Why can't I choose the install directory?


B

BSM48

Member
Local time
11:06 PM
Posts
3
OS
Windows 11 25H2
I want all my software installed in the C:\ folders - Programs (x86) and Programs. Now and again an installer will wander into C:\Users and install MY software somewhere else.

Why does Microsoft insist on software being installed in other than the 2 program folders? I am the sole user and Administrator so I don't need separate User accounts/domains.

On a couple of occasions I have endeavoured to install where I want the software to reside and, presumably because of the Registry, the app either doesn't run or causes errors, e.g. file locations etc. I am tired of trying to find where my software has ended up.

This is my PC, not Microsoft's, and I would like complete control of it. Is there some hack or Registry entry where I can prevent installation in the bowels of C:\Users? I was using Windows at the time that Bill Gates was playing in his garage. WYSI not WYG.
 

My Computer My Computer

At a glance

Windows 11 25H23.00 gigahertz Intel Core i7-970064Gb RAMIntel(R) UHD Graphics 630
OS
Windows 11 25H2
Computer type
PC/Desktop
Manufacturer/Model
Dell 7070 SFF
CPU
3.00 gigahertz Intel Core i7-9700
Motherboard
Dell Inc. 0YNVJG A02
Memory
64Gb RAM
Graphics Card(s)
Intel(R) UHD Graphics 630
Sound Card
Intel(R) Display Audio, PRO X, Realtek(R) Audio
Monitor(s) Displays
2 x DELL SE2416H 24"
Hard Drives
1 x 246Gb NVMe, 2 x 512Gb SSD
Internet Speed
Down: 75Mbps; Up 17Mbps
Browser
Vivaldi 8.2.4133.45
Antivirus
MalwareBytes, ZoneAlarm
Other Info
Networked with HP ProDesk 600 G6 Micro Tower
KVM installed
There are entries in C:\Users\YourUserName\AppData even though apps have been installed in Program Files(x86) or Program Files.

Maybe that's what your talking about...

You own your PC, but not the Microsoft software...you're licensed to use it.
 

My Computer My Computer

At a glance

Windows 11 Pro 25H2
OS
Windows 11 Pro 25H2
Computer type
Laptop
Manufacturer/Model
Toshiba
Windows doesn't choose where a non-MS app installs to. That's up to the dev team of each individual app.

For UWP (or Store) apps, the security model mandates that a private copy of the app be installed in your AppData folder so that it can be isolated from other users who could be sharing the same PC. In this way, those users can install & uninstall the same UWP app without impacting your instance of the same app. This restriction doesn't apply to normal Win32 apps, which can choose to do whatever they want.

But there is no Windows policy which can block where an app installs. For UWP apps, you can specify another drive to keep the app folder, but it will always be under \WindowsApps.
 

My Computer My Computer

At a glance

Windows 7
OS
Windows 7
BSM48 said:
I want all my software installed in the C:\ folders - Programs (x86) and Programs. Now and again an installer will wander into C:\Users and install MY software somewhere else.

Why does Microsoft insist on software being installed in other than the 2 program folders? I am the sole user and Administrator so I don't need separate User accounts/domains.

On a couple of occasions I have endeavoured to install where I want the software to reside and, presumably because of the Registry, the app either doesn't run or causes errors, e.g. file locations etc. I am tired of trying to find where my software has ended up.

This is my PC, not Microsoft's, and I would like complete control of it. Is there some hack or Registry entry where I can prevent installation in the bowels of C:\Users? I was using Windows at the time that Bill Gates was playing in his garage. WYSI not WYG.
Click to expand...
I'm sure you're aware as a decades long Windows expert, (longer than even Bill Gates it would seem) that program installers generally determine where a program is installed though they do generally also follow MS guidelines. I mean, you don't want programs just randomly installing themselves just anywhere.
 

My Computer My Computer

At a glance

Windows 11 25H2Broadwell-e 6850K 4.5ghz @1.36v32GB Corsair LPM 3600 C16EVGA RTX 3080Ti FTW
OS
Windows 11 25H2
Computer type
PC/Desktop
Manufacturer/Model
EVGA home brew
CPU
Broadwell-e 6850K 4.5ghz @1.36v
Motherboard
EVGA X99 FTW K
Memory
32GB Corsair LPM 3600 C16
Graphics Card(s)
EVGA RTX 3080Ti FTW
Sound Card
Asus Centurion true 7.1 headset. (5 speakers in each earpeice)
Monitor(s) Displays
LG C4 55"
Screen Resolution
4K 144hz
Hard Drives
Various models of SSDs ~10TB No HDDs installed.
PSU
be quiet! BN516 Straight Power 12-1000w 80 Plus Platinum
Case
Corsair 780T modified to dual 200mm intake fans
Cooling
Corsair H110i
Keyboard
Corsair K95 Platinum
Mouse
Corsair M65 RGB Elite
Internet Speed
50Mbs
Thanks for the response.
I have software installed in C:\Users that does not reference either of the Programs folders. If I want to, for example, create a shortcut because the installer doesn't offer the option, I have to look for the .exe file.
Microsoft licenses me to use the software but that license doesn't include telling me where to install their product. For years all software was installed in either Programs or Programs(x86). There should be a simple switch that provides the choice.
 

My Computer My Computer

At a glance

Windows 11 25H23.00 gigahertz Intel Core i7-970064Gb RAMIntel(R) UHD Graphics 630
OS
Windows 11 25H2
Computer type
PC/Desktop
Manufacturer/Model
Dell 7070 SFF
CPU
3.00 gigahertz Intel Core i7-9700
Motherboard
Dell Inc. 0YNVJG A02
Memory
64Gb RAM
Graphics Card(s)
Intel(R) UHD Graphics 630
Sound Card
Intel(R) Display Audio, PRO X, Realtek(R) Audio
Monitor(s) Displays
2 x DELL SE2416H 24"
Hard Drives
1 x 246Gb NVMe, 2 x 512Gb SSD
Internet Speed
Down: 75Mbps; Up 17Mbps
Browser
Vivaldi 8.2.4133.45
Antivirus
MalwareBytes, ZoneAlarm
Other Info
Networked with HP ProDesk 600 G6 Micro Tower
KVM installed
That would require restricting all 3rd-party apps on Windows. I'm sure the EU would allow MS to use its "monopoly powers" to do that.
 

My Computer My Computer

At a glance

Windows 7
OS
Windows 7
What program…
 

My Computer My Computer

At a glance

Windows 11 Pro
OS
Windows 11 Pro
@BSM48 ...welcome to ElevenForum.

First, here's ten points just for filling out your computer specs. :-)






And... here's some other things that you may find useful...

www.elevenforum.com

Quickie Eleven Forum Setup Guide for new Members

Quickie Interface tour... Quickie set up... At the top right, click on your name, then choose "Preferences". Then go through everything on the left side. Quickie navigation... Click Forums and choose a subforum, OR... Click Forums, then New Posts or What's New Ranks, Trophies...
www.elevenforum.com www.elevenforum.com

www.elevenforum.com

Macrium Reflect, AOMEI Backupper and Hasleo Backup Suite - GUIDES

How to use backup software... 1. When everything is working perfectly... make a full Windows backup. 2. Then, if something breaks... restore from the latest backup. 3. Then... try "whatever you were doing" a different way. If it still breaks Windows, then... go to step #2. 4. Repeat...
www.elevenforum.com www.elevenforum.com

www.elevenforum.com

Windows 11 Tweaks - Leader Board.

These are tweaks I've seen asked for... many times. They are collected here for easy access. All of these and more can be found in the Eleven Forum Tutorials Make sure to read the "notes" in the various tutorials. At the bottom of the first post in all the "tutorials", there are links to...
www.elevenforum.com www.elevenforum.com




It's hard for us to help you unless you're fairly specific.
Which programs are you referring to, that don't install where you think they should?
 

My Computers My Computers

System One System Two

  • At a glance

    Win 11 Home ♦♦♦26300.9457 ♦♦♦♦♦♦♦26H2AMD Ryzen 7 3700XG.Skill (F4-3200C14D-16GTZKW)EVGA RTX 2070 (08G-P4-2171-KR)
    OS
    Win 11 Home ♦♦♦26300.9457 ♦♦♦♦♦♦♦26H2
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Built by Ghot® [May 2020]
    CPU
    AMD Ryzen 7 3700X
    Motherboard
    Asus Pro WS X570-ACE (BIOS 5302)
    Memory
    G.Skill (F4-3200C14D-16GTZKW)
    Graphics Card(s)
    EVGA RTX 2070 (08G-P4-2171-KR)
    Sound Card
    Realtek ALC1220P / ALC S1220A
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Dell U3011 30"
    Screen Resolution
    2560 x 1600
    Hard Drives
    2x Samsung 860 EVO 500GB,
    WD 4TB Black FZBX - SATA III,
    WD 8TB Black FZBX - SATA III,
    DRW-24B1ST CD/DVD Burner
    PSU
    PC Power & Cooling 750W Quad EPS12V
    Case
    Cooler Master ATCS 840 Tower
    Cooling
    CM Hyper 212 EVO (push/pull)
    Keyboard
    Ducky DK9008 Shine II Blue LED
    Mouse
    Logitech Optical M-100
    Internet Speed
    300/300
    Browser
    Firefox (latest)
    Antivirus
    Bitdefender Total Security
    Other Info
    Speakers: Klipsch Pro Media 2.1

  • At a glance

    Windows XP Pro 32bit w/SP3AMD Athlon 64 X2 5000+ (OC'd @ 3.2Ghz)TWIN2X2048-6400C4DHX (2 x 1GB, DDR2 800)EVGA 256-P2-N758-TR GeForce 8600GT SSC
    Operating System
    Windows XP Pro 32bit w/SP3
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Built by Ghot® (not in use)
    CPU
    AMD Athlon 64 X2 5000+ (OC'd @ 3.2Ghz)
    Motherboard
    ASUS M2N32-SLI Deluxe Wireless Edition
    Memory
    TWIN2X2048-6400C4DHX (2 x 1GB, DDR2 800)
    Graphics card(s)
    EVGA 256-P2-N758-TR GeForce 8600GT SSC
    Sound Card
    Onboard
    Monitor(s) Displays
    ViewSonic G90FB Black 19" Professional (CRT)
    Screen Resolution
    up to 2048 x 1536
    Hard Drives
    WD 36GB 10,000rpm Raptor SATA
    Seagate 80GB 7200rpm SATA
    Lite-On LTR-52246S CD/RW
    Lite-On LH-18A1P CD/DVD Burner
    PSU
    PC Power & Cooling Silencer 750 Quad EPS12V
    Case
    Generic Beige case, 80mm fans
    Cooling
    ZALMAN 9500A 92mm CPU Cooler
    Keyboard
    Logitech Classic Keybooard 200
    Mouse
    Logitech Optical M-BT96a
    Internet Speed
    300/300
    Browser
    Firefox 3.x ??
    Antivirus
    Symantec (Norton)
    Other Info
    Still assembled, still runs. Haven't turned it on for 15 years?
BSM48 said:
Microsoft licenses me to use the software but that license doesn't include telling me where to install their product
Click to expand...
Like it or not...that's their call.

What specifically, and where, is the stuff installing in C:\Users?
 

My Computer My Computer

At a glance

Windows 11 Pro 25H2
OS
Windows 11 Pro 25H2
Computer type
Laptop
Manufacturer/Model
Toshiba
@HeavyHemi
Thanks for the response.
1 I was using Xerox Network Services and their windows workstations written in ViewPoint. I remember when Windows 3 came out.
2 I'm not suggesting that installers decide themselves where to place the software. I'm asking why installation was allowed to occur in two places - C:\ and C:\Users. If it's Microsoft's idea to segregate users why bother keeping the two C:\ folders? If they insist on continuing with the Program folders why not allow a User to choose the install location?
 

My Computer My Computer

At a glance

Windows 11 25H23.00 gigahertz Intel Core i7-970064Gb RAMIntel(R) UHD Graphics 630
OS
Windows 11 25H2
Computer type
PC/Desktop
Manufacturer/Model
Dell 7070 SFF
CPU
3.00 gigahertz Intel Core i7-9700
Motherboard
Dell Inc. 0YNVJG A02
Memory
64Gb RAM
Graphics Card(s)
Intel(R) UHD Graphics 630
Sound Card
Intel(R) Display Audio, PRO X, Realtek(R) Audio
Monitor(s) Displays
2 x DELL SE2416H 24"
Hard Drives
1 x 246Gb NVMe, 2 x 512Gb SSD
Internet Speed
Down: 75Mbps; Up 17Mbps
Browser
Vivaldi 8.2.4133.45
Antivirus
MalwareBytes, ZoneAlarm
Other Info
Networked with HP ProDesk 600 G6 Micro Tower
KVM installed
GIMP is one program that, for some reason, wants to install into the AppData folder.
 

My Computer My Computer

At a glance

Windows 11 25H2Broadwell-e 6850K 4.5ghz @1.36v32GB Corsair LPM 3600 C16EVGA RTX 3080Ti FTW
OS
Windows 11 25H2
Computer type
PC/Desktop
Manufacturer/Model
EVGA home brew
CPU
Broadwell-e 6850K 4.5ghz @1.36v
Motherboard
EVGA X99 FTW K
Memory
32GB Corsair LPM 3600 C16
Graphics Card(s)
EVGA RTX 3080Ti FTW
Sound Card
Asus Centurion true 7.1 headset. (5 speakers in each earpeice)
Monitor(s) Displays
LG C4 55"
Screen Resolution
4K 144hz
Hard Drives
Various models of SSDs ~10TB No HDDs installed.
PSU
be quiet! BN516 Straight Power 12-1000w 80 Plus Platinum
Case
Corsair 780T modified to dual 200mm intake fans
Cooling
Corsair H110i
Keyboard
Corsair K95 Platinum
Mouse
Corsair M65 RGB Elite
Internet Speed
50Mbs
There's two installation models which are popular.

1. Apps which install in "Program Files" for all users, but you're stuck if two users want to use the same program but the shared version gets updated to a version which one user doesn't like.

2. Apps which install in your local AppData, this causes wasteful duplication of files but allows every user to keep their private versions and not worry if another user wants a different build for themselves.

It really reflects on what the dev thinks. And anyone who has worked with developers knows they always believe they're smarter than users. MS loves developers, and won't take a stand on the issue.
 

My Computer My Computer

At a glance

Windows 7
OS
Windows 7
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

Why Can't I Remove This Notification of Uninstalled App?
Replies
6
Views
4K
win9598xp7
W
Solved Why can't I get rid of xbox stuff?
Replies
18
Views
3K
Ghot
Ghot
Why can't I group my programs in the start menu?
Replies
1
Views
2K
abactuon
abactuon
Why should I choose Macrium Reflect?
6 7 8
Replies
149
Views
26K
bikemanAMD
B

Latest Support Threads

Latest Tutorials

Back
Top Bottom