How to change the default installation directory of programs in Windows

2024 Author: Malcolm Clapton | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 03:44

We place programs and games on a new drive if the space on the system disk is running out.

Often, we don't have enough space on the C drive, where by default Windows 10 stores programs. And you have to install applications in repositories other than the system one. On the Internet - an edit in the registry, which forces the system to change the default installation location. However, keep in mind: this can lead to system errors. Better to use simpler methods.

Apps from the Microsoft Store

Programs from the Microsoft Store can easily be made to install not on the system drive, but on any other drive. To do this, open "Settings" → "System" → "Device memory". Click Change where new content is saved.

In the window that appears, in the "New applications will be saved here" section, select the required drive and click "Apply". Now all of your Microsoft Store apps will install to a new location.

The programs you downloaded earlier will still be on drive C. But you can transfer them manually. To do this, open Options → Applications, select the one you want and click Move.

Please note, this only works with programs that you have installed from the Microsoft Store.

By the way, when you try to download large applications from the Microsoft Store, such as games, the store will definitely ask you which drive to install them on.

Third-party applications

Let's be honest: despite Microsoft's best efforts, we still rarely download anything from their Store. As a rule, an ordinary user goes to the program developer's site, downloads the installer from there and installs the application in the same way as it was done in the good old Windows 7.

In this case, changing the place for the program is quite simple. Download the installer of any application you need. Then start the installation as usual.

When the installer prompts you to choose a path, click "Browse" (or Browse) and specify the drive and folder on it where you want to place your application.

What about already installed programs that fill up the system disk? You can cut the folder with the program on the C drive and copy it to a new medium, and then replace the paths to the program in the Start menu.

But this can theoretically also lead to system errors. Therefore, the most reliable way is to uninstall the program via "Options" → "Applications", and then reinstall it on a new disk.

Games

Games take up a lot of space, and sometimes that's the only reason to buy an extra large SSD. To change the installation location of projects from Steam, do the following: click "Steam" → "Settings" → "Downloads". Click the Steam Library Folders button.

Then - "Add folder".

Select the desired drive and folder. If necessary, you can create a new one right in this window. Click Select.

Then click on your new folder and select "Set as default folder".

Now all new games will be installed there.

If necessary, you can transfer your existing Steam games to a new disc. To do this, close the client and exit it through the tray menu. Then open the folder with the Steam files, by default

C: / Program Files / Steam

… Delete everything from there except steamapps, userdata and Steam.exe.

Cut and paste the entire Steam folder to a new location, for example

D: / Games / Steam

… Then launch the client from the transferred folder and go to your account.

Users of the Epic Games Store, GOG, and those who buy games on good old discs, this method is not available. Therefore, the only way out for them is to delete the game and then reinstall it on another drive.