Windows Automatically Moving Program Files

I recently installed Windows 10. I did so to a small SDD that I planned on using for nothing more than Windows itself.

I immediately made sure to edit the registry upon install to set it so that Windows would install to the HDD.

(The programfilesdir and program files dirx86 at Computer\HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion were both changed to their respective folders on the D: drive respectfully). Now whenever I install a program, it tries to install there, or at least it will leave a shortcut linking to that drive, though the program will actually be installed onto the C: drive. I can't find any exmaples of other people having this issue and I have no idea what to do. My C: drive only has 120 gbs, and like this, it'll be quickly full.

Hi,

I am Ganesh Gandhi, an Independent Advisor, 18 years experienced windows guide. I am here to work with you on this problem.

As, you have made Registry change for Windows to install to the HDD.

(The programfilesdir and program files dirx86 at Computer\HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion - both changed to their respective folders on the D: drive respectfully).

You can move Windows Store apps also to a separate drive.

You can set destination folder as mentioned in the refereed website.

Kindly follow these steps in this site to set installation folder to different drive:

https://www.windowscentral.com/how-install-apps...

Do let me know if you require any further help on this. I will keep working with you until it's resolved.

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Thank you, Ganesh. I appreciate the help, though the problem I'm having is that the programs I'm trying to install either don't have an option for what directory they're supposed to be installed at and if they do, Windows is moving them forcibly to my C: drive. The website here is really only telling me to not click through the installation of a program without checking the install directory, which I try not to do anyway.

You can move program files to another drive/disk as below:

1. Using Registry Editor

Before you use this method, there are two things you need to do.

1. Create a folder named Program files (x86) on another drive (eg: D: drive)
2. Copy "Program Files" and "Program Files (x86)" directories to the new location first.

Run CMD as administrator and type following command prompt

Robocopy "C:\Program Files" "D:\Program Files" /mir

Robocopy "C:\Program Files (x86)" "D:\Program Files (x86)" /mir

Now, continue to see below.

Step 1: Press “Win + R”to summon the Run window, then type Regedit.exe

Step 2: Find the following path on Registry Editor and change drive letter from C: to D:

To Windows 7/8/8.1:

''HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion''

Program Files Path

To Windows 10:

'HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion''

2. Using command prompt

The second method is to create a symbolic link using Command Prompt. A symbolic link is a bit like the shortcuts to programs, folders and websites which attach to the desktop. When Windows or any program tries to access the folder, the symbolic link redirects it to the new location.

Step 1: Move “C: \Program Files” fodler to “D: \Program Files”

Step 2: Type cmd in the search box, click it and run as administrator

Step 3: Create a symbolic link with mklink. If you do not know how to use it, you can directly type mklink in the command prompt window. You can get some information concerned to create a symbolic link. Then, follow syntax below to create a symbolic link and press Enter finally.

mklink /D link Target

Taking create a symbolic link for “D: Program Files” as example, you are supposed to type：

mklink /D “Program Files” “D: Program Files”

“Program Files” is the name of your new symbolic link name.

“D: Program Files” is the path your new link refers to.

Symbolic Link

Note: If you have physical disks and want to move program files from SSD to HDD, you need to connect your HDD disk to your computer. Then, your computer will assign a drive letter or more for your hard drive. Finally, you can do as above. Aside by that, there is an easier way to move it from SSD to HDD. You can use disk cloning software to clone entire system drive or hard drive to your HDD.

Above ways can hep you to move program files to another drive on Windows 10 in a way. However, both ways have its own limitation. For the first way, you may encounter system crash if you misuse Registry Editor. For the second way, there is a risk that users cannot use the programs after moving program files.

Thus, I think it's essential to make a system backup for your computer. Even if you encounter problems like system crash, you still can restore your computer.