Comments for How do I install programs on a drive other than C:?

Comment from loboloco on 2010-08-12

2010-08-12T20:51:43Z

If the C-drive and the D-drive are on different physical drives, there likely would be some gain in speed. If D is merely a partition, there would be little, if any gain.

BTW, if you have separate drives, moving the switch file (virtual memory) to the D drive can provide significant gains.

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Comment from kiwi888 on 2010-02-14

2010-02-14T16:54:07Z

Thank you so very much for the registry tip. I absolutely hate when a program doesn't give you the choice. I shouldn't have to delete programs on C drive when I have 200 gigs to use on D!!!!

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Comment from Mike on 2010-01-27

2010-01-27T21:16:15Z

I have also heard that installing the os to the c: drive and programs to another drive is a good idea, particularly on a server. In fact, I believe that Dell offers this as an option when you order a server from them. I agree that it's a good idea to keep data on a separate drive, but most of my saved data exists in the "My Docs" folder. Can you move the location of "My Docs" to another drive, or will this confuse Windows?

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Comment from NoName on 2010-01-03

2010-01-03T19:06:18Z

"""""""""""Posted by: JH at July 8, 2009 2:10 AM
In the registry in the key
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion] there is a sting called ProgramFilesDir, by default with the value C:\ProgramFiles. If the value is changed to D:\ProgramFiles, I feel sure Windows wil propose this directory for installeng new programs. I have not tried this, and there might be a risk to confuse Windows with respect to allready installed programs, but why should there?"""""""""""""

I have tried this on my computer and this is possible, you just need change the path from C: to D: and restart computer and then all your program by default go to d: drive or a particular folder in it

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Comment from sammy on 2009-07-23

2009-07-23T16:12:10Z

Is it better to install programs on a separate drive, such as a partitioned D, and not on the C drive where my Windows XP is installed? I've been told this is better for the Windows system and less prone to slowing down but it can be so bothersome to have to make sure I'm not installing on the C every time.

While there might be a slight difference, I don't think it's significant. There's an argument for putting your data on a different drive, though, for ease of backup and restore.

- Leo
24-Jul-2009

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Comment from howiem on 2009-07-11

2009-07-12T04:00:13Z

If there is an option to install to other thban Drive C, I always install programs on another drive. For one thing, even if you have to reformat C Drive, at least some programs, usually utilities, will still work. In addtion it helps to remember which programs you were using, as you will still be able to see them. You may not want to reinstall all of them, but it will be easier to remember which ones ou want to continue using. And of course even Windows does not ahve to be installed on C drive. I've installed it on many other drives leaving C to contain the bootup information. At any rate I have never had a problem caused by installing programs on other drives.

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Comment from Torben Reffeld on 2009-07-08

2009-07-08T10:00:52Z

In the registry in the key
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion] there is a sting called ProgramFilesDir, by default with the value C:\ProgramFiles. If the value is changed to D:\ProgramFiles, I feel sure Windows wil propose this directory for installeng new programs. I have not tried this, and there might be a risk to confuse Windows with respect to allready installed programs, but why should there?

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Comment from JH on 2009-07-08

2009-07-08T09:10:32Z

It is possible to force-assign a drive letter using Disk Management. Of course, if you have lots of drives, it is necessary to mess around removing/changing lots of drive letters.

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Comment from Mr J McGarry on 2009-07-07

2009-07-07T17:56:59Z

for what it is worth I have installed windows from Win95a Win95b Win95c Win98se to my current Win XP in the last few times I find it it a good idea to make three hard drives. the first one is half of the whole. The second is half of the remainder. That way I have enough space to cover everything that I want on the drive.

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Comment from whs on 2009-07-07

2009-07-07T17:53:36Z

I would recommend to make room on the C: partition by moving the user files (Documents, Pictures, Videos, etc.) to D:. That is dead easy and will free up room.

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Comment from Ken B on 2009-07-02

2009-07-02T16:59:44Z

It used to be that adding a second drive with a primary partition on it would cause the secondary partition(s) on the primary drive to shift. (ie: the primary partition on the second drive became D:, and the former D: became E:.) I haven't seen that behavior in Windows for many years. I don't believe I have ever seen that happen when installing a removable device.

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Comment from Ziggie on 2009-07-02

2009-07-02T14:46:50Z

@Mark Jacobs:
Fixed disks (mounted inside the case) don't change drive letters between boots.

It is never a good idea to install software on a Windows machine on a removeable drive.

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Comment from Mark Jacobs on 2009-07-01

2009-07-01T20:30:26Z

It's sometimes risky to install a program on a drive other than c: because plugging in a device or something you may inadvertanty do may change the drive letters on your computer. Why not move a lot of your data files instead?

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A comment on: How do I install programs on a drive other than C:?

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