn't work, we can't really help. Did you plug in your power cord ?
DO NOT LISTEN IT YOU WILL HAVE TO REINSTALL WINDOWS
XXYRMUM how do you re install windows
@@edotsfitted look online for a better exsplanation
Thnx man this still so helpful
Thank you, that was so helpful!
Hey, Victoria. Does it worked?
i should just dont fuck with registry editor and just let it be.
Joda Have you solved your problem? I just fucked up my PC and now im trying to format the disk. Fuck this.
yes i fixed it a long time ago, i discovered a glitch in the windows start up.. everytime i wanted to start up my windows it was blackscreen, but if you would wait for a while and press a couple of buttons you are beginning to see the main screen. after that i thought it was fixed but it wasnt so i tried resetting my pc. couldnt do that so i made a new profile at my pc and then reset it. that worked for me..
Ruined everything. May karma confront you.
thank you so much for breaking my pc now i cant open registry again and i cant install adobe or anything as a setup thanks so much mate i cant even reset my pc back :))
i had to get a whole new pc because of this, didnt let me open regedit or command prompt. everytime i tried to download a '.exe' file, my pc freezed for atleast 5 minutes then windows explorer would crash. now that i've got it fixed, i have no use for it except for school as i already have a new one.
if you're asking how i fixed it, take it to curry's pc world (if you live in the uk) i dont know about the usa since i dont live there. good luck bro
@@14rxn87 Oof sux a suck man, I hope you don't lose your computer again, Also thanks for replying, And thanks for telling me how to fix it, Have a wonderful day.
@@ageowned7854 no problem man, if you have another problem with this sorta thing then you can just reply again
@@14rxn87 lol, if you get some error doing that, all that you need is reinstall windows.
Someone help please, I changed the download location to my Hard drive and want to bring it back to it's original place, so it copied the files back but now when I add something on the "downloads" place like a folder called AAA, I go to the hard drive and there's a folder called "downloads" still there and the AAA shows up there too, does that mean everytime I put something I am getting a folder in SSD and Hard drive at the same time? Is there a way of fixing this? PLEASE!