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    changing the default install directory...

    Discussion in 'Windows OS and Software' started by Irfan37, Dec 15, 2007.

  1. Irfan37

    Irfan37 Notebook Guru

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    So since I have 64 bit Vista when programs get installed their default locations are either under Program Files if the program is 64 bit or Program Files (x86) if the program is not 64 bit.

    I'm not a fan of splitting it all up into two folders so when I install programs I always change their install directory to just Program Files. However, lately there are some programs I've been trying to install which do not give me the option of choosing which folder I want to install to and instead are forcing themselves to be installed in the Program Files (x86) folder.

    So I was wondering if there's a way to change the Vista default setting when installing 32 bit programs from Program Files (x86) to just Program Files.
     
    Irfan37, Dec 15, 2007
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  2. Irfan37

    Irfan37 Notebook Guru

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    i'd even be willing to edit some registry info or special windows info to get this change worked out
     
    Irfan37, Dec 15, 2007
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  3. John B

    John B Notebook Prophet

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    Start regedit (Start --> Run --> regedit)

    Go to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion
    Do you have a key "Programfilesdir"?
     
    John B, Dec 15, 2007
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  4. Irfan37

    Irfan37 Notebook Guru

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    There are two keys:

    ProgramFilesDir and its data is C:\Program Files
    ProgramFilesDir (x86) and its data is C:\Program Files (x86)

    I tried changing ProgramFilesDir (x86)'s data to C:\Program Files but when I tried installing it was installed to Program Files (x86) anyways.
     
    Irfan37, Dec 15, 2007
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  5. John B

    John B Notebook Prophet

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    Did you reboot?
     
    John B, Dec 15, 2007
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  6. Irfan37

    Irfan37 Notebook Guru

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    yeah, twice actually. i restarted once...it didn't work so i thought something weird happened, tried turning it off completely and then turned it back on...still no go. the registry key does say just Program Files but it goes to (x86) anyways...I think I'll just let it and other programs install to that directory from now on. Thanks for your help though.
     
    Irfan37, Dec 15, 2007
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  7. Evolution

    Evolution Vox Sola

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    With 64 bit windows there needs to be 2 program files directories; 1 for 64bit programs and 1 for 32bit programs that are being emulated to 64bit with WOW64 (windows on windows 64). Windows is separating them because it wants to keep programs of the 2 different architectures separate from each other. It is because of this that 64bit windows actually has 2 copies of the registry one for 64bit programs (and running the desktop, etc.) and one for 32bit programs(being emulated WOW64).
     
    Evolution, Dec 15, 2007
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