Windows 7 - Default Install Path Change

When changing the path name I accidentally deleted all of it. Can anyone tell me the defaults so I can add them back to my Windows 7 path

You know, Microsoft does not support changing the location of the Program Files folder by modifying the ProgramFilesDir registry value may even explain why I have so many issues installing security hot fixes....

Thanks for pointing that out. It's a bit annoying then that we can't just set a default installation path during the initial set up of Windows, where this would avoid the impact described in KB article 933700.

For now I'll avoid changing my default directory and manually change it during every installation.... *sigh*

Hello JamesR404, welcome to Seven Forums!



Sounds like the right thing to do.

Ok, my case is a little complicated.

I have a stable Windows 7 Ultimate system running for more than 6 months and a lot of applications are already installed on "C:\Program Files (x86)\" path. Now I want to change the default installation path to "F:\" without harming the already installed applications.

What I mean is, I want the new installations to occur at "F:\" path, while I don't want the links to "C:\Program Files (x86)\" path broken, or already installed applications to stop working.

Is this possible?

My system is Microsoft Windows 7 Ultimate x64 and I am using Windows Update all the way.

Thanks in advance.

It is most definitely best practice to install programs separate from your operating/system files. I don't know why windows 7 insists on locking the default install directory. The reasons for installing programs on a separate partition are numerous. Everything from streamlining optimization, reducing disk defragmentation, to better organization and management and easier system backups or better compatibility with dual booting operating systems that utilize the same programs, to simply wanting to name it "Programs" instead of "Program Files" to simplify and eliminate the unnecessary need for a space in a sub-directory name...

Another reason to avoid windows 7?

I would just like to add here that if you have done this and are experiancing issues with certain programs running then you can fix this by going to "CMD" and entering "sfc /scannow" I had to do this and everything ran fine afterwards.

Ya, you are better off just browsing to the location you want new programs installed to. You can safely personalize the default location of some important files though. You can customize the save paths to your documents, desktop, pictures, save games, music etc, by going into the "C:\Users\Username" folder, right clicking on the one you want to customize, and under properties change the location of them to wherever you'd like. If you use Outlook, it's also a good idea to keep the .pst file on a different drive as well.