Solved How to change Windows 7 root folder?

[coryhenrique]

Hi, I would like to change the name of root folder before Windows 7 installation.

Ex: the common folder of Windows 7 system file call "Windows", and I would change to "WinNT" for exemple.


Already I'm Thanksfull!

 

[LMiller7]

I don't believe there is an easy way to do this. In Windows 2000 and older the installer would always prompt for the name of the windows folder but later systems do not do this unless there is an existing folder called "Windows". This article provides more information:
How to Designate the Original Folder Name for a Reinstallation of Windows XP
It is for XP so some details are different.

Unless you have a real need to do this I suggest you stick with the defaults. Some applications have a need to access the Windows folder directly. A properly written application can do this even with a different name but some will simply assume the default name and they will fail. This is unusual but possible.

 

[coryhenrique]

I don't believe there is an easy way to do this. In Windows 2000 and older the installer would always prompt for the name of the windows folder but later systems do not do this unless there is an existing folder called "Windows". This article provides more information:
How to Designate the Original Folder Name for a Reinstallation of Windows XP
It is for XP so some details are different.

Unless you have a real need to do this I suggest you stick with the defaults. Some applications have a need to access the Windows folder directly. A properly written application can do this even with a different name but some will simply assume the default name and they will fail. This is unusual but possible.

Ok, but I would like to change this name on Windows 7

Any idea how I can do this?

Already I'm Grateful!

 

[LMiller7]

The article I linked to tells how to what you want. You would need to adapt the instructions to Windows 7. Understand that I have not done this as I have never had the need. Changing this after installation is nearly impossible.

Why do you want to do this? Except for the case where there is a preexisting folder named "Windows" which the installer provides for I see no need. It seems like a lot of work that provides no benefits and could have compatibility issues.

 

[Layback Bear]

coryhenrique I know I can't help you but I do have a suggestion.
If you explained exactly what you want to do and the exact reasons for doing such a thing; their might be more help. Maybe a different way of getting done what you are trying to do.
If you change the root folder name before installing I'm not sure activation will work.

 

[coryhenrique]

I wanted to change the name "Windows" to "WinNT" just for aesthetic reasons, I used to do this since Windows 98.

Does this link that LMiller posted works for Windows 7?

I'm Grateful!

 

[Kari]

I wanted to change the name "Windows" to "WinNT" just for aesthetic reasons, I used to do this since Windows 98.

Does this link that LMiller posted works for Windows 7?

I'm Grateful!

As the location and name of the system folder Windows is set not only in one but two different Windows environment variables(*) and as the registry as well as configuration files of various applications and tools are full of referrals to these variables, it would not only be really astonishing foolish to change the name of the Windows folder, but also a sure way to disaster.

Please forget this whole idea and accept the fact that Windows folder's name is Windows.

Kari


(*) = Both %WinDir% and %SystemRoot% refer to the Windows folder. You can check this easily by opening Windows Explorer and typing either %WinDir% or %SystemRoot% to the Explorer address bar and hitting Enter, which then opens the Windows folder.

 

[LMiller7]

Please understand that I have never used the instructions in the link posted above and in fact did not even read the entire article. It would need to be modified for Windows 7. If I were to do this myself I would have to work out some of the details and I really have no interest in doing so. The link was provided primarily to show that this was not a simple thing and it would be best to give up on the idea. I strongly recommend that you do so.

 

[Kari]

Please understand that I have never used the instructions in the link posted above and in fact did not even read the entire article. It would need to be modified for Windows 7. If I were to do this myself I would have to work out some of the details and I really have no interest in doing so. The link was provided primarily to show that this was not a simple thing and it would be best to give up on the idea. I strongly recommend that you do so.

Please understand my previous post was in no way meant to be against your earlier post, you gave a fair and valid warning in addition to the link you submitted. On the contrary, I could say: Up to XP this was an easy process, but from Vista onwards it should not be done, however possible it might be by modifying instructions for pre-Vista systems or using any other method.

Kari

 

[coryhenrique]

And in case I use the OPK(OEM Pre-Installation Kit) from Microsoft, it is possible to change the root folder?
If yes, where in the Windows OPK should I change this?

I'm Grateful!

 

[Kari]

And in case I use the OPK(OEM Pre-Installation Kit) from Microsoft, it is possible to change the root folder?
If yes, where in the Windows OPK should I change this?

I'm Grateful!

I will not go in details on how to do it for the reasons I have already told you: It would not only be amazingly stupid thing to do but also irresponsible and would be an almost sure way to get issues later on.

I will unsubscribe this thread, this conversation is pointless.

Kari

 

[coryhenrique]

Man, if this conversation can serve information to other users who wish to perform the same procedure.
If you know how to do this in the OPK, please teach me?

I'm asking please!

 

[Kari]

Man, if this conversation can serve information to other users who wish to perform the same procedure.
If you know how to do this in the OPK, please teach me?

I'm asking please!

You really do not get my point!

Especially because this thread can be read by so many others, I am not willing to explain how you change the location and name of Windows system folders so you or any other member could really mess up the Windows installation. It would be very irresponsible to post something like "Look, do this to get your Windows really screwed".

So much could go wrong, Windows installation could become really unstable. These system folders are protected for a reason: in a perfect world all apps, tools etc. would check the value of %WinDir% or %SystemRoot% variables and use it. In reality, the locations and names of C:\Program Files, C:\Program Files (x86) and C:\Windows need to be what and where they are, kind of hard coded into the system as to avoid any conflicts.

What part of this do you not understand: What you want to do is so incredible, astonishing stupid thing to do that even if I knew how to do it, I would never assist you in ruining your Windows installation.

I hope you have family and friends around you to help you to overcome this devastating thing: You really need to let Windows system folder to be called Windows.

Very sincerely,

Kari

 

[coryhenrique]

Ok guy, then you can teach me by sending an e-mail?
So you do not disgrace the lives of other users!
Can it be?
So I end this post right here ....

[email removed]

Please, I am very grateful!

 

[Kari]

Ok guy, then you can teach me by sending an e-mail?
So you do not disgrace the lives of other users!
Can it be?
So I end this post right here ....

My email: removed

Please, I am very grateful!

Cory, first a friendly warning:

I asked mods to remove your email address from the post above. Please do not post email addresses here or on any other forums and discussion groups on the Internet, as it can cause a lot of problems. Spammers are searching the web for real, existing email addresses to use in their business.

I will not send you any PM or emails around this subject, the case is closed as far as I am concerned. I have told it in my previous posts but let's repeat it one more time to make this thing clear: I will not assist you in anything that can cause issues on your Windows installation.

The only reason I'm still hanging in this thread is my fear that you might try something stupid and in doing so ruin your Windows installation. Please forget the idea!

Kari

 

[coryhenrique]

Ok Kari, I still thank!

Can close this thred!

 

[Kari]

Good.

Cory, you are always welcome back with your issues. You just need to accept the fact that although almost anything is possible with Windows, not everything possible is a right thing to do.

Happy computing .

Kari