Okay so I have recently reformated and I created a partition just for my Windows XP OS. The problem is it is on my C: drive and whenever I want to install new things the prompt always starts in C:. Is there any way I can change the drive letters?

EDIT: I did some searching and found out you can't do this so is there some kind of fix that will make my computer want to install everything to another drive besides C?

doubt it because the default install to c is based from the programs you're installing. programs are coded to have a default install path so you'll just have to change in manually when it asks. changing the drive letter (even though you shouldn't since window acts wierd when its not on the c drive) won't change the software from trying to install to the c drive first.

I have never heard of a way to successfully do this either, and I agree with Enko.

Is this what you are looking for:

This information was obtained out of an E-book called: O'Reilly, Windows XP hacks.

7.3.6 Change the Default Location for Installing Programs
XP uses the C:\Program Files directory as the default base directory into which new programs are installed. However, you can change the default installation drive and/or directory by using a Registry hack. Run the Registry Editor and go to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\Curr entVersion. Look for the value named ProgramFilesDir. By default, the value will be C:\Program Files. Edit the value to any valid drive or folder; XP will use that new location as the default installation directory for new programs.


NOTE: Making changes to the Registry should not be done carelessly - if you use Registry Editor incorrectly you can cause serious problems that may require you to reinstall your operating system.

Great find Aaron, I am sure I will use this at some point. I will still have to edit on occasion though as some installers have extra folders added that I don't need, plus I categorize apps by folder too.
Examples:

D:\Program Files\Games\BF1942
D:|Program Files\Benchies\Aquamark

Just makes for less clutter that way.

Good info arron...

I hate it when vendors bury games in folders...

Start -> Programs -> EA Games -> NFSU2 -> nfsu.exe

Who the hell needs the goddam EA Games folder?

Hey Aaron, I can't find this reg key! I've been looking for over ten minutes in your listed directory and i'm stumped! Help me...

Quote: Originally Posted by pimp joose Who the hell needs the goddam EA Games folder?

EA Games is the reason I started using my current method.

Quote: Originally Posted by konai_konai666 Hey Aaron, I can't find this reg key! I've been looking for over ten minutes in your listed directory and i'm stumped! Help me...

It isn't a subfolder under Current Version. Single click on the current verion folder (not interested in any subfolders) and look at the keys. There should be one called ProgramFilesDir
alter the value by right clicking on that key and choose modify. From there you can change the C to D or whatever partition you choose.

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Thanks aaron this has saved me the time (small amount but still annoying) of directing where I want most of my new installs to go.