How To: Change The Default Location For Installing Applications In Windows Vista
By default, Windows Vista uses the system drive for installing any new applications. That is, if Windows Vista is installed on the C Drive, the default folder where all the applications you install would automatically show up as C:\Program Files. This make a major load off your Windows partition if you’re running very data intensive applications like Adobe Photoshop, video editing software’s, etc. However, you can change the default installation drive and/ or directory by a simple Registry tweak.
- Type “regedit” in the Windows Vista Start Menu Search box or in Run dialog box and hit enter.
- You’ll need to provide administrative confirmation if User Account Control(UAC) is turned on.
- Navigate to the following registry key:
KEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion
- Now in the right pane look for the value,ProgramFilesDir.
- Double click on it and change its value data to any valid drive or folder (By default,this value will be C:\Program Files).
- Close the Windows Vista registry editor.
- Restart your computer for the changes.
After this registry tweak, Windows Vista will use that new location as the default installation directory for new programs.This simple registry tweak can be very useful if you don’t want to clutter your default drive where Windows Vista is installed.
Warning:
Modifying the Windows registry can cause serious damage to your Windows Operating System.It is better to backup your Windows registry data before making any changes. Tomstricks.com is not responsible for any changes you may make to your system.
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Written by Tony on May 25th, 2009 with
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