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How Do You Change The Default Install Directory?
How would you go about changing the default install directory. I just freshly installed vista x64 and was wondering how to change the default install directory from Program Files (x86) to just Program Files. Anyone know??
Staff member
Vista Guru
Gold Member
How would you go about changing the default install directory. I just freshly installed vista x64 and was wondering how to change the default install directory from Program Files (x86) to just Program Files. Anyone know??
Hi bongripper420
I would advise against trying to change these system folders they are there for a reason
Program Files is for native 64 Bit applications
Program Files(X86) is for 32 Bit applications running in emulation mode
Hope this helps
Operating System
Windows 10 Pro x64 Latest Release Preview
Monitor(s) Displays
Acer G276HL 27", (DVi) + Samsung 39" HDTV (HDMI)
Screen Resolution
2 x 1920x1080 @50Hz
Manufacturer/Model
Real World Computers (Custom by Me)
CPU
AMD FX8350 Vishera 8 Core @4GHz
Motherboard
Asus M5A78L-M USB3
Memory
32GB [4x8GB] DDR3 1600 MHz
Sound Card
ASUS Xoner DG + SPDIF to 5.1 System + HDMI
Monitor(s) Displays
Samsung 32" TV
Screen Resolution
1920 x 1080
Hard Drives
Internal
Crucial CT256MX100SSD1 256GB SSD,
Seagate ST2000DM001-1CH1 2TB,
External (USB3)
Seagate Backup+ Hub BK SCSI Disk 8TB
2.5/3.5 Hot Swap Cradle, USB3 + eSata (client HDDs)
NAS 4TB
PSU
Aerocool Templarius Imperator 750W 80+ Silver
Case
AeroCool X-Warrior Red Devil Tower
Cooling
Hyper103 CPU, Rear 120mm, Front 2x120mm, Side 2x120mm
Internet Speed
68 MB Down 18.5 MB Up
Other Info
Six Sensor Auto / Manual Digital cooling (Fan) control with Touch control Panel
oh ****
so when a program trys it install to the x86 it means its 32 bit? and if it goes to just program files its 64?
Staff member
Vista Guru
Gold Member
yes that's it exactly. in a perfect world all programs would have a fully 64bit version but until then this is vista's way of handling the issue
Operating System
Windows 10 Pro x64 Latest Release Preview
Monitor(s) Displays
Acer G276HL 27", (DVi) + Samsung 39" HDTV (HDMI)
Screen Resolution
2 x 1920x1080 @50Hz
Manufacturer/Model
Real World Computers (Custom by Me)
CPU
AMD FX8350 Vishera 8 Core @4GHz
Motherboard
Asus M5A78L-M USB3
Memory
32GB [4x8GB] DDR3 1600 MHz
Sound Card
ASUS Xoner DG + SPDIF to 5.1 System + HDMI
Monitor(s) Displays
Samsung 32" TV
Screen Resolution
1920 x 1080
Hard Drives
Internal
Crucial CT256MX100SSD1 256GB SSD,
Seagate ST2000DM001-1CH1 2TB,
External (USB3)
Seagate Backup+ Hub BK SCSI Disk 8TB
2.5/3.5 Hot Swap Cradle, USB3 + eSata (client HDDs)
NAS 4TB
PSU
Aerocool Templarius Imperator 750W 80+ Silver
Case
AeroCool X-Warrior Red Devil Tower
Cooling
Hyper103 CPU, Rear 120mm, Front 2x120mm, Side 2x120mm
Internet Speed
68 MB Down 18.5 MB Up
Other Info
Six Sensor Auto / Manual Digital cooling (Fan) control with Touch control Panel
damn
okay thanks for your help man, appreciate it
CPU
AMD 6000+ (3.0Ghz Dual)
Motherboard
ASUS KN9 SLI
Memory
2*1GB PC8300 1066Mhz OCUK Value RAM
Graphics card(s)
2* Nvidia GeForce 9600GT
Sound Card
Onboard
Monitor(s) Displays
20.1" hp
Screen Resolution
1680*1050
Hard Drives
1* Samsung F1 - 750GB (Vista)
2* Samsung T1 - 500GB (RAID1)
1* Hitachi Deskstar - 250GB (Ubuntu)
PSU
700W X-Power
Case
Thermaltake Armour
Cooling
Non-Stock Heatsink
Mouse
Razor Copperhead (Blue)
Keyboard
Microsoft Ergonomic 4000
Internet Speed
2Mb/s (Landline). 1Mb/s (Mobile)
Staff member
Vista Guru
Gold Member
Hi Clintonio,
that link is for XP
I would not advise anyone to alter that setting in Vista x64 for the reasons stated in my original post.
The actual locations of the system folders may be changed by the use of "Junction Points" but that in itself is a fairly complex matter when dealing with system folders.
Operating System
Windows 10 Pro x64 Latest Release Preview
Monitor(s) Displays
Acer G276HL 27", (DVi) + Samsung 39" HDTV (HDMI)
Screen Resolution
2 x 1920x1080 @50Hz
Manufacturer/Model
Real World Computers (Custom by Me)
CPU
AMD FX8350 Vishera 8 Core @4GHz
Motherboard
Asus M5A78L-M USB3
Memory
32GB [4x8GB] DDR3 1600 MHz
Sound Card
ASUS Xoner DG + SPDIF to 5.1 System + HDMI
Monitor(s) Displays
Samsung 32" TV
Screen Resolution
1920 x 1080
Hard Drives
Internal
Crucial CT256MX100SSD1 256GB SSD,
Seagate ST2000DM001-1CH1 2TB,
External (USB3)
Seagate Backup+ Hub BK SCSI Disk 8TB
2.5/3.5 Hot Swap Cradle, USB3 + eSata (client HDDs)
NAS 4TB
PSU
Aerocool Templarius Imperator 750W 80+ Silver
Case
AeroCool X-Warrior Red Devil Tower
Cooling
Hyper103 CPU, Rear 120mm, Front 2x120mm, Side 2x120mm
Internet Speed
68 MB Down 18.5 MB Up
Other Info
Six Sensor Auto / Manual Digital cooling (Fan) control with Touch control Panel
Hi Clintonio,
that link is for XP
Visit that location in the registry. You'll see that it contains related items.
Oh yes, and this;
Changing the Program Files directory in XP and Vista « Chris’s Tech Blog
I've not tested it myself, but I just applied it to my machine anyway.
As for not recommending it, that's fine for most people. But I enjoy messing with Vista. My system I am posting from doesn't even use default user profile locations. I just dislike the default structure of Vista.
CPU
AMD 6000+ (3.0Ghz Dual)
Motherboard
ASUS KN9 SLI
Memory
2*1GB PC8300 1066Mhz OCUK Value RAM
Graphics card(s)
2* Nvidia GeForce 9600GT
Sound Card
Onboard
Monitor(s) Displays
20.1" hp
Screen Resolution
1680*1050
Hard Drives
1* Samsung F1 - 750GB (Vista)
2* Samsung T1 - 500GB (RAID1)
1* Hitachi Deskstar - 250GB (Ubuntu)
PSU
700W X-Power
Case
Thermaltake Armour
Cooling
Non-Stock Heatsink
Mouse
Razor Copperhead (Blue)
Keyboard
Microsoft Ergonomic 4000
Internet Speed
2Mb/s (Landline). 1Mb/s (Mobile)