Change default installation path in Windows 7

By default Windows installs all programs into the C:\Program Files and C:\Program Files (x86) directories. If the hard drive you have the operating system installed on is running out of space though, or you just want to have the OS on a separate SSD, you might want to consider changing these default installation paths.

Be warned before you go on though! Microsoft does not officially support changing installation directories (see here). You are responsible for all consequences.

Furthermore, since we are going to edit the Windows registry for our causes, you should have that backed up first in case something goes wrong. Here’s how: http://www.faqforge.com/windows/backup-your-windows-registry/

Now that you have been warned, let’s get started: Open a Run. prompt and enter regedit. I will be referring to our new installation path as E:\Program Files and E:\Program Files (x86), so replace these paths with the ones you want to have (you can choose other names as well). Now browse the left registry pane for the HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion key. Click on that key once to show its contents and locate the ProgramFilesDir and ProgramFilesDir (x86):

Double click those values and change C:\Program Files to E:\Program Files as well as C:\Program Files (x86) to E:\Program Files (x86). Furthermore it might be safe to change all other paths directing to the old directories to point at the new ones as well. That’s it if you are on a 32bit system, close the registry and reboot your computer.

64bit users have one more step to go. Close the registry and open another Run. prompt. This time, enter %systemroot%\sysWOW64\regedit. Another registry windows will open. Repeat the exact same steps here that you have done before. Afterwards, close the registry and reboot your computer.

Changing default install location in Windows 10

I’ve been trying to change the default install location to my D: drive, this was my initial idea when building my PC so obviously the D: drive has a lot more capacity than the main drive, which I was planning on using just for Windows software. However, everything is getting installed automatically to the C: drive which is now maxed out. For some reason, at moment of installation I’m never asked in what folder I’d like for the program to be in.

I tried going to Settings > System > Apps & Features, but the Move feature is grayed out.

I also tried changing the Regedit > HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE > SOFTWARE > Microsoft > Windows > CurrentVersion > ProgramFilesDir path, but programs are still installing in the C: drive

So, what do I need to do to select in what folder I want programs to be installed in? I searched online and it appears a lot of people are having this problem too, but no solution for Windows 10.

I would greatly appreciate a solution, thank you!

Replies (6) 

I’ve been trying to change the default install location to my D: drive, this was my initial idea when building my PC so obviously the D: drive has a lot more capacity than the main drive, which I was planning on using just for Windows software. However, everything is getting installed automatically to the C: drive which is now maxed out. For some reason, at moment of installation I’m never asked in what folder I’d like for the program to be in.

I tried going to Settings > System > Apps & Features, but the Move feature is grayed out.

I also tried changing the Regedit > HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE > SOFTWARE > Microsoft > Windows > CurrentVersion > ProgramFilesDir path, but programs are still installing in the C: drive

So, what do I need to do to select in what folder I want programs to be installed in? I searched online and it appears a lot of people are having this problem too, but no solution for Windows 10.

I would greatly appreciate a solution, thank you!

How do you change the default Installation Directory in Windows 7 64bit?

Just installed Windows 7 64bit Home Edition, can’t seem to change the default installation directory with regedit successfully. Did this no problem in XP. I have Window installed on a small SSD drive with a second hard drive to use for progams e.g. F:/Program Files.

Any one done this successfully?

***Post moved by the moderator to the appropriate forum category.***

Welcome to Microsoft Answers Community Forum!

In order to change the default installation directory, please change the following in the registry.

Important This section, method, or task contains steps that tell you how to modify the registry. However, 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:

322756 (http://support.microsoft.com/kb/322756/ ) How to back up and restore the registry in Windows

To change the registry, follow these steps:

1. Start Registry Editor by entering “Regedit” in the search All programs.

2. Locate the following:

3. Right click on the value named ProgramFilesDir & change the default value C:\Program Files to the path you want to install all your programs in.

4. Click OK and Exit.

Windows, by default, will now install your programs in the new drive or path.

Hope this helps!

Supreeth — Microsoft Support.
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Change default Program Files installation directory location in Windows 10

In Windows 10/8/7 OS, by default, software gets installed on your System Drive, usually C drive, in the Program Files folder. The typical path is normally in Windows 32-bit is C:\Program Files and in Windows 64-bit is C:\Program Files and C:\Program Files(x86).

Microsoft recommends the C:\Program Files folder for the default installation destination. It’s a convention that ensures proper inter-operation between your program and the OS’s application and security models. So, once software programs are installed they go by default to C:\Program files on the computer.

This can, however, be changed by selecting another folder or location or partition. To change the default installation folder, the data must be modified in the ProgramFilesDir key and a new path must be chosen for the installation folder.

Windows uses the System Disk for installing any new applications, That is, if your Windows is installed on the C Drive, the default folder where all the applications you install would automatically show up as C:\Program Files, unless of course, you change in manually while installing the application’s locations.

Do note that Microsoft does not support changing the location of the Program Files folder by modifying the ProgramFilesDir registry value. It states that if you change the location of the Program Files folder, you may experience problems with some Microsoft programs or with some software updates.

Change default Program Files directory

If you almost always prefer to NOT install on the System Disk, but instead on another partition, say, the D drive, then rather than changing the default location every time, you can edit the registry as follows:

Now open Regedit and navigate to the following key:

Now in the right pane look for the value ProgramFilesDir and/or ProgramFilesDir (x86) depending on whether your Windows is 32-bit or 64-bit.

Double-click on it and in the box which opens up change its Value data from C:\Program Files to say, D:\Program Files.

The default directory for the installation of all your programs shall now be D:\Program Files.

If you are using Windows 64-bit, you have to change the value of ProgramFilesDir and ProgramFilesDir (x86).

Change Default Installation Folder in Windows 10

When we install new programs on our System, by default they will be installed in System drive which is C drive mostly. The programs which are 32 bit will be installed in “C:\Program Files(x86)” folder and the programs which are 64 bit will install in “C:\Program Files” folder by default.

If you are running out of space in your C drive, you can move some files to other drives. Program Files is one of the most important folders in C drive which takes a lot of space if more software are installed in the system. One way of freeing up space in C drive is to change the default installation location of C:\Program Files. This will not move the currently installed programs but all future programs will be installed in the new location without manually changing the default installation path while installing the application.

Let’s see how we can change the default installation folder in Windows 10. The same can be applied to Windows 7 and Windows 8.1.

Changing the default installation folder

Proceed with following steps to change the default location of installation folder for new installing programs.

1. Type the “regedit” in start menu and open the first result it shows.
2. Go for following keys
   “HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion”. And double click on “CurrentVersion”. Then on right hand side window will expand. Go for ProgramFilesDir from list. If your Operating System is 64 bit then there will be two entries ProgramFilesDir and ProgramFilesDir(x86).
3. Double click on any one of them and see the entries. It is C drive first. You can edit any drive where you want to save all installations. And then press Ok after editing.
4. Restart the system for changes to take effect. And new installation will be done in your new folder.

Apply these manageable and painless steps to change your default folder of installation. This may help you in making your System drive’s space manageable and in control. Now move any of your large files, games, or software between storage drives in few clicks