Resolved Change directory for Google Earth

I read the post "Sticky: Moving Windows XP default folders Rev1
Christer" and see that moving MSWinXP directories is not complicated. I am rather old school and have NEVER believed that moving directories was wise. Things change. Google Earth is great, but rather large. Also, Adobe Reader 9.2. I wish to move these directories from C:\ to D:\. Thank you.

 

Hi NeverBoring,

If I'm reading your post correctly, you want to move Adobe and Google to your D:\ partition. Correct?

The easiest way is to uninstall those apps and then reinstall them on your D drive.

First, make two new folders on the D drive (Google Earth and Adobe Reader). Then copy or cut and paste (or download a new copy) the .exe installation files into their respective folders. If you have anything saved, copy and paste it to the new folder(s). Next, Add\Remove Programs and uninstall Google and Adobe. Reboot. Next, goto the new folders you created and click on the .exe installation program and when it asks where to install, point it to the new folder(s).

 

yes/no

Thank you for your help. Unfortunately, both programs are, as far I can see, automatic installations from their web sites. Therefore, I am not offered the opportunity to choose the directory.

Let us return to my question. How can i move the automatic installation of a program from its directory in C:\ to D:\?

 

Hi (again) NeverBoring,

First, do the programs appear in the Add\Remove Programs list? If they do you can uninstall them. Adobe Reader shows up in mine, but I don't have Google Earth.

As far as installation in a different directory goes, first download the program and save it to your DeskTop — don't click "run" because it will default install in the C:\Programs folder.

Second, click the .exe and when you're clicking "next ", read each screen carefully. You'll see where it's defaulting the installation and it'll give you the choice to install there or select another location. I did it with Adobe to my D drive. There is some stuff in the C drive, but those are needed to run the program, temp files, etc. The bulk of it will be on the D drive.

I just plugged in an old HD without Adobe on it. On the 2nd or 3rd installation screen it says (at the bottom of the Adobe Reader 9 - Setup screen): "Change Destination Folder." Click the ▼ arrow at the top and navigate to the Adobe folder you created on the D drive.

 

There is another way to do this when fighting an automatic installation.
First create a folder named Program Files on the D: drive.
Go to Start\Run, type in REGEDIT and press Enter.
One the left side of the Registry Editor, go to this folder {Key}.

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion

On the right side of the Registry Editor, you will see this entry {Value};

ProgramFilesDir

Right click on it and select Modify. Simply change the C: to a D: , so it looks like this.

D:\Program Files

I believe you will need to reboot to make sure it takes affect. If you do not change it back, all other future installations will go there also.