XP's default install path

[Guest]

Hello,

I want set the default installation path to a different partition so that I
don't have to type it in each time I install an app. Currrently it's C:\.

Thankyou.

 

[Ghostrider]

Hello,

I want set the default installation path to a different partition so that I
don't have to type it in each time I install an app. Currrently it's C:\.

Thankyou.

A lot of this really depends on the setup program used by the application.
The "standard" is to install to Drive C, typically into the Program Files
folder. And software developers will follow this convention whilst writing
the installation file for the application. Specifying a different location
usually means electing a "custom" installation and it will involve typing
the path of the new location.

 

[Guest]

Thanks Ghostrider, I guess if a program wants to put itself into c:\ then
there is little one can do.
I was kinda hoping it was a XP setting though.
Oh well.

 

[BillW50]

Thanks Ghostrider, I guess if a program wants to put itself into c:\
then there is little one can do.
I was kinda hoping it was a XP setting though.
Oh well.

TweakUI (part of the free MS PowerToys you can change that path. But I
don't know if it will work in all cases.

TweakUI
My Computer (left pane)
Special Folders (left pane)
Installation Path (right pane)

 

[Guest]

TUI doesn't seem to do anything(as you say!) - wonder why they even give the
option ?

 

[BillW50]

TUI doesn't seem to do anything(as you say!) - wonder why they even
give the option ?

I think it only points to where Windows install can be found to be
honest with you. Nevertheless, TweakUI is really handy to have anyway.

 

[Guest]

Take a look at the value "ProgramFilesDir" in the registry under this key:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion

If this is not set to "C:\Program Files" it might be what's causing your
problem.

Regardd,

 

[Guest]

After re-reading your original post I don't this this is what you were
looking for. You really wouldn't want to change this to anything other than
what it was set it to when Windows was installed.

 

[Guest]

What will happen if I do ?
think i'll try it, it can't add to my woes much

 

[John John]

It's not recommended that you change it:

http://search.technet.microsoft.com...d=technet&locale=en-us&refinement=&lang=en-us

John

 

[Bert Kinney]

Hi Mani,

Go to Start – Run and type Regedit then press enter.

Navigate to the following registry key.

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Setup

In the right pane double click on the SourcePath key and set the Value
Data to C:\i386 or where ever the setup files are located, then click OK.
Close Regedit and reboot the system.

This registry edit will tell Windows where to find the setup file when they
are needed, without having to browse.

Regards,
Bert Kinney MS-MVP Shell/User
http://bertk.mvps.org
Member: http://dts-l.org

 

[Guest]

I think it will change the ProgramFiles environment variable which will cause
problems for programs or services that use %ProgramFiles% when specifying the
path to a file within their registry settings.

 

[Guest]

soooooo sweet of you to get back to me Bert, but it isn't the problem I'm
adressing.

 

[Guest]

You saved me; I've just changed it back

It's not recommended that you change it:

http://search.technet.microsoft.com...d=technet&locale=en-us&refinement=&lang=en-us

John

 

[John John]

It may be a bit annoying to have to change the drive letter when you
install applications but the possible problems that may be caused by
changing the value will be a lot more aggravating! ;-)

John