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Thread ID: 46844 2004-07-07 08:57:00 Changing locations of folders from hd 2 hd mister harbies (5607) Press F1
Post ID Timestamp Content User
250443 2004-07-07 08:57:00 I have two hard drives. 16gb and 80gb.

Windows XP Pro is installed on the 16gb hard drive along with 'my documents' etc.

I want 'my documents' to be stored on the 80gb hard drive because the 16gb hard drive is almost full... I will also want to move the 'program files' folder too.

Is there some registry hack or something that will make win xp think 'my documents' has not moved, and that files will automatically be saved to the 'my documents' folder on the 80gb hd.

I don't want to encounter the 'folder missing' nag screen

Hope this is clear and simple :)

Mister Harbies
mister harbies (5607)
250444 2004-07-07 09:06:00 Yes, it is easy enough to do. Just create a new "Documents" folder on your other hard drive and then in the Properties box of a My Documents shortcut (eg on the Start Menu, or wherever) change the Target location to the new path.

> I will also want to move the 'program files' folder too.

You can't. Windows will throw a major hissy fit if you just "move" the programs folder. You can, however, install new programs to your other drive in a second "Programs" folder.
Susan B (19)
250445 2004-07-07 09:42:00 Okay thanks Susan B!

My documents = sweet

Program Files . . . but everytime I install software, the default installation folder is the 16gb hd . Could I tell Windows that the 80gb hd will be the default from now on?

Rather than moving 'program files', I just install further programs into another drive . But need to tell windows that the new drive will be the default, soI don't need to keep changing it all the time .

Mister Harbies
mister harbies (5607)
250446 2004-07-07 09:55:00 Hi mh. When I did a similar change I had to tell Word 2000 where to look for files to open and where to store them. Through a similar query here I found that I had to go to Tools/Options/File Locations and change the File Types = Documents to read the new location - in my case to read E:\Correspondence. Scouse. Scouse (83)
250447 2004-07-07 09:57:00 I think you will find that the default location for program installations is due to the program rather than a Windows thing. Altering the drive from "C" to "D" is done by choosing browse rather than accepting the default when you install.

Programs don't seem to have any problems from there and normally recognise the "D" drive location automatically when you update them.

HTH
Gorela (901)
250448 2004-07-07 10:50:00 A search of the forum often works wonders *Sigh...* (pressf1.pcworld.co.nz)

7.3.6 Change the Default Location for Installing Programs
XP uses the C:\Program Files directory as the default base directory into which new programs are installed. However, you can change the default installation drive and/or directory by using a Registry hack. Run the Registry Editor and go to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\Curr entVersion. Look for the value named ProgramFilesDir. By default, the value will be C:\Program Files. Edit the value to any valid drive or folder; XP will use that new location as the default installation directory for new programs.

And you can actually change the 'Program Files' folder, even the common files folder. Simply copy the whole 'Program Files' directory to the new location, then search for the registry key for the program files location. Then you have to go into the environment variables setup and change it to the new location as well. That's in the System Properties section. It works, but its a little dodgy. I say just install all newer programs to the other drive.
kiki (762)
250449 2004-07-07 10:51:00 also "custom install" gives the option to change the install directory as well depends on the application you are installing beama (111)
250450 2004-07-07 23:27:00 > A search of the forum often works wonders *Sigh...*

> 7.3.6 Change the Default Location for Installing Programs

So that is where that thread got to -I was looking everywhere for that and thought Babe Ruth had posted it. No wonder I couldn't find it. :-(

It would be good if it was in the FAQ section actually. ;-)
Susan B (19)
250451 2004-07-07 23:47:00 I did actually do a search for something like that. PressF1 is actually getting bigger all the time, so it getting more information and more difficult to find what I want.

Thanks for the help guys.

Will try this and if it does not work, will give a holla.

Mister Harbies
mister harbies (5607)
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