How to seperate program files and user on another HDD?

ViPER

New Member
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2
Hey,

I was wondering how can I separate my Drive C User Data & Program Files to Drive D.

I was looking into Microsoft folder locations, you can check it out here:

http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/cc749305(v=WS.10)

I was wondering how can I apply that during a clean install.

If anybody can help me, please do let me know!

Thank you very much!
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Lenovo W530
    CPU
    i7 3920 XM
    Motherboard
    Intel
    Memory
    32GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    Nvidia Quadro K200m
For user files, you just define the appropriate folders (Documents, Music, etc.) on the other drive/partition. Then you right click on those folders and INCLUDE them into the correponding library. Then move your data.

You can also move them with the Location tab in the folder Properties. But that can be messy and I advise against it.

Programs you can direct to a different folder on any partition at installation time - but only then. Some programs may not play.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Vista and Win7
    System Manufacturer/Model
    2xHP, 2xGateway, 1xDell, 1xSony
    Hard Drives
    5 SSDs and 12 HDs
Thank you for the response!

I know that you can do that but most of the time it does not play. But I googled around and people used this method:

Code:
[URL]http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/cc749305(v=WS.10[/URL])

The previous link wasn't working. I was just wondering how can I put the XML file during installation.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Lenovo W530
    CPU
    i7 3920 XM
    Motherboard
    Intel
    Memory
    32GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    Nvidia Quadro K200m
The link still does not work. And the methods I posted should work. I have done that many times.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Vista and Win7
    System Manufacturer/Model
    2xHP, 2xGateway, 1xDell, 1xSony
    Hard Drives
    5 SSDs and 12 HDs
I know I refresh old post, but I have the same issue, I chose this to making a new one. I have Windows 8(64) installed on 128gb SSD, and I wanted to install everything else on HDD. I changed easily location of: Downloads, desktop,music, photos, videos just by right click and changing location. I also want to change the directory that windows choose automatically from C;/Program Files to D:/Program files. I found few tutorials for.ex(How to Change the Directory Windows Installs Programs To).
, but some problem cause to me, I couldn't launch photos, photo viewer, most of the windows apps. Is there any solution to this? I mean, when I install avast, there is no possibilty to choose the location of it, but I want to install it on D HDD. Thanks in advance.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 64
    Computer type
    Laptop
    CPU
    Intel i7 2.4
    Memory
    16
    Graphics Card(s)
    GTX 870
    Monitor(s) Displays
    BUILD-IN
    Hard Drives
    aData SSD 128GB + Seagate 1TB
    Keyboard
    Steelseries
    Mouse
    R.A.T 7
I mean, when I install avast, there is no possibilty to choose the location of it, but I want to install it on D HDD.

You can't -- because, as WHS already said, you can not always install to a different location.
 

My Computer

But i found many comments people did this and it works. Look at this one, I'm looking a solution in comments, but maybe on the forum is somebody that know the staff.

And to make it clear, right I can't allways, but when I download program, and there is propose to install it in C:/Program Files...., I want to installer suggest me automatically D:program files. And some drivers etc also install on D.

Change Default Installation Directory In Windows 7 & Vista
 
Last edited:

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 64
    Computer type
    Laptop
    CPU
    Intel i7 2.4
    Memory
    16
    Graphics Card(s)
    GTX 870
    Monitor(s) Displays
    BUILD-IN
    Hard Drives
    aData SSD 128GB + Seagate 1TB
    Keyboard
    Steelseries
    Mouse
    R.A.T 7
I did a research. I made backup for my registry. Did changes following this, and until now everything works. I think it's solution.

How to change Windows 7 “Program Files” and “Program Files (x86)” destination folders.
In the registry find two branches. Some suggest only one but other entry is hidden in Wow6432Node as well and to make live easier must be allso edited.
“C:\” to “D:\” or what ever you need.

1
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\

2
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion

I would consider to take a look here as well.
3 be careful
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\ControlSet001\Control\Session Manager\Environment
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 64
    Computer type
    Laptop
    CPU
    Intel i7 2.4
    Memory
    16
    Graphics Card(s)
    GTX 870
    Monitor(s) Displays
    BUILD-IN
    Hard Drives
    aData SSD 128GB + Seagate 1TB
    Keyboard
    Steelseries
    Mouse
    R.A.T 7
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