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On Windows 7 (x64), Chrome is installed in:
C:\Users\userid\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\Application\
Is that better that Program Files? Is it a general best practice?
I suppose it's good (and more secure) to allow each user to have a separate app, but I'm surprised there isn't a C:\Users\userid\Program Files\ directory for that, like on Mac OS X.
xan
Posted 2011-08-10T17:58:15.143
Reputation: 245
16
It's so that Google can update the Chrome without asking for administrator privileges. Which, depending on your view can make it more secure or less.
Generally this is really not a best practice as much as it is a developer's decision. Historically developers didn't do it to save space on the disk but that's a moot point nowadays.
digitxp
Posted 2011-08-10T17:58:15.143
Reputation: 13 502
Maybe a moot point in your mind. – ZuberFowler – 2015-09-16T23:08:55.030
I think this decision was almost certainly made to try to reduce severe cases of PEBKAC from hindering Chrome's adoption by (l)users. – James T Snell – 2011-08-10T19:34:16.317
@Doc It's more the existence of IE than anything that's hindering the adoption of Chrome. – digitxp – 2011-08-10T19:52:38.650
2Naw, it's more the existence of ignorance than IE. – James T Snell – 2011-08-10T19:53:32.393
Problem In Chair Not In Computer PICNIC error. – Moab – 2011-08-10T21:38:18.093
That explanation is supported by the presence of old_chrome.exe in the same directory. – xan – 2011-08-11T13:13:06.850
> Why does Chrome install itself under user directory instead of Program files? I’ve been futilely asking myself this question for the past 20 years. – Synetech – 2011-08-15T03:38:57.697