Hallo
Is there a method or so software that can prevent applications from being installed in C boot drive?
The reason I got an M.2 SSD is not big and I want it just for window and drivers
Thank you
Welcome to the forum. In general no when you install you can choose drive but some files may have to go on c due to windows finding the files in the path
It's complicated.
The simplest programs manually installed on D: may exist entirely on D: - except for their start menu entries.
Most programs create registry keys - the registry exists on C:
Many programs use working folders which may be in
- %appdata% on C:
- Documents, Videos, Photos.... (by default)
Some programs install drivers- hardware or software- and these exist on C:
Many programs save their setup files on C: e.g. for repair or modification- if you install large programs and many of them, this can take up Gbs of space.
Conclusion: even if you install these on D:, elements will be on C:
Reducing your use of C:
1. Don't use the default folders Documents, Videos etc- create your own folders and libraries on D: - or some other partition. This is what I do.
Ok, you can relocate these folders, but I've seen people get into some tricky situations having done that.
2. Move the working space or output folders of programs from C: to another partition
3. Move your page file to another drive4. Disable hibernation
5. Check to see how your space is used and act appropriately.6. Relocate your Windows search index to another drive if of significant size
These are basic suggestions. Others will have more and there are further possible steps to reduce the size of the OS.
Remember that an upgrade will create a folder about the size of your Windows folder, and you still need working space, so plan for this.
Cumulative updates are large.
Use Disk Cleanup to help occasionally.
If you physically can, get a larger disk.
My Windows partition is about 75Gb. I keep about 30Gb free and this has been pretty consistent. I have many programs installed. As you can see I have a 256 Gb M2 SSD.
Hi Sorry for being late. Thank you for the answer, I found this method
Which involve tweaking the registry a bit, I don’t know if I am supposed to do that but is working:
1) Start Registry Editor by entering “Regedit” in the run.
2) Locate the following:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion
3) Right click on the value named ProgramFilesDir & change the default value
C:\Program Files to the path you want to install all your programs in.
4) Click OK and Exit.
Hi, this is not an advisable thing to do.
It may well cause problems with Windows updates, certainly with Windows upgrades or in-place upgrade repair install.
It is not of great benefit as only the main install folder of programs are moved to (say) D:
The rest of the program using folders in user space on C: and temporary files, and any drivers they may install, plus the installer for the program if retained, are all on C:.
You're far better off installing programs manually to D: - no conflict with Windows that way.
I used to do this a few versions of Windows back and discovered the problems.
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