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Renaming ProgramData OR Program Files

Anonymous
2016-01-17T20:26:12+00:00

this question applies to Win 10 as well (but with 2 directories).

Windows 8.1 has 3 directories:

"Program<space>Files", and 

"Program<space>Files<space>(x86)", and 

"Program<nospace>Data"

This bothers me - i don't care if all HAVE the space, or if all have the space REMOVEd, but i want to make them CONSISTENT!

(what can i say? it's the  a n a l  in me)

Can this be done without invoking a bucketful of more problems ?

Windows for home | Previous Windows versions | Files, folders, and storage

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  1. Anonymous
    2016-02-08T23:49:46+00:00

    Hi,

    If you are creating a new folder to put the newly installed programs into, you can name it however you want, and that is what the programs will use...

    They still might put some of there files in ProgramData though...

    The biggest issue is with the programs that are already installed, and convincing them to use a different location...

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  2. Anonymous
    2016-01-31T06:51:30+00:00

    you don't need a screen shot.

    go to file explorer.

    Microsoft creates "Program Files" and "ProgramData" - 

    Every machine has this.

    i want to know how to 

    a) remove the space from "Program Files" and rename it to "ProgramFiles"

    OR

    b) add a space to "ProgramData" and rename it to "Program Data"

    EITHER WAY - I DON'T CARE.

    I JUST WANT THE DIRECTORIES NAMED CONSISTENTLY 

    AND HAVE THE MACHINE STILL WORK!!!

    WHAT DO I DO?

    1 person found this answer helpful.
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  3. Anonymous
    2016-02-08T21:41:00+00:00

    i know there are many problems with renaming Program Files - lots of write ups on the internet. none on Program Data, i was hoping it would be easier. for the record, when i install new software (not the ones that come with installation CDs, the ones you download and get put into "Downloads", i wanted to create a "Program Installs" directory to segregate them and them alone, the problem being: do i create "Program<space>Installs" or "Program<no space>Installs" 

    i wish the Microsoft people on the east coast that come up with these names would talk to the Microsoft people on the west coast that come up with these names and be consistent! (in this case and in other areas as well)

    bottom line - can't do a dang thing!

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  4. Anonymous
    2016-01-31T08:40:05+00:00

    Hi,

    You don't want to rename them... It will cause more problems than you can ever imagine...

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  5. Anonymous
    2016-01-18T13:33:36+00:00

    Hi,

    Thank you for contacting Microsoft Community.

    The issue description seems a bit unclear and I would like to have a better understanding before we start working on it. I would appreciate if you could help me with more information.

    What exactly are you trying to do ?

    What do you mean when you say "This bothers me - i don't care if all HAVE the space, or if all have the space REMOVEd, but i want to make them CONSISTENT! "?

    I would recommend you to include a screenshot of the issue to help us understand the root cause of the problem and provide appropriate solution steps.

    Here is how to include a screenshot in your post

    http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/wiki/windows\_other-windows\_programs/how-to-include-a-screenshot-in-your-post/2594b08e-32a3-476a-85a6-b021181be7e4

    Please reply with the required information and a screenshot of the issue, we’ll be glad to assist you.

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