How to completely uninstall and let VS2022 install to the location I want

Hi xinyan zhu,

Thanks for reaching out here. The solution involves a clean removal and then a fresh install where you can set your desired paths correctly from the start.

Here is the step-by-step plan based on the official Microsoft documentation:

Step 1: Perform a Complete Uninstall

First, we need to remove all traces of the current installation.

1. Open the Visual Studio Installer from your Start menu.
2. Find Visual Studio 2022, click on the three dots (...), and select Uninstall.
3. For a more thorough cleanup that ensures all installation files and product information are removed, use the InstallCleanup tool. This is especially helpful if the standard uninstall isn't working correctly.
   • Close the Visual Studio Installer completely.
   • Open a Command Prompt as an administrator.
   • Run the following command:

     
             "C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft Visual Studio\Installer\InstallCleanup.exe" -i
     
     

   • Using the -i switch is recommended as it removes only the main installation files while preserving some shared components. Avoid using the -f flag unless you are certain you will not reinstall Visual Studio, as it can remove features used by other products.

You can find the full official guide for uninstallation here:

https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/visualstudio/install/uninstall-visual-studio?view=vs-2022

Step 2: Handle the Package Cache on Your D Drive

The core of your issue is that the package cache is anchored to the old location on your D drive. You need to clear this so the new installer isn't influenced by it.

• Navigate to the specific folder on your D drive that you used as the cache (for example, it might be D:\VS2022_cache or a similar path).
• You can safely delete this entire folder. This will force the new installer to create a fresh cache in your new desired location.

The official documentation for managing the package cache is available here:

https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/visualstudio/install/disable-or-move-the-package-cache?view=vs-2022

Step 3: Reinstall and Set Your New Locations

With everything cleared, you now have full control.

1. Download the latest Visual Studio 2022 installer from the official Microsoft website.
2. Run the installer. During the setup process, be sure to click on the Installation locations tab.
3. Here, you can precisely set all your preferred paths:
   • The main installation folder for the Visual Studio IDE.
   • The new download cache location (this will now be set to your chosen path).
   • The location for shared components, tools, and SDKs.

By following these steps, you should be able to start fresh and successfully install Visual Studio 2022 with both the application and its cache in the locations you want.

Hope this helps!