How to Change the Default Installation Location on Windows 11/10

Learn how to Change the Default Installation Location on Windows 11/10 in this guide. For any files that you download or any new files that you create on the system, Windows 11 will automatically assign default save locations. In most cases, the default save locations are located on your local drive, which is commonly referred to as the C: drive. On the other hand, it is possible that you are running out of space on your local disc, which will require you to save files on a different drive.

Files that have been downloaded, personal folders, and other similar entities will be automatically saved on the C drive by default. Not only does the C drive serve as the boot disc for Windows, but it also stores all of the files and data that are associated with the system. It is for this reason that the C drive will occasionally become full.

For whatever reason, you have the ability to change the location where Windows 11 saves files by default. This tutorial will walk you through the process of changing the default save location for a variety of files, including documents, music, apps, photos and videos, new movies and television shows, offline maps, and even the Downloads folder itself. Here are the simple ways how to Change the Default Installation Location on Windows 11/10.

How to Change the Default Installation Location on Windows 11/10

Change Default Location for New Apps

1. Open Settings then Press Windows + I or click the Start button and select Settings.
2. Go to System > Storage.
3. Under “Save locations,” click “Change where new content is saved.”
4. Choose a new drive for each content type (apps, documents, music, etc.).

Move Already Installed Apps

1. Open Settings > Apps.
2. Locate the app you want to move.
3. Click “Move” and select a new drive or folder.
4. Not all apps support moving, especially those with integrated system components.

Change Default Location for Microsoft Store Apps

1. Click the Start button and search for “Storage Settings”.
2. Under “More storage settings,” click “Change where new content is saved.”
3. Under “New apps will save to,” select a new drive.

Change Location for Windows 11 Apps (Registry Method)

1. Open Registry Editor then Press Windows + R, type “regedit“, and press Enter.
2. Navigate to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion.
3. Right-click ProgramFilesDir and select “Modify”.
4. Change the value to the desired drive letter (e.g., D:\Program Files).
5. Repeat for ProgramFilesDir (x86) if applicable.
6. Restart your PC for changes to take effect.

Change Location for Desktop Apps (Environment Variables)

1. Right-click “This PC“ and select “Properties”.
2. Click “Advanced system settings”.
3. Under “System Properties,” click “Environment Variables”.
4. Under “System variables,” find “ProgramFiles” and “ProgramFiles(x86)”.
5. Edit their values to the desired drive letter.
6. Click “OK” on all windows.
7. Restart your PC for changes to take effect.

Why Change the Default Installation Location?

1. Managing Your Storage: If you choose a different installation directory, you can better manage your storage. This is especially helpful if your main drive doesn’t have much space and you want to install programmes on a bigger drive.
2. Organisational Preferences: Users may want to keep their apps in certain directories to keep them neat. By picking a custom installation location, you can organise your files and programmes in the way you like.
3. System Drive Preservation: Installing programmes on a drive other than the system drive can help keep your operating system healthy and running well. It keeps the main drive, which is usually the C: drive, from getting too full of useless programmes.
4. Multiple Drives: If your computer has more than one drive, installing programmes on a drive other than the default can help spread the load, which could make the system run faster overall.
5. Easy to Back Up: Putting apps in their own directory makes it easier to back them up. It’s easier to protect your installed programmes and data when you can choose which folders to back up.
6. How to Avoid Permission Problems: Some users may have problems installing programmes in the default system directory. These kinds of problems can be avoided by installing in a specific place.
7. Privacy and Safety: Choosing where to install something on your own adds an extra layer of privacy and safety. It gives you control over where your apps are stored, which is very important for private or sensitive data.

Benefits of Customizing Installation Paths

1. Security and Permissions: Custom paths provide control over file access and permissions, allowing users to install applications in locations where they have the necessary permissions, enhancing security.
2. Workflow Efficiency: Users can customize installation paths based on their workflow preferences, making it easier to locate and access specific applications or tools.
3. Backup and Recovery: Installing applications in custom paths allows users to include specific directories in their backup routines, making it easier to recover essential software and data in case of system failures.
4. Network Deployment: In enterprise environments, custom installation paths are crucial for network administrators to deploy software across multiple machines efficiently.
5. Avoiding System Drive Overload: Installing large applications or games on a separate drive can prevent the system drive from getting overloaded, which can impact overall system performance.
6. Flexibility for Developers: Developers often benefit from custom installation paths as they can choose where to install development tools and dependencies, aligning with their development environment.

Conclusion

Your computer will automatically install a new programme to a predetermined installation location whenever you install a new programme on your computer. In most cases, this folder is located on drive C. In the event that you are utilising a 32-bit version of Windows 11/10, the default installation location should be C:\Program Files on your computer. For a 64-bit version of Windows 11/10, the folder in question should be located at C:\Program Files.

As time passes, an increasing number of programmes will be installed on drive C, and it is possible that drive C will eventually run out of space. You have the ability to take some steps to free up disc space in the event that you experience this problem.

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