How do I change Windows's default install path?

[JG]

In Windows XP, when you want to install a program, the
default install path thats set is the drive or partition
in which you installed windows on. How can I change this?
I would like my default drive to be C:\ rather than D:\
Hope someone can help me!

 

[Doug Knox MS-MVP]

Click Start, Run and enter REGEDIT Go to:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion

Look in the right pane for ProgramFilesPath and CommonFilesDir Change these two values to point to your D: drive.

Note: Editing the Registry, even correctly can lead to unpredictable results.

 

[dev]

In Windows XP, when you want to install a program, the
default install path thats set is the drive or partition
in which you installed windows on. How can I change this?
I would like my default drive to be C:\ rather than D:\

If you are familiar with the registry, and how to restore XP in case of
corruption, locate this key...

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion

In the righthand pane, point it to the install drive. Here it is simply H:\

 

[Ramesh [MVP]]

JG,

It's mostly proprietory to each application. While you can change the ProgramFiles directory to d:\, they may not help in all the cases. Some program insist or defaults to a specific installation folder or drive.

--
Ramesh - Microsoft MVP
http://www.mvps.org/sramesh2k
-------------------------------------------
Prevent Spyware from being installed:
http://www.mvps.org/sramesh2k/Malware_Defence.htm

Prevent malware from being installed - Part 2:
http://www.mvps.org/sramesh2k/MalwareDefence_Example.htm
-------------------------------------------


In Windows XP, when you want to install a program, the
default install path thats set is the drive or partition
in which you installed windows on. How can I change this?
I would like my default drive to be C:\ rather than D:\
Hope someone can help me!

 

[Kelly]

<IWTSYC>




Click Start, Run and enter REGEDIT Go to:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion

Look in the right pane for ProgramFilesPath and CommonFilesDir Change
these two values to point to your D: drive.

Note: Editing the Registry, even correctly can lead to unpredictable
results.

 

[Kelly]

<IWTSYC>

In Windows the System year changes. BTW, Time pieces weren't mentioned but
should have been. SAT! That's my story and I'm sticking to it. )