Change the default location where software will be installed and where the “common files” will be stored. These are normally found in C:\Program Files and C:\Program Files\Common Files\. Both can be on independent volumes. This can be useful if, say, you’re running out of space on the C: drive, and want to instruct Windows to forever look elsewhere while installing programs. Removes the burden of pressing “browse” and browsing to the desired location.
Navigate to:
HLM\ SOFTWARE\ Microsoft\ Windows\ CurrentVersion
Specify the String Value of the path of the new directories. For Common Files the setting is CommonFilesDir, and for Program Files the setting is ProgramFilesDir. All new software that is installed will refer to this key to identify where the common files and program files should be stored by default.
