When we install new applications on our system, past default, they are installed in the system drive, which is usually the C bulldoze. The 32-fleck apps are installed in the "C:\Program Files(x86)" folder and the 64-flake apps are installed in the "C:\Program Files" folder past default.

If you are running out of space in your C drive, you tin can motion some apps to other drives without having to delete them then reinstall them at a new location.

Table of contents

  • Irresolute The Default Installation Folder for Windows Apps
    • Through Windows Settings
    • Using Windows Registry
  • How to Move Windows Apps to Another Drive
  • Closing Words

Programme Files is i of the near of import folders in C drive which takes ample space as more software is installed on the organisation. 1 way of freeing upwardly space in the C drive is to change the default installation location of the Microsoft Store apps also equally Win32 apps. This will not move the currently installed programs but all future programs will exist installed in the new location without manually irresolute the default installation path each time while installing an app.

Let u.s. prove you how y'all can move existing applications to another drive, and how to alter the default location for the Windows apps and so all new ones are installed in another bulldoze. The methods discussed in this post tin besides be practical to Windows 7 and Windows 8.1.

Irresolute The Default Installation Folder for Windows Apps

Through Windows Settings

Annotation: The post-obit method is focused on Windows xi. Even so, the same can exist applied to Windows ten with a few small-scale navigational changes.

Follow the steps given beneath to modify the default installation location for Windows apps:

  1. Navigate to the following:
    Settings app >> System >> Storage >> Advanced Storage Settings >> Where new content is saved
  2. Now click on the drop-down menu nether "New apps will be saved to" and select some other bulldoze to save the time to come applications to.
    settings new apps
  3. When selected, click Apply.
    apply

All new applications will now be saved to the selected drive. The installations will automatically make the new folders and directories along the way if and when required within the selected drive.

Using Windows Registry

The same can be achieved through Windows Registry. This method is the same for all Windows versions. Perform the post-obit steps to change the default location of the installation folder for new installing programs:

Misconfiguration of critical values in the system'due south registry could be fatal for your operating organization. Therefore, we insist that you create a system restore point before proceeding forwards with the procedure.

  1. Open the Registry Editor by typing in regedit in Run.
    regedit run
  2. Now paste the following in the address bar at the meridian for quick navigation:
    Computer\HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion
    reg nav 2
  3. On right hand side window, y'all will run into ProgramFilesDir and ProgramFilesDir (x86). Each of these defines the default location of where the 64-bit and 32-bit applications are to be installed, respectively. Double-click on both of them one after the other and define the new location where you wish to install the applications by default. We suggest that you create separate folders for 64 and 32-bit apps.
    new location
  4. Now restart the reckoner for the changes to take effect.

Yous can then begin installing the new Store or Win32 applications on your PC, and they will be installed in the new drive.

That said, you tin as well free up infinite past moving existing apps to another bulldoze other than C.

How to Movement Windows Apps to Another Drive

Yous tin only move the Store apps from one drive to another. Win32 applications cannot be moved. Follow the steps below to motility Windows applications:

Note: The following method is focused on Windows 11. Even so, the same tin can be practical to Windows x with a few pocket-sized navigational changes.

  1. Navigate to the following:
    Settings app >> Apps >> Apps & features
  2. Here, look for the app that yous desire to move from the list and click on the ellipses (3 dots) in forepart of it. For Windows 10, click on the app to expand it.
    ellipses
  3. At present click Move from the expanded menu.
    move
  4. Now select the drive y'all desire to move the app to and click Move.
    move 2

The application will now motility from the main bulldoze to the other drive.

If y'all do see that the Move button is greyed out, so the application cannot be moved. If yous meet that information technology has been replaced by the Change push, then it is a Win32 application, which can too non be moved.

modify
Modify Win32 app

Unfortunately, there is no user-friendly way to move a Win32 application. The only method to do and then is to uninstall it and and so select a new location through the installation wizard while reinstalling the app.

Closing Words

Use these manageable and painless steps to modify your default folder for awarding installation. This may assist y'all in making your system drive's space manageable and in control. Now move whatever of your large files, games, or software between storage drives in a few easy steps.

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