Is changing the default installation directories via the registry editor safe?

Question

I have recently purchased a small notebook (Trekstor Primebook), with only 32 GB of space on the C:\ drive. Attached, is an M.2 SSD with ~256 GB of storage that I would like to use as the default installation location for the majority of installed programs.

I have spent some time trying to figure out how to modify the location of the Windows installation directories (Program Files(x86) and Program Files) to be located on my attached SSD. Almost all I have found is telling me to modify the ProgramFilesDir(x86) and ProgramFilesDir values through regedit to the desired path, however, I am extremely wary of doing things like this.

Is this safe?

Answer 1

First, I don't recommend moving these sensitive folders, as you are taking a chance with the stability of your system and even with its ability to boot. It is much simpler to create folders with the same name on the D: drive, then just manually specifying these folders whenever you are installing a new product.

If you intend to follow up with this, then before doing such a drastic change, I suggest taking an image backup of the C: disk (do not store it on C:). My recommended utility is AOMEI Backupper Freeware. Create also its boot media and test that it boots and can see the backup file.

The procedure is as follows for Program Files :

• Move the existing C:\Program Files folder to D:\Program Files. You might encounter permission problems that you will have to solve.

• Run as Administrator the Command Prompt (cmd)

• Enter inside the command : CD \

• Then the command :

  mklink /D "Program Files" "D:\Program Files"
  

• Done.