How can i change the default installation location?

fizzgig · 18 Jan 2015

Hi,

I recently built a new pc and I installed the os on my ssd. Now I want to keep my ssd clean from everything apart from my main applications. I changed the program files thing in regedit so new programs install to my hdd but I still get programs that dump their files in my ssd. for example i recently installed vlc and it dumped all the files into (my ssd):\Users\my_pc\VLC. is there anyway to change this? dropbox did the same thing.

I really want to keep my ssd as clean as possible. is there anyway to set it up so that all programs that are being installed that don't give you a chance to change the directory go straight to my hdd?

Thanks very much

AddRAM · 18 Jan 2015

Programs usually always ask you where to put it, you just change the drive letter. VLC didn`t give you this option ?

I use VLC all the time, run it off the ssd anyway.

whs · 18 Jan 2015

If you move the programs to the HDD, you somehow defeat the purpose of a SSD which is fast access. I would do that only in very exceptional cases and only for very big programs (e.g. some games can be very large). Else keep all programs on the SSD - as long as they fit or get a bigger SSD.

fizzgig · 18 Jan 2015

my ssd is only 120gb. so not much room. i got the ssd so that i can run my os and my main applications fast. but i dont need vlc or dropbox there. if i just move the files manually from my ssd into my hdd will that work?

AddRAM · 18 Jan 2015

Agreed, I keep my game files on a hard drive.

Windows and programs on the ssd, after 2 years I still have 83 GB free of 119 :)

whs · 18 Jan 2015

if i just move the files manually from my ssd into my hdd will that work?

You cannot move program files manually. The system would not find them because the registry would still point to C.

I run all my desktops on 60GB SSDs. I have all programs on C and still have half of the SSDs empty. Normal programs a la VLC do not need a lot of space.

gregrocker · 18 Jan 2015

I would uninstall the programs you installed to the HD erroneously which will inevitably lose speed because of it, and reinstall them to C.

If you start getting short of space, run CCleaner and consider moving the User folders to the HD which do not benefit from the speed in the way programs do.

whs · 18 Jan 2015

consider moving the User folders to the HD which do not benefit from the speed in the way programs do.

Greg is right. That's the trick. I always move all my user data to the spinner - but not the folders generated by the system or by programs (which are very few).