Solved Manage Where Windows 7 Installs Programs

[vorpalrabbit]

I'm hoping someone can help me with what should be a very simple problem - but I can't figure it out!

I am setting up my first Windows 7 PC, on a custom-built system. I've done a clean Windows install , and am using the account created when I installed Windows 7. I set up four hard-drive partitions during the install:

C: at 50GB for the OS only (Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit),
D: 150 GB for Programs,
E: 300 GB for Games, and
F: 476 GB for Data.

My problem is that I am unable to control where programs are installed. Any program that I install (e.g. Adobe Reader) whether from disc, file saved to the hard drive, or directly from the internet, goes onto the C: partition. The operating system does not give me the option during install to put the program files in the location I want. In Windows XP, it would always ask for the location where the program should be installed, so I could browse to the desired location.

An help would be appreciated, while I still have some hair left...

 

[Bill2]

Theres a tut on how to change the default install location.

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/39689-program-files-directory-change-default-installs.html

But you need to figure out a few things yourself. Some programs may not work correctly if installed on a partition other than C: . Also, it makes sense to increase the space allocated to C: drive and install programs there, the windows partition is on the fastest part of the hard disk and having programs there will make them load faster.

 

[vorpalrabbit]

Thanks Bill. Seems absurb that I need to edit the registry to accomplish this, but so be it. I'm aware that some programs need to reside on C:, but I expect (perhaps incorrectly...) that these should be few and far between. I want to keep the C: partition for the OS, so I can do a clean reinstall on the operating system if I need to.

 

[Bare Foot Kid]

Hello vorpalrabbit, welcome to Seven Forums!


Also, have a look at this tutorial at the link below.

User Profiles - Create and Move During Windows 7 Installations


​

 

[seavixen32]

Personally, I prefer to install Windows 7 and all my applications on a 200 GB C Drive, and then create a system image of that partition as my main backup.

I then keep all my data on a seperate partition with a full backup of that partition first off, followed by incremental backups thereafter.

There's no fear of losing my data and a restore of Windows from the image backup means no more lengthy installations of Windows, updates and applications - and no activation worries.

 

[gregrocker]

If you clean reinstall the OS you'll have to reinstall the Programs anyway. They write Registry keys which integrate themselves into the OS, so should ideally be on same partition for imaging purposes. Backup Complete Computer - Create an Image Backup

If Win7 becomes irreparable, simply reimage the OS/Programs partition and the data will be waiting and current in its own partition: System Image Recovery

User Folders - Change Default Location
User Profile - Change Default Location

 

[vorpalrabbit]

Thanks to everyone for the help and advice!

 

[Bare Foot Kid]

Hello again, have you found the all information you seek?

 

[vorpalrabbit]

Yes I have. Thanks for your assistance Bare Foot Kid.

 

[Bare Foot Kid]

Glad we could help mate and thanks for the update.