Member Avatar for mu2

When we install a Application Software in Windows 7/8, it installs automatically in C: Drive. More presicely in,
C: Drive > Program Files > Application.
Say for example Opera Browser. The main Files of Opera Browser get installed in,
C: Drive > Program Files > Opera.
Also the supplementary files get installed in
C: Drive > My PC > AppData(Hidden Folder) > Local > Opera &
C: Drive > My PC > AppData(Hidden Folder) > Roaming > Opera
What I want to know is whether it is possible to set up these files in a different Drive, say, F: Drive so that the Files of Opera Browser get installed in,

F: Drive > Program Files Vault > Opera
F: Drive > My PC > AppData(Hidden Folder) > Local > Opera &
F: Drive > My PC > AppData(Hidden Folder) > Roaming > Opera

  • 3 Contributors
  • 7 Replies
  • 415 Views
  • 1 Month Discussion Span
  • Latest Post Latest Post by mu2

Dani AI

Generated

Short answer for : there is no single, safe “move everything off C:” switch that will work for every program. Windows, installers and many apps expect core files and per‑user data on the system volume. That said, there are practical, reliable options you can choose depending on how intrusive or risky you want to be.

If an installer asks for a destination, pick your F: folder (cleanest). When it doesn’t, the safest approach is uninstall + reinstall and specify F:. If you need the program relocated after installation, two low‑risk techniques work well in most cases:

  • Mount the other drive into a folder under C: (Disk Management → Change Drive Letter and Paths → Add → “Mount in the following empty NTFS folder”). Create an empty folder such as C:\Program Files\Vault and mount F: there. Installers that insist on a C:\ path will then write to the mounted volume transparently.

  • Use a directory junction to move a single program folder. Steps: copy the folder to F:, rename the original as a backup, create a junction, test, then delete the backup when satisfied. Run an elevated Command Prompt to do this. Example (adjust paths for your app):

robocopy "C:\Program Files\Opera" "F:\Program Files Vault\Opera" /E /COPYALL /XJ
ren "C:\Program Files\Opera" "Opera_backup"
mklink /J "C:\Program Files\Opera" "F:\Program Files Vault\Opera"

Cautions and practical notes: some apps (Office, system components, updaters) will still leave parts on C: or break if moved; uninstall/reinstall is usually safest. Don’t change ProgramFilesDir or move entire user profiles unless you have a full backup and system image—those registry/profile edits are easy to break and can affect Windows Update and other services. If you only need to save space, consider portable versions (as mentioned by ) or moving large caches/data folders rather than executables. Thanks to for the app‑by‑app direction—pick the method above per program and back up before you make major changes.

Recommended Answers

All 7 Replies

Member Avatar for mu2

, Opera was just an example. I want to know in general about all the applications. And yup I've tried Opera Forums but with no results.

Edited by mu2
Member Avatar for rproffitt

There is no always works system wide setting. You tackle this app by app. Sorry to be brief about it but many have asked such for decades but that answer hasn't really changed. You work it with each app. This means the easy fix is to let C be big enough for apps and more.

Member Avatar for mu2

, I too have tried on many forums to find answer to my question. But for no avail. But thanks for replying.

Member Avatar for rproffitt

. The issue or question does not have an answer that works for all apps. That's why you can't find the answer.

The answer changes for each app. Well, it's not that bad. Many apps ask where to install, so for those you change it. For apps that don't then you ask around.

Let me broach TWO MORE THINGS.

One. Given the OS in question it is not entirely possible for all apps to not install something on the C drive. There are long raging discussions about how Office installs stuff on C even when you said F. There have been folk that want ALL of an app on another drive. This will never happen with say Office (from Microsoft for versions up to this day.)

Two. Now there is another exit. I forgot to mention it. Go look for Portable Apps. Sometimes there's a portable version that runs entirely from it's own folder on almost any drive. I see Opera and other such titles on portableapps.com.

Member Avatar for CimmerianX

I agree with rprofitt. portableapps is great. You can carry apps on a usb and use them where you want. It has value especially when , like me, you carry an arsenal of tools on a Read only USB for malware cleanup, etc...

commented: Thank you CimmerianX. +8
Member Avatar for mu2

, , Sorry for the late reply guys, I was out of station for a month. And I understand it. Apps like Avant Browser ask where to install, so for those I change the location. But Avant Browser is an exception. And yes I too use Portables whereever possible. Thanks for replying guys.

Edited by mu2
Be a part of the DaniWeb community

We're a friendly, industry-focused community of developers, IT pros, digital marketers, and technology enthusiasts meeting, networking, learning, and sharing knowledge.