Alternate Program directory, all programs missing


  1. Posts : 4
    Windows 10 HP
       #1

    Alternate Program directory, all programs missing


    Hello, I have a multiple SSD/HD setup in my laptop. My main SSD that I use for the system isn't very large, so I use an alternate directory (not C:\Program Files (x86)) on my secondary SSD to install my programs. Things like Intuit Quickbooks, Office, and other 3rd party programs.

    Quickbooks was running an update of some sort and was in this nasty loop. I had to kill it, and then I rebooted. (I had just uninstalled Steam as well, fwiw) Now, all of the programs that I had installed in my alternate directory D:\Programs\XXXXXXXXXXX are now missing. Most of my directories are gone, except for a few that, what I'm guessing, are files that were locked.

    My file associations and program defaults are still intact, so there's still trace of those programs.

    I'm at a bit of a loss as to how this could have happened. Any help would be great.

    Thanks!
      My Computer


  2. Posts : 42,735
    Win 10 Pro (22H2) (2nd PC is 22H2)
       #2

    Hello, not obvious to me to suggest what might have happened, I'm afraid. Seems like some unfortunate glitch or bug.

    Splitting installed programs from the OS such that the install path is to a different physical disk to that containing the OS is definitely not a preferred configuration.

    It seems you can access the second SSD and read it, so I guess you haven't lost a partition. Have you tried any recovery software?

    More usefully, do you have any disk images you can restore?

    My file associations and program defaults are still intact, so there's still trace of those programs.
    That info. is from the registry on your first disk, but the primary files and folders for your programs are on the other disk.

    Without disk image backups, I can only suggest you try recovery software, but I doubt this will actually help you recover reliably or completely, and may not achieve anything.

    For interest: a discussion about using Recuva (well-known file recovery program) and SSDs:
    What to expect when using Recuva on an SSD c.f. HDD - Recuva Discussion - Piriform Community Forums
      My Computers


  3. Posts : 4
    Windows 10 HP
    Thread Starter
       #3

    THanks Dalchina, I suspected as much.

    Is there a place where a list of the different softwares would be kept? Like a directory list of the D:\PRograms directory?
      My Computer


  4. Posts : 14,046
    Windows 11 Pro X64 22H2 22621.1848
       #4

    I suggest running chkdsk x: /r against the SSD with the problem. Replace X: with it's drive letter.

    The best way to run this is to boot a Windows 10 install DVD or flash drive, click on Repair on the 2nd install window then follow to get to a Command Prompt. You'll have to look to see what drive letter is assigned to that SSD. The easiest way is to use diskpart, something like this:

    Code:
    C:\Users\rrkurtz>diskpart
    
    Microsoft DiskPart version 10.0.10586
    
    Copyright (C) 1999-2013 Microsoft Corporation.
    On computer: DESKTOP
    
    DISKPART> list vol
    
      Volume ###  Ltr  Label        Fs     Type        Size     Status     Info
      ----------  ---  -----------  -----  ----------  -------  ---------  --------
      Volume 0     L                       DVD-ROM         0 B  No Media
      Volume 1     C   Lenovo_C     NTFS   Partition    232 GB  Healthy    Boot
      Volume 2         Recovery     NTFS   Partition    450 MB  Healthy    Hidden
      Volume 3                      FAT32  Partition    100 MB  Healthy    System
      Volume 4     D   Lenovo_D     NTFS   Partition    732 GB  Healthy
      Volume 5     E   Lenovo_E     NTFS   Partition    732 GB  Healthy
      Volume 6     F   Lenovo_F     NTFS   Partition    398 GB  Healthy
      Volume 7     G   Lenovo_G     NTFS   Partition    698 GB  Healthy
      Volume 8     H   Lenovo_H     NTFS   Partition    698 GB  Healthy
      Volume 9     J                       Removable       0 B  No Media
      Volume 10    K                       Removable       0 B  No Media
      Volume 11    I                       Removable       0 B  No Media
    You should be able to pick out the SSD with the problem from that then run chkdsk x: /r

    Replace x: with the correct drive letter. Be patient and let it run to completion.
      My Computers


  5. Posts : 42,735
    Win 10 Pro (22H2) (2nd PC is 22H2)
       #5

    Meetloaf13 said:
    THanks Dalchina, I suspected as much.

    Is there a place where a list of the different softwares would be kept? Like a directory list of the D:\PRograms directory?
    A list of programs installed? There are programs that can list the software you've installed on your system, and of course there is the Control Panel, Programs and Features list.
      My Computers


 

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