By default Windows installs all the programs in C:\Program Files directory (or if you are using the 64-bit version in C:\Program Files (86) for 32-bit programs), you might want to change it if your C drive is running out of free space or safety reasons. If you wanted to install any antivirus program you need to use this tweak as they won’t give an option to change the default installation directory during product installation.

Warning
Changing the default installation path could have undesirable consequences. In some rare cases, progams expect to be in a certain place, and may error if relocated.




Changing the location is relatively simple, all you need to do is change a registry entry in order to change your default installation directory as follows:

1) Type "regedit" in the start menu or in the run dialog box and press enter.
2) Navigate to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion.


3) Change the entry named "ProgramFilesDir" and change the value to your new desired location. For 64-bit systems, there is another folder called "ProgramFilesDir (86)" for 32-bit applications. Change this as well to your new location.


4) Close regedit and reboot your computer.

From now on all new installs should go to your new location.

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