Almost the whole enchilada of freshly installed programs is directed to be stacked up in the “Local Disk C” which is the default installation directory or path (which can be changed) that’s the way Windows OS has set it by default, withal, it is more appropriate and recommended location to keep approximately all the significant files for the software installed on the computer. However, it is not obligatory to adhere to the default install folder; the ball is in your court, choose any particular destination to keep all your program files at a place. Although, all the 32-bit files most frequently sit in the Program files folder located in the C drive and similarly the 64-Bit data is situated in Program files(x86) Folder, so, this is the typical location commonly utilized to keep all the records in. The reason behind is that the operating system itself is stored in the C disk, so it is recommended to keep all the program files in one place, again! It is not compulsory. In conjunction, keeping all the operational data at one place makes the things elementary, for instance, if you ever come across predicaments regarding your operating system and it’s highly likely that a single file may cause the whole chaos. So if you have multiple locations to save the files, it will be a tiresome task to search for the appropriate data, anyways, if you do not consider it as a big deal, you are more than welcomed to carry out the amendments, make hay while the sun shines.

Withal, “C” disk being the default directory for all the files whether they are pre-installed or not, carries a whole stack of files which occupies immense storage capacity, over and above, if there are heaps of files installed, chances are the “C drive” will be suffused and won’t welcome files to be saved any further. And so forth, there comes the dire need to shift the default directory to another path. Thus, to refrain from facing any obstructions regarding the new files due to the inefficient storage capacity of the default directory, there are multiple methods available for the Windows user let it be Windows 7, 8, 8.1 or 10. The consumer may apply changes to all the above mentioned operating systems with the help of following instructions, switch around the path for program files, cut the mustard and get things done.

Changing The Default Installation Directory In Windows 10/8/7

Screen Shot No.01 & 02

This approach works for Windows 7, Windows 8.1and Windows 10. It is pretty practical as enables the user to change the Directory settings itself. Refer to the first screenshot (No. 01 & 02).In the taskbar Type Regedit to access the Registry or RIGHT-Click on the Windows Icon, Click on Run and Type Regedit in the newly opened box with the search bar. The process above will lead towards the Registry editor, navigate with the help of these instructions: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE > SOFTWARE > Microsoft > CurrentVersion. Or simply paste this into the search bar of Registry editor: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\CurrentVersion

It will advance towards a new window with a mass of titles and information on the left side of the window. Look around there will be two files named ProgramFilesDir and ProgramFilesDir (x86), the two files will be visible on the system running on 64-Bit.

Click on any of the ProgramFilesDir, and it will lead towards a box to Edit the string and make a change to the bar where C:\Program Files is stated, replace the file name with the one you would like to set as your default directory.

• Afterward, Restart the system to implement the changes, and from this point onwards, all the files will be saved to the picked Disk.

Screen Shot No.03

This method is helpful for Windows 7 and Windows 8 Users equitably. The user may change the default directory using some programs that are specifically designed to perform actions like these. So in order to change the locations for files or change the Directory from default to any other disk you may utilize Dir Changer. It is a free utility to be acquired to implement changes regarding directory; moreover, the application is entirely costless and lightweight. Does not require any setup or installation it is a small and a practical program which has nothing to contribute to the hassle, in fact, a straightforward and facile app. Simply perform the action and discard the program after you are done with it.

• Download the application.
• Initiate the software, you will notice it is an uncluttered descent program, Click ENABLE EDITING.
• Choose the location for the Program files, change it from the default location to the one you would like to go for.

Note down that the files already saved to the default Directory won’t be moved to the new one, only the files from future will be that part of the recently changed location.

The application will be displayed with the message as demonstrated below, and Windows 10  users can not utilize this software for genuine reasons. Even if you try to Click on Ignore This Warning, the application won’t enable you to make changes to the system.

Instead, Click on the Open Storage Settings, and you will be allowed to chose the new path for the files to be saved to. The instructions underneath will enable you to make changes to the system without employing an external software.

Screen Shot No.04 & 05

This Method is supportive of Windows 10 only. From the taskbar Click on the Windows button and Select the Settings option (Gear Icon) on the left-side of the menu. Refer to screenshots No. 04 & 05.

As soon as you click on the settings, it will advance towards the Settings Window as Pictured below. Click on the System Icon, once again you will be led to a new Setting Windows, Click on the Storage option from the Left side of the screen.

In the middle of the screen under the title, More Storage Settings click on “Change where new content is saved.”

The next action will take you to another screen where you can clearly see the options to make changes to where your specific files can be saved. Click on each box, and a drop-down menu with Local Disk locations will be visible, select accordingly to choose the new site. Now on each new installation, the lately picked path would be displayed.

After implementing changes make sure to restart to double check if the procedures have hit the spot and have been beneficial. Good Luck!