Changing the automatic installation location of programs in Windows. How to transfer an operating system to another hard drive How to make drive D the default
Let's talk about the process of changing the path for automatic installation of programs from the system drive to any other, for example, from "C:\Program Files" to "D:\Installed programs". This method works in Windows XP, Windows 7 And Windows 8.
When partitioning a hard drive, those who carry out this software operation often forget that the days of low-demanding Windows XP, minimalist programs and casual games are long gone. Windows 7, Windows 8 And Windows 8.1, professional software packages and resource-intensive large-scale games from famous developers require much more space on the system disk than some 3-5 GB, which a few years ago was quite enough for full-fledged work with a PC.
This problem can be thoroughly solved by re-partitioning the hard drive - you need to snatch a certain number of gigabytes from non-system disk partitions and transfer them to the system one. But this is a serious operation that requires certain skills, and it is unlikely that all users will be able to do it themselves. Moreover, if the disk is repartitioned inappropriately, the installed operating system may crash and you will need to install it again. So it is better to entrust this procedure to experienced users.
But if the computer’s system drive is already full, you can solve this problem yourself by simply installing games and programs on another drive - a non-system drive, where there is plenty of space. Since all programs and games are installed by default on drive C, usually in the “Program Files” folder, you can change it to a folder located on a non-system drive by selecting another appropriate path during the installation process - for example, “D:\Installed programs\Installation folder for a specific program." And so that every time you install another program or game you do not have to manually register your installation path, you can change the automatic installation directory - for example, from drive C to drive D.
To change the automatic installation path of programs and games, you will need to make some changes to the Windows registry.
To get to the system registry editor Windows 7 You need to enter “regedit” in the search bar and go to the registry editor. IN Windows XP You need to select the "Run" command from the "Start" menu and enter "regedit" in its field.
Users Windows 8 can use the search that appears when you hover your mouse over the corners of the right side of the screen and enter "regedit" in the search form field.
A system editor window will open, and here, in the mass of directories, you need to find the one you need in order to make the planned settings. We go this way:
"HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE" - "SOFTWARE" - "Microsoft" - "Windows" - "CurrentVersion"
The desired directory has been found, then you need to double-click on the right side of the registry editor to open the “ProgramFilesDir” or “ProgramFilesDir (x86)” parameter - this is the entry for automatically installing programs and games on a particular computer drive. And in most cases, the default value here is the classic version of the value - “C:\Program Files”.
Before setting a new value for automatic installation of programs and games on a non-system drive, you need to create a separate folder on this drive, which will be a kind of analogue of “Program Files”. It doesn’t have to be called “Program Files 2”, it can be any name, as long as no stranger who has access to the computer thinks that unnecessary files are stored there and deletes this folder.
So, if the folder for installing programs and games on a non-system drive has already been created, all that remains is to change the value of the “ProgramFilesDir” parameter. You need to remove the existing option - "C:\Program Files" - and enter a new one, for example, "D:\Installed programs". The changes made, of course, need to be saved - click "OK".
These days, more and more devices come with little or limited space and storage space. Most smartphones and tablets offer limited storage space, and a significant portion of the built storage is mostly taken up by the operating system alone. For those of you who have devices with limited storage space, you may need to change the default location of apps downloaded from the Windows Store in Windows 10 to avoid running out of free space on your system drive. As you probably know, with default settings in Windows 10, installation of all Windows applications, as well as desktop applications (traditional programs), occurs in the system drive - usually the C drive.
Default installation location for apps in Windows 10
If the drive on which Windows 10 is installed runs out of disk space, you can configure Windows 10 to use a different drive to install applications. The good thing is that you can make this happen without downloading or installing any third-party software. Windows 10 has a built-in tool for changing where applications are installed. This method can also be used to configure Windows 10 to install applications on external drives.
Please note that if you change the default installation location of applications, Windows 10 will not move existing Windows applications to the new drive. Only applications that you install in the future will be installed on the new drive.
If you have already installed hundreds of apps from the store and you would like to free up some disk space by moving already installed apps to another drive, there is a great feature available to move installed apps to another drive without having to install them again. Read our detailed instructions on how to move installed applications to a new drive.
In our opinion, if you have limited storage space on your device or default drive, then it would be a good idea to change the default installation location as soon as you install Windows or start using your device, rather than moving them to a larger location. late stage. Moving applications is relatively easy, the only thing is that you cannot move in several applications at the same time.
Change default settings for apps in Windows 10
Follow the directions below to change the default installation location of apps in Windows 10.
Important: Please note that this method is only applicable for Windows and modern applications. Traditional desktop programs will continue to be used in Windows on the installed drive.
Step 1: Open . There are several ways to open Settings in Windows 10. One of them is to go to the Start menu and then click the Settings icon. The application settings can also be launched using the Windows + I keys.
Step 2: In the application settings, select the first option labeled System (Display, notifications, apps, power - display, notifications, applications, performance).
Step 3: On the left side, click Storage — Storage.
Step 4: Scroll down to see section Saving locations - Save locations. Here, you can view the default location for new apps, documents, pictures, and music.
Step 5: To change the default settings and select the drive for applications, under New apps -New apps will save to click the button and then select the drive.
All !! You have selected a new drive to store the applications you will install.
Perhaps, many users of personal computers have encountered the fact that this or that software is installed automatically (it does not ask to specify the path). Of course, not all programs do this, but only a minority of them. Others always ask for the final installation directory. Unfortunately, such a problem can lead to the system disk running out of free space, and many people divide the disks in such a way as to install only programs on one and, for example, games on the other. Some users may even skip the point related to specifying the directory, which can also lead to the above. As a result, it will turn out that the user will simply have to independently search for and delete certain directories in order to free up space on the hard drive.
Registry changes
As you know, programs do not care about the final installation path, and it is not necessary to install all programs in the Program Files folder (this folder is the final one in most cases). Of course, there is a way to change the default destination directory. You can do this as follows. First, the user needs to go to the “Start” menu and find “Run” there (you can launch this application using the Win + R hotkeys). After this, you need to launch the Registry Editor. This is where the main changes need to be made. In order to run it, enter the regedit command in the window that appears.
Then, when a new window opens (the Registry Editor itself), in the branch on the left you need to find HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion. After clicking on the last directory, the right side of the window will refresh. Here you need to find the ProgramFilesDir or ProgramFilesDir (x86) files (if you see both of these files, then both of them need to be changed). You need to double-click on them and change the parameters in the “Value” line to those that you need (for example, change the drive from C to D). After you enter the required values, you need to close the registry editor and restart the computer, since the changes will take effect only after restarting the personal computer. If everything is done correctly, then the software will be installed in exactly the directory you specified.
Welcome to my blog!
By default, programs in Windows are installed on the system drive in the “Program Files” category, and games sometimes create a “Games” category on the system drive.
But if programs can still be installed on the system disk, then games have nothing to do on it.
And here the question arises: “How to change the installation path of programs in Windows”, so that programs and games can be installed in the directory we need?”
I already wrote about how to clear the system disk, this article to some extent also relates to the topic of free space on the system disk.
Many novice users install programs without changing the installer settings, because they believe that this is correct. Some users even install games without changing the installation directory. But you should do this only if you really need it, and not because the installer wants it.
It is clear that programmers, in order to make life easier for users, have foreseen everything in advance and configured the applications so that the user only needs to press the “OK” or “Next” buttons and the program will be installed. But if you want your computer to be in order, then install programs correctly.
If your system disk is very small and there is enough logical space, then there is no point in installing everything on the system disk. You need to configure the installer so that programs are installed on a larger disk.
How to change the installation path of a program using the application installer.
Most often, you can change the installation directory during the installation of the application itself, and it doesn’t matter whether it’s Photoshop or some kind of game, just don’t rush to click “Next”.
During the installation process of the program, you will see a window similar to this where you will be asked in which directory to install the program.
In this window you will see where the program will be installed by default and what you need to do to change this path. And also how much space is available on the disk and how much the program needs to install.
To change the drive and directory for installing the application, click the “Browse” button,
and select another drive in which you can create a new folder for your program.
Usually one directory is enough for all applications and one for all toys on the computer. After this, the program will be installed in the directory you need.
Naturally, some files will still be copied to the system disk, but this will take up noticeably less disk space than the entire application.
How to change the installation path of programs by editing the registry.
You can also change the drive and directory for installing programs using the registry. Only in this case, all applications will be installed in the new default directory.
This is convenient to do if you have little space on your system drive and need to install all applications on another drive. The advantage of this method is that not all applications offer to select a directory for installation and are silently loaded into the default directory. This way you will already know where all applications are installed.
In order to change the installation directory through the registry, open the registry and follow the path:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion
Having opened the desired registry branch, on the right we find the string parameter: ProgramFilesDir. In my example, the path for installing programs is written: C:\Program Files. You are most likely on the same path.
After purchasing a new HDD or SSD, the first question that arises is what to do with the operating system currently used. Not many users have the need to install a clean OS, but on the contrary, they want to clone an existing system from an old disk to a new one.
So that the user who decides to update the hard drive does not have to reinstall the operating system, it is possible to transfer it. In this case, the current user profile is saved, and in the future you can use Windows in the same way as before performing the procedure.
Usually those who want to divide the OS itself and user files into two physical drives are interested in transferring. After the move, the operating system will appear on the new hard drive and will remain on the old one. In the future, it can be removed from the old hard drive by formatting, or left as a second system.
First, the user needs to connect the new drive to the system unit and make sure that the PC has detected it (this is done through the BIOS or Explorer).
Method 1: AOMEI Partition Assistant Standard Edition
Unlike the previous two programs, in Macrium Reflect you cannot pre-allocate a free partition on the drive where the OS will be transferred. This means that user files on disk 2 will be deleted. Therefore, it is best to use a clean HDD.
- Click on the link "Clone this disk..." in the main program window.
- The Transfer Wizard will open. At the top, select the HDD from which you want to clone. By default, all drives may be selected, so uncheck the drives you don't want to use.
- Click on the link at the bottom of the window "Select a disk to clone to..." and select the hard drive to which you want to clone.
- Once you select disk 2, you can use a link with cloning parameters.
- Here you can configure the space that will be occupied by the system. By default, a partition will be created with no free space. We recommend adding at least 20-30 GB (or more) to the system partition for correct subsequent updates and Windows needs. This can be done using controls or by entering numbers.
- If you wish, you can select the drive letter yourself.
- It is not necessary to change the remaining parameters.
- In the next window you can configure the cloning schedule, but we don’t need this, so just click "Next".
- A list of actions that will be performed on the drive will be displayed, click "Finish".
- In the window asking you to make restore points, agree or reject the offer.
- The OS cloning will begin and you will be notified when completed "Clone completed", indicating that the transfer was successful.
- Now you can boot from the new drive, having first made it the main one for booting in the BIOS. How to do this, see Method 1.
We talked about three ways to transfer an OS from one drive to another. As you can see, this is a very simple process and you usually won't encounter any errors. After cloning Windows, you can check the disk's functionality by booting your computer from it. If no problems are observed, you can remove the old HDD from the system unit or leave it as a spare.