Change default installation path on Windows 7

If you would like to change the default Windows 7 installation path here’s how to do it.

Default value is set in the registry and it is set to C:\Program Files if you’re using 32-bit Operating System.

On the other hand, if you are using 64-bit Operating System, two values will be set as you can see in the picture below.

To navigate to this key do the following:

Hit Windows Logo | Type ‘Regedit’ and hit enter

Navigate to the following key:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion

In the right pane select the desired value to be changed.

Now, navigate to the following key:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion

In the right pane select the desired value to be changed.

Exit the registry editor.

This change requires copying contents in C:\Program Files (x86) and C:\Program Files to new locations. Make sure not to delete the currenty files and folders in C:\Program Files since you could have unwanted issues.

I wouldn’t recommend doing this change, but if you really have a good reason, do this immediately after you’ve made a clean Windows installation.