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How to prevent default installations on C-drive?

TenBlade
Level 11
Certain programs do not give you the option for custom installation, forcing them onto C-drive, hence C-drive space shrinking. And SSD's don't have an abundance of space, not in my budget.

So, is there a way to override such an installation on C, to have only elements essential to OS on C?
25,842 Views
13 REPLIES 13

Paulovrv
Level 8
I have the same question!:)
G75VW-BHI7N07: i7-3630QM * 32Gb ram Crucial * Windows damn 8 PRO
Kingston HyperX 3K 120 SSD + 1TB hdd (sad 5400 rpm)

Chino
Level 15
It's pretty easy to change the default installation path via the registry.

1. Launch Registry Editor.
2. Navigate to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion
3. You'll see a value named ProgramFilesDir.
4. Double click it and change it to the location you want.

Note: For 64 bit users, you'll see ProgramFilesDir and ProgramFilesDir x86. Change both of them.

Chino wrote:
It's pretty easy to change the default installation path via the registry.

1. Launch Registry Editor.
2. Navigate to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion
3. You'll see a value named ProgramFilesDir.
4. Double click it and change it to the location you want.

Note: For 64 bit users, you'll see ProgramFilesDir and ProgramFilesDir x86. Change both of them.




Tks!! So easy and so useful. As everything should be!
G75VW-BHI7N07: i7-3630QM * 32Gb ram Crucial * Windows damn 8 PRO
Kingston HyperX 3K 120 SSD + 1TB hdd (sad 5400 rpm)

TenBlade
Level 11
Thanks, Chino! repped!

Adding this to "must do" list for new installation.

Myk_SilentShado
Level 15
You can do as Chino suggested, or you can go the much easier route - provided the software allows it, is do a "custom" install, which should allow you to pick where you want your software installed...I have yet to find any software that doesn't let me choose where I install my crap lol 😛

TenBlade
Level 11
That´s just the thing, Myk, some programs don´t present me with the custom option.

TenBlade wrote:
That´s just the thing, Myk, some programs don´t present me with the custom option.


from my experience, you should avoid those programs

TenBlade
Level 11
I´ll try to filter what I can on my next rig, but with the relatively easy fix provided by Chino, I hope I won´t have to leave out any "must-haves". I don´t suppose the registry tweak presents any danger to my system (stability issues, programs won´t work etc.)?!

shawnavonsr
Level 8
If they do install on C: you can do this to move them *banned website*

Also if like me you like to keep the SSD with as little installs. I use steam mover to push on and off the SSD to the HDD. http://www.traynier.com/software/steammover
This also works for other programs and super easy to use