How to Change the Default Install Location?

[Fingers]

I'm building a new system and I want to make the first partition for only Win98 and the swap file. I would like my apps to install onto the D: drive without having to manually changing the default install location from the usual C:\Program Files everytime I install a program.

I'm sure this has been covered before, but I couldn't dig it up.

Thanks

[BFlurie]

I think this is it:

REGEDIT4

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\Curr entVersion]
"ProgramFilesDir"="C:\\Progra~1"
"ProgramFilesPath"="C:\\Progra~1"

Change to your desired path.

[Fingers]

Thanks, I'll let you know. http://sysopt.earthweb.com/forum/smile.gif

[wyvrn]

Neato thanks http://sysopt.earthweb.com/forum/smile.gif

[Fingers]

BFlurie, YOU DA MAN!!!

Thanks for your quick reply, I posted a question, and went to CircuitCity to get an ATAPI Zip drive, when I got back, my question was answered. http://sysopt.earthweb.com/forum/smile.gif

[waferdog]

Thanks. I didn't even know that I had a question until I read this post. I put in a 30 gig HD last night and partitioned it three ways. I did all my installs to D:, manually setting the path. I never even thought of this.

[Fingers]

OK, another related question. Now that all my programs and files are stored on D: drive, how do I get Windows Explorer to open with D: expanded instead of C:?

I though it might be HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\Curre ntVersion\Explorer\User Shell Folders\Personal, but that's not it.

[BFlurie]

On your Explorer shortcut, r-click it, choose properties & make the command line:

C:\WINDOWS\EXPLORER.EXE /n,/e,D:\

You could change the D:\ to any "path" (D:\Programs) for Explorer to open to.

[Fingers]

How does he know this stuff?

Thanks http://sysopt.earthweb.com/forum/smile.gif

[BFlurie]

I got that a long time ago from W95's Resourse Kit on the installation CD. W98's is even better. It's actually good info from MICROSHAFT!? There's a first for everything....

[Fingers]

This one might not be so easy. http://sysopt.earthweb.com/forum/wink.gif

When I open Windows98SE Explorer, I see;

+ My Computer
+ My Documents
Internet Explorer
+ Network Neighborhood
Recycle Bin
Deleted Startup Items
Online Services


The contents of this "My Documents" seem to vary from PC to PC. For example, on the PC I just built, the actual "My Documents" folder that Windows creates in the root directory of C: is empty, yet that "My Documents" folder that is displayed underneath "My Computer" contains the files and folders that are in the "Documents" folder on D: drive. On my primary PC however, almost every folder on C: drive is listed under this "My Documents" folder, as well as all the actual files and folders that are stored in the real My Documents folder. On yet another machine, it lists the contents of the real My Documents folder, plus a few random desktop folders.

Do you have any idea what determines what is stored in this folder?

If you don't quite understand my question, just open Windows Explorer and collapse all the folders. There will be a "My Documents" folder listed, but the contents of this folder are probably not the same as your real My Documents folder.

Don't rack your brain if you don't know, it's not a problem... I'm just curious.